Another year had passed, and the village was calm under the warm sunlight. Tomorrow was a very special day—Ella's second birthday. Hannah could hardly contain her excitement as she sat beside her daughter, brushing her hair gently.
"Ella, guess what?" Hannah whispered, smiling brightly. "Tomorrow, we will have a birthday cake just for you! A special cake with candles. I promise it will be beautiful."
Ella's eyes sparkled, her tiny hands clapping together. "Cake! Cake, mom!" she exclaimed with delight, giggling.
Hannah laughed softly, her heart full. "Yes, my little light. And Rachel will help us too. She promised to bring something special for your birthday."
The evening passed with Hannah telling Ella stories about birthdays, about fun, laughter, and the joy of celebrating life. Ella listened, her eyes wide with wonder, occasionally interrupting to giggle or ask questions about the cake.
Hannah tucked her daughter into bed, holding her close. "Sleep well, my little Ella. Tomorrow will be the happiest day yet. I promise," she whispered, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
Outside, the village was quiet, but inside the small home, hope and love filled the air. Hannah's heart swelled with happiness. For her, seeing Ella smile, hearing her laughter, and knowing she was growing healthy and strong was the greatest gift of all.
Tomorrow would be a day to remember—a celebration of life, love, and the precious little girl who had brought light back into Hannah's world.
Far away in the city, David sat at his desk. It was night already, a calm night , but inside, he felt a storm.
"She is so beautiful… my daughter," he whispered. "She will be just like her mother… strong, brave, and smart. And Hannah… she is keeping her from me. I will not lose her. Not now. Not ever."
David stood up. "Tomorrow… I will go to the village. I will see her. I will take Ella with me," he said to himself.
He knew it would not be easy. Hannah was strong, and she loved Ella very much. But that did not stop him.
David started planning quietly,He packed his bag, checked the roads, and thought of every little detail. Everything had to be perfect.
By the next day, early in the morning he would be on his way to the village. Hannah and Ella had no idea he was coming. They were busy planning Ella's birthday, full of happiness, not knowing that trouble was near.
David smiled, but it was not a happy smile. It was a cold, determined smile. "I will have her… no matter what," he said, his voice low and firm.
The sun rose gently over the village, painting the sky with soft pinks and golds. Inside her small home, Hannah was already awake, humming softly as she prepared a simple breakfast for Ella.
Ella stirred in her little bed, blinking sleepily at the morning light. "Mommy… morning!" she said, stretching her tiny arms.
Hannah smiled warmly, scooping her daughter into her arms. "Good morning, my love. Today is a very special day—you are turning two!"
Ella's eyes widened with excitement. "Two! Cake? " she asked eagerly.
"Yes, my love," Hannah said, brushing her hair gently. "Today, we will have a birthday cake just for you. Rachel is helping me too. You will see—everything will be perfect."
They spent the morning playing together, laughing and telling little stories. Hannah sang softly, tickling Ella's tiny hands and listening to her giggles fill the room. It was a morning full of love, warmth, and happiness—the kind of morning every mother dreams of sharing with her child.
Outside, the village was calm, the air filled with the soft sounds of life. But far away, in the city, David was already on his way. He had made his plan. Soon, he would be to the village, unaware that Hannah and Ella were celebrating a day full of joy.
Inside the small home, Hannah kissed Ella's forehead. "You are my light, my joy, my little star," she whispered. "I will always protect you, my baby. Always."
And as Ella laughed, spinning around in the small room, Hannah felt a deep happiness in her heart—unaware that danger was quietly approaching, carried by the man who had once walked away.
Ella fell asleep and Hannah saw that was a good chance for her to get prepared for the birthday
"Wait here, my little one," Hannah said, smiling. "Mom will be right back."
She left the small home to take a quick shower, leaving Ella sleeping peacefully. What she didn't know was that David had already arrived in the village. Quietly, he had sneaked close to her home, watching and waiting for the right moment.
As Hannah entered the bathroom, David moved fast. He opened the door silently, grabbed Ella from her sleeping place, and ran. The little girl let out a small cry, but David held her tightly, moving quickly through the village.
He reached his car, placed Ella inside, and started the engine. Within minutes, the streets swallowed him, taking him—and Hannah's daughter—away from the village.
Five minutes later, Rachel arrived at Hannah's home carrying the cake and birthday gifts. She called out cheerfully, "Hannah! I'm here!"
But the house was quiet. No Hannah, no Ella. Rachel froze, confused. She looked around, searching, and then shouted, "Hannah!?
Hannah was still outside, showering, completely unaware of the chaos. Rachel's mind raced. Where could they be? she wondered.
