Chapter 1
The loaf of bread hit the pavement with a dull splash.
Rainwater soaked through its golden crust almost instantly.
The little boy lunged toward it.
But before he could reach it...
A tiny girl crawled across the flooded sidewalk.
She was barefoot.
Shivering.
Her lips were blue from the cold.
Without saying a word...
She picked up the muddy loaf with both hands.
Not to eat it.
But to brush the dirt away for the boy.
Inside the bakery...
Customers watched through the window.
Some looked uncomfortable.
Others simply looked away.
The baker crossed his arms.
"If he wants bread..."
"He can pay for it."
The little boy lowered his head.
His stomach growled loudly enough to be heard even through the rain.
For nearly a minute...
Neither child moved.
The boy broke the loaf in half.
He pushed the larger piece into the little girl's hands.
She shook her head.
He insisted.
She finally accepted.
Neither smiled.
Hunger left little room for smiles.
At that moment...
A black luxury sedan pulled up beside the bakery.
A tall man in a charcoal-gray suit stepped out.
His polished shoes splashed into the puddles.
He paused.
Watching the children through the rain.
Something about them made him stop walking.
He entered the bakery.
The baker immediately recognized him.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Harrison."
"The usual?"
The man nodded.
"A fresh loaf."
"And..."
He glanced toward the display case.
"Everything those children might need."
The baker hesitated.
"The street kids?"
Mr. Harrison looked directly at him.
"Yes."
Minutes later...
He walked back outside carrying two warm paper bags.
Steam rose gently from the fresh bread inside.
He approached slowly so he wouldn't frighten them.
The little boy instinctively stepped in front of the little girl.
Protective.
Defiant.
Ready to defend the only person he had.
Even though he was no older than ten.
Mr. Harrison crouched until he was at eye level.
He held out the warm loaf.
"You don't have to eat the one from the puddle."
The boy stared suspiciously.
"Why?"
It was the first word he had spoken.
Mr. Harrison smiled gently.
"Because everyone deserves warm bread."
The little girl looked at the steaming loaf.
Then at the muddy one still clutched tightly in her hands.
She whispered,
"Can we keep both?"
Mr. Harrison nodded.
"Of course."
She smiled for the first time.
A tiny...
Fragile smile.
As the children ate...
Mr. Harrison quietly removed his suit jacket.
He wrapped it around the little girl's shoulders.
She looked up at him with frightened eyes.
"Thank you."
He gently brushed wet hair away from her face.
Then turned toward the boy.
"What's your name?"
The boy hesitated.
"...Eli."
"And your sister?"
"Mia."
Mr. Harrison smiled.
"They're beautiful names."
The boy shrugged.
"They're the only thing Mom left us."
At the mention of their mother...
Mr. Harrison noticed something hanging around Eli's neck.
A worn silver dog-tag necklace.
Almost hidden beneath the torn hoodie.
Rain washed away the dirt covering it.
The metal caught the light.
Mr. Harrison froze.
His breathing stopped.
Slowly...
He reached toward the necklace.
"May I?"
Eli instinctively stepped backward.
"It's mine."
"I wasn't going to take it."
Mr. Harrison whispered.
"I just..."
"I've seen it before."
The boy slowly lifted the necklace.
It was old.
Scratched.
Attached to it was a tiny silver cross.
And engraved into the back...
Were three faded letters.
L.M.H.
Mr. Harrison's hands began to tremble.
"No..."
He whispered.
"It can't be."
Twenty years of memories crashed into him.
A hospital corridor.
A crying young woman.
A newborn wrapped in a blue blanket.
A tiny silver necklace.
One made in duplicate.
One for each twin.
His heart pounded violently.
He looked at Eli.
Then whispered the question that changed everything.
"Where..."
"...did you get that necklace?"
Eli looked confused.
"It belonged to my mom."
"She told me..."
"...never to lose it."
Mr. Harrison's eyes filled with tears.
"What was your mother's name?"
The boy answered without hesitation.
"Laura."
The color drained from Mr. Harrison's face.
Because only one person in the world knew the meaning of those initials.
Laura Marie Harrison.
His younger sister.
The sister who had disappeared eleven years ago...
Without a trace.
Mr. Harrison dropped to his knees in the rain.
Staring at the necklace.
Then at the frightened little boy.
Finally whispering the words he never imagined he would say again.
May you like
"Eli..."
"...I think I'm your uncle."
