Two hours later, a sleek black SUV pulled into the parking lot of St. Jude's Care Home in Burlington. Police cruisers with flashing lights were parked near the front entrance.
Marcus stepped out of the vehicle, holding Lily securely in his arms. Detective Miller met him at the glass doors.
Detective Miller: Marcus, we secured the facility. The staff had no idea what was happening—Sabrina was paying the chief administrator two hundred thousand dollars a year to keep Hannah under heavy sedation.
Marcus: Is Hannah okay? Is she hurt?
Detective Miller: She's awake, Marcus. The doctors stopped the medication as soon as we arrived. She's weak, but she's completely clear-headed.
Marcus took a deep breath, his heart pounding against his ribs as he carried Lily down the long, quiet hallway toward Room 204.
He pushed the door open softly. The room was simple, lit by warm sunlight pouring through a single window. Sitting on the edge of the white hospital bed was a thin woman with long brown hair, wearing a grey sweater.
Hannah: Marcus...?
Her voice was quiet, raspy, and trembling with emotion. Marcus walked forward, his eyes filling with tears as he looked at the woman he thought he had lost three years ago.
Marcus: Hannah... oh God, Hannah.
Hannah: Is that... is that my baby girl?
Lily leaned forward from Marcus's shoulder, her little eyes widening as she recognized the soft face in front of her.
Lily: Mommy! Mommy!
Hannah: Lily! My baby!
Hannah reached her thin arms out, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as Marcus placed Lily gently onto the bed beside her. Hannah pulled the little girl close to her chest, kissing her hair, her forehead, and her cheeks over and over again.
Hannah: I missed you so much, baby! Mommy never forgot about you, I promise! I promise!
Lily: I drew you a picture, Mommy! Elena kept it for me in her pocket!
Marcus sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to hold Hannah's hand tightly in his own.
Marcus: I'm so sorry, Hannah. I'm so sorry I didn't find you sooner. I believed her lies...
Hannah: You found us, Marcus. You brought my baby back to me.
Marcus: Sabrina is in police custody right now. She will spend the rest of her life behind bars for what she did to you and Lily.
Hannah wiped her eyes, looking up at Marcus with a soft, forgiving smile.
Hannah: All that matters is that we are together now. Our family is finally safe.