Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 109

As their car rolled into downtown, a little girl darted across the street, paying no heed to the red light. Ethan stomped on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt just a few feet away from her.

The little girl ended up on her knees on the ground, frozen in fear. Ines, equally startled, jumped out of the car and scooped her up from the middle of the street while Ethan pulled over.

"Hey kiddo, are you hurt?" Ines gave her a once-over, finding only some scraped skin on her knees.

Tears welled up in the little girl's eyes as she bit her lip, silently looking at Ines.

"How's she doing, Izzy?" Ethan asked.

Ines shook her head at Ethan, "Not sure. I saw some scrapes on her knees, but I can't tell if there's anything else. She won't talk to me."

Ethan gave her head a little pat, "Honey, can you tell me if anything else hurts?"

The girl glanced from Ethan to Ines, then bowed her head.

"Do you think she can't speak?" Ethan looked at Ines puzzled.

"Maybe we should just take her to the hospital? Let the doctor give her a full check-up." Ethan suggested.

Before Ines could respond, the girl burst into tears, "No hospital, no shots!"

Seeing her upset, Ines immediately cradled the girl in her arms and started to soothe her, "Okay, we won't go to the hospital. But you gotta tell me if anything else hurts, okay?"

Through sobs, the girl stuttered, "N-nothing else... just my knee." Ines let out a sigh of relief, "If it doesn't hurt, no shots. But we still need a doctor to check on you, okay? Your mom and dad need to know you're okay. We can't have them worried. Can you tell me where you live? After the check-up, we can drop you off."

"My parents won't worry. They're getting a divorce. I hate them!" The girl scrunched up her nose, clearly upset.

Ines and Ethan shared a look. Ethan said, "For now, let's just take her to the hospital for a check-up. Once she's calmed down, we can ask her where she lives."

"No, I won't go to the hospital." The girl shook her head as soon as she heard 'hospital'.

"Sweetie, I promise we won't let the doctor give you a shot, just a check-up." Ines said.

She nodded through her tears, "Okay, but you can't lie to kids."

Ines nodded in agreement, "I won't lie to you, promise."

Ines tried to lift her up, but was surprised by how heavy the girl was. Ethan took the girl from her with a laugh, "I got this."

The girl glanced at Ethan and quickly pecked his cheek, saying softly, "Thank you."

Ines sighed, remembering the girl's earlier words about her parents divorcing.

Ethan and Ines had barely arrived back at the scene when they saw a man and a woman arguing. Ines instantly recognized the woman as her boss, Amelia. She glanced down at the girl in her arms, who was on the verge of tears watching the arguing couple. By now, Ines was certain that Naomi was Amelia's daughter. No wonder the name sounded familiar, she'd heard Amelia mention it on a phone call.

"Izzy, you know her?" Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"She's my boss at work." Ines said.

Ines looked at the quiet girl and said, "Naomi, there are no parents who don't love their child. Your mom must love you very much, and she's working hard to give you a better life."

Naomi didn't respond, just pursed her lips and remained silent.

Ethan parked the car and got out with Naomi.

"Amelia, is this how you take care of your daughter? Naomi's been with you for just one day and she's already gone missing. What do you have to say for yourself?" A man named Leo accused her.

"Right now, the most urgent thing is to find our daughter, not argue." Amelia said frantically.

"And where do you suggest we should search first? You never pay any attention to her." Just then, a clear voice rang out, "Mom, Dad, I'm here."