Clara stared at the child in complete disbelief, her anger momentarily replaced by a cold wave of shock. "My mother died ten years ago, Lily," Clara said, her voice dropping into a shaky whisper. "You couldn't have met her in the garden. Stop making up stories!"
Ethan looked closely at the young girl's honest, terrified face, realizing that the child was far too frightened to be lying. He turned to Clara, placing his hand over hers where she held the watch. "Clara... look at the latch," Ethan urged quietly, his voice steady yet filled with sudden curiosity. "Your mother died years ago, but someone physical handed her this watch today. You have to open it."
Clara’s fingers trembled as she pressed the small gold release button at the top of the timepiece. With a soft, sharp click, the front cover sprang open, revealing an empty black velvet interior where a family portrait usually sat. But tucked behind the velvet lining was a tiny, folded piece of parchment paper with fresh ink written across the surface.
"Where did you see her?" Clara asked, her voice breathless as she looked up from the watch to the flower girl. "Where did you see the woman who gave you this?" Lily pointed her small finger toward the French doors leading out to the sunlit estate gardens, her sobbing finally slowing down.