A few minutes later, Hannah finished bathing and stepped inside, wrapped in a towel. She found only Rachel sitting quietly in the living room. She looked around, smiling at the thought of celebrating with Ella, she took her clothes wore them and went to look Ella in her small bed —and froze.
"Ella?" she called softly. But the room was empty. The bed was neat, toys were scattered on the floor, but her daughter… her baby… was gone.
"Rachel… where is Ella?" Hannah asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Rachel looked up, her face showing concern. "I was going to ask you the same thing," she said softly. "I came here, but I didn't find anyone. I thought maybe… maybe you went out with her?"
Hannah's chest tightened. A cold wave of fear washed over her. "No… I didn't. I left her for a few minutes. She should be here!"
A cold, sharp fear filled her chest. Her heart pounded as she ran outside with confusion. The streets were empty. The village was quiet. And Hannah realized, with a shock she could not describe, that maybe someone had taken her little girl.
Her mind raced. Who? How? Where?
Tears filled her eyes as she whispered, "No… no… Ella!"
Hannah had never felt such fear, such helplessness. The happiness of the morning had vanished in an instant.
Hannah screamed, her voice shattering the quiet morning. "ELLA! ELLA!"
Rachel was beside her . Hannah pointed wildly toward the empty house. "Someone… someone took her! Ella is gone!" Hannah cried, tears streaming down her face.
Rachel held her shoulders. "Calm down, Hannah! Take deep breaths!" she shouted, but Hannah could not stop screaming. Her body shook, her strength giving out.
Within moments, Hannah collapsed, fainting from fear and exhaustion. Rachel caught her immediately, lowering her carefully to the ground. "Stay with me, Hannah. Nothing will happen to Ella," Rachel whispered, stroking her hair.
People from nearby houses came running, drawn by Hannah's cries. Rachel stayed by her side the entire time, refusing to let anyone take her attention away. "We have to go to the dispensary, now!" she said firmly, One man who was Hannah's neighbor lifted Hannah into his arms.
The villagers moved aside, watching in alarm as Rachel and the neighbor ran toward the dispensary, holding Hannah tightly.
When they reached at the dispensary, nurses rushed to help, giving Hannah water and checking her pulse.
Rachel stayed close, never leaving Hannah's side, whispering, "You're safe now… we will find Ella, I promise."
Meanwhile, far away, David drove steadily, holding Ella in the car. He had no idea of the chaos he had caused back in the village.
Hannah slowly opened her eyes. The white ceiling of the dispensary came into view, and for a moment, she felt lost. Then everything rushed back to her—the empty house, her little girl's cry, and the terrible truth.
"Ella…" she whispered, sitting up suddenly. Her chest tightened, and tears filled her eyes. "Where is my baby? Where is Ella?"
Rachel, who was sitting by her side, held her hand tightly. "Hannah, please calm down," she begged, tears in her own eyes. "We will find her. Don't lose hope."
But Hannah shook her head violently. "No, Rachel! He took her. I know it… David took my baby!" Her voice broke as sobs poured out of her. She held her stomach and bent forward, the pain of loss tearing through her.
The nurse stepped closer with a bottle of water. "You must rest, Hannah. , for your health."
But Hannah pushed it away, crying harder. "How can I rest when my baby is gone? How can I breathe without her?" Her voice was hoarse, filled with grief.
Rachel wrapped her arms around Hannah, holding her like a sister. "You are not alone. I'm here. We will find Ella," she whispered firmly, though her own tears would not stop falling.
The room was quiet except for Hannah's cries. Outside, villagers stood in small groups, whispering in shock, the whole village shaken by what had happened.
Meanwhile, far away on the road, a car engine roared steadily. Inside, David sat behind the wheel, glancing at Ella through the mirror. She was crying softly, confused and scared.
David's jaw tightened. "Don't cry, little one," he murmured. "You are mine now. And nothing will take you away from me again."
Back in the dispensary, Hannah lifted her tear-stained face to the ceiling. With a trembling voice, she whispered, "God, please… bring my baby back to me."
Late in the evening, David's car stopped in front of his big house in the city. He stepped out quickly, carrying Ella in his arms. The little girl's eyes were red from crying, her face pressed against his shoulder.
Victoria, his wife, came rushing to the door when she heard the car. She froze the moment she saw David holding a small child. Her eyes widened in shock.
"David… who is this?" she asked, her voice tight with confusion.
David shifted uneasily, forcing a calm tone. "I… I don't know her name," he said quickly. "I found her by the roadside. She was crying, alone. I couldn't just leave her there to suffer."
Victoria stared at him in disbelief. "You don't even know her name? And you just brought her home?, Just like that? Without calling