the 2-year-old kept pointing at her father’s coffin what happened next was shocking the heavy toll of the church bells echoed through St Gabriel’s Church a solemn Rhythm that mingled with muffled sobs and created an atmosphere thick with mourning the air was cold heavy with grief as Town’s folk filled the pews their faces pale and drawn under the weight of loss Emma stood silently beside her husband’s coffin her black barely concealing the tears streaming down her face in her arms she clutched Little Lily her 2-year-old daughter

whose small frame wriggled in distress her tiny fists pounding against her mother’s chest papa papa Lily sobbed her trembling fingers pointing at the polished Oak coffin where Noah Emma’s husband lay motionless Emma’s throat constricted painfully as she tried to soothe her daughter her hands gripped the the edge of her Black Veil trying to fight back the wave of emotions crashing over her just yesterday Noah had kissed her goodbye before heading to work his smile still Vivid in her mind and now he was gone around her the murmur of the

gathered MERS filled the church some spoke in hushed voices questioning how a healthy man like Noah could have died so suddenly others whispered about fate and Misfortune shaking their heads in disbelief among the crowd stood Elanor an elderly woman known for her wisdom and kind heart she stepped forward her cane tapping Softly on the church floor as she reached Emma’s side gently placing a weathered hand on Emma’s shoulder Eleanor whispered my dear are you sure Lily’s all right she seems unsettled Emma followed Eleanor’s gaze

and noticed Lily wide teary eyes fixed on a shadowy corner behind the coffin before she could speak Lily let out a piercing cry papa Papa’s trapped he’s calling for help the crowd gasped the church’s somber air thickened with unease people exchanged nervous glances some instinctively making the sign of the cross Eleanor’s eyes widened and she took a shaky step back God help us the child can see something we cannot Emma’s heart pounded her hands trembled as she crouched down to meet Lily’s Eyes sweetheart what do you mean where’s papa

Lily’s tiny finger jabbed at the dark corner again he’s there he scared mama before Emma could process Lily’s words the heavy Church doors creaked open a tall man in a black suit strowed in his polished shoes clicking against the stone floor it was Victor Noah’s cousin his face was a mask of practice sorrow but his dark eyes held something harder to read Emma Victor spoke in a deep deep gentle tone you must be exhausted we’re all heartbroken over Noah’s passing Emma offered a slight nod her energy nearly drained but Victor’s gaze shifted to

Lily who still pointed at the coffin children grieve in strange ways Victor continued his voice smooth but laced with an unsettling sharpness it’s best not to let her stir Panic people might get the wrong idea Emma stiffened at his words but tried to remain composed she’s just a child mourning her Father Victor side his sympathetic facade slipping I hate to bring this up now but Noah left some Financial issues behind the house perhaps it’s best to consider selling it to clear his debts Emma’s heart sank you’re already talking about this heun’s

not even buried yet I’m just thinking of you and Lily Victor said though there was a cold calculation behind his words before Emma could respond Lily tugg at her sleeve again Mama Pap is still here he’s calling me Victor’s face twitched just for a moment but it was enough Emma’s Instinct screamed that something was terribly wrong The Whispers around the church grew louder Elanor stepped closer her voice hushed children don’t lie about things like this sometimes they can see what adults can Emma felt her breath catch her mind was torn

between logic and the unsettling feeling that Lily was right Victor she said firmly if there’s even the slightest chance Noah isn’t Victor’s calm demeanor cracked you’re letting grief Cloud your mind there’s nothing in that coffin but your husband’s body but Lily’s Small Voice cut through his protest Papa’s knocking Mama He’s trapped at that moment a faint thud echoed from the coffin the church went still the sound was soft but undeniable people gasped some backing away from the coffin their faces haale with Terror did did you hear

that Eleanor whispered clutching her Rosary another thud louder this time Emma’s legs nearly gave out beneath her no Victor stepped forward quickly it’s the wood it’s normal just the coughin settling but no one believed him open it someone from the crowd whispered Victor’s face Twisted with Fury no one’s opening that coffin but the growing Panic was Unstoppable Emma’s hands trembled as she reached for the coffin lid but Victor lunged at her stop you don’t know what you’re doing get away from me Emma shouted pushing him aside

suddenly the church doors burst open again a man stumbled in out of breath his face flushed it was Ethan Noah’s closest friend Emma don’t bury him there’s been a mistake the entire church gasped Emma froze her hands still hovering over the coffin Ethan struggled to catch his breath the doctor who signed Noah’s death certificate wasn’t from the hospital I checked it’s a forgery the crowd erupted into chaos Emma’s mind raced pieces of the puzzle falling into Place Victor’s strange urgency about selling the house Lily’s

insistence that Noah was trapped and now a forged death certificate she turned to Victor her eyes blazing you did this Victor’s composure shattered I I didn’t mean to before he could finish a loud bang echoed from the coffin open it Emma screamed with the help of Ethan and another villager the coffin lid was finally Pride open Emma’s breath caught in her throat Noah’s chest Rose barely but it Rose his skin was ghostly pale his lips cracked but he was alive Emma collapsed in tears clutching his hand Noah I’m here we’re here little Lily

scrambled up beside her papa you’re back the church filled with sobs and gasps of disbelief paramedics summoned in the chaos rushed Noah to safety Victor meanwhile tried to slip away unnoticed but the villagers surrounded him his guilt was undeniable soon after police officers arrived handcuffing Victor as he screamed about innocence no one believed in weeks later as Noah recovered in the hospital Emma Sat by his side Lily asleep in her lap I heard you Noah whispered weakly when I was trapped I heard Lily calling me Emma

smiled through her tears she saved you no he replied gripping her hand you both did in the end Justice was served Victor was sentenced to prison for his crimes but more importantly Emma Noah and Lily were reunited longer than ever their love unshaken because sometimes the Pure Heart of a child sees what adults refuse to believe and sometimes love really does conquer all