Chapter 2
She forgot half the words and replaced them with nonsense.
Ellie laughed anyway.
Hannah stopped polishing the desk long enough to kiss her daughter's forehead.
Ethan placed his phone facedown.
He didn't understand why.
Inside the office, Hannah moved toward the bookshelf.
That was when Ellie discovered she could reach the floor.
One socked foot escaped the blanket.
Then the other.
Within seconds, she had twisted sideways, wriggled out of the loose stroller strap and lowered herself onto the carpet.
“Honey, no—”
Hannah turned too late.
Ellie crawled toward a low walnut cabinet.
On its bottom shelf sat a small wooden music box.
It was half-hidden behind old annual reports.
Covered in dust.
Untouched for years.
Ellie pulled herself upright.
“Ellie.”
Her fingers closed around the box.
“Baby, don't—”
It fell.
The lid sprang open.
A delicate version of Silent Night filled the office.
Hannah froze.
So did Ethan.
May you like
Ellie clapped.
Then the music stopped halfway through a line......
