«She’s not gone,» the Black girl whispered, and the man’s heart lurched, disbelief giving way to a chilling truth as he dug deeper

«Your Wife Is Still Alive»the Black Girl Said —The Billionaire Immediately Launches an Investigation

Your wife is still alive, Thomas Beckett froze. The voice came from behind him quiet, childlike, yet so piercing that it sliced through the drizzle blanketing the memorial garden. Slowly, he turned to face the speaker.

A young black girl stood just beyond the circle of mourners. Her oversized hoodie clung to her thin frame, soaked from the rain. She couldn’t have been older than ten.

Her eyes were wide, serious. What did you say? Thomas asked, his voice cautious. I saw her, the girl said again.

Your wife, she’s not dead. One of his assistants chuckled under his breath. Let’s get Mr. Beckett out of the rain.

Quiet, Thomas snapped. The girl took a step forward. I was there the night she came out of the water.

She was bleeding, scared. They dragged her into a van. Thomas’s jaw clenched.

Little girl, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but my wife drowned in a storm off the coast. There were no survivors. We searched for weeks.

She survived, the girl insisted. I remember her. And what makes you so sure it was her? Thomas asked, folding his arms.

She had a scar, the girl said. A long one, across her left arm. Right here.

She traced from her elbow to her wrist. And short, platinum, blonde hair. She kept yelling your name.

Thomas’s heart lurched. Elena had gotten that scar in college falling through a greenhouse window during a student protest. She never liked to talk about it.

And that hair. After her chemotherapy, she kept it short, proud, and sharp as her spirit. Still, he shook his head.

That’s not possible. Yes it is, the girl snapped. They didn’t let her go.

A man he had a fake arm, like a plastic one. He was in charge. He told them to drag her.

I saw it all. Thomas’s breath caught. He stared hard at the girl.

What did this man look like? White. Tall. Gray beard.

Wore a long coat. He barked orders, like he was in the army or something. He told them, move her before anyone sees.

The girl’s voice shook now, not from fear but urgency. She saw me. Your wife looked right at me.

Her eyes were full of fear. But also, like she knew I could help. Thomas blinked away the raindrops or were they tears? Gathering in his lashes.

Part of him wanted to scream. To tell this child to stop torturing him with hope. But another partone he hadn’t let speak in months was listening.

She wore a necklace. The girl added quieter now. Gold.

With a heart. Two letters on it. E and B. Thomas felt the world tilt beneath his feet.

He hadn’t shared that detail with the press. No one had. That pendant had been a 10th anniversary gift.

Custom made. It had never left Elena’s neck. If that moment made your heart stop too you are not alone.

The girl reached into her hoodie pocket. From the folds, she pulled out a small handkerchief-like blue.

Rain-drenched. Trimmed with lace. It was fraying at the edges…