“What did you say?”

The woman looked terrified now.

Not angry.

Terrified.

“No…” she whispered again. “This can’t be happening.”

The little girl took one small step forward.

“Do you know my mom?”

The woman slowly sat down as if her legs had stopped working.

Tears suddenly appeared in her eyes.

“Your mother wasn’t paid to stay away…” she said quietly.

The girl’s heart pounded.

“She was paid… to protect you.”

Confused whispers spread around the room.

The little girl’s voice shook.

“Protect me… from what?”

The elegant woman looked toward the restaurant windows.

Outside, across the street—

a black car had been sitting there the whole time.

Watching.

Watching only them.

The woman’s face turned white.

She stood up suddenly.

“Oh no…”

The little girl turned.

The black car door slowly opened.

And someone stepped out holding…

the exact same teddy bear.