She recognized him too.

Jonathan Hale. A tech billionaire whose name filled business magazines and charity events across the country. A man used to commanding rooms, controlling outcomes.

Tonight, he had none of that.

“Is the kitchen still open?” he asked, his voice cracking. “My daughter hasn’t eaten in two days.”

A Child Who Looked Awake but Not Present

Naomi set the glass down and stepped closer.

She knelt so she could see the child properly.

The girl was small, fragile-looking, with large brown eyes that stared straight ahead without blinking. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t sleeping.

She looked… guarded.

Not sick.

Afraid.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Naomi said softly. “My name’s Naomi. What would you like to eat?”

The girl didn’t respond.

Instead, she slowly lifted one hand and touched her throat, her eyes filling with something that wasn’t pain, but desperation.

Jonathan exhaled shakily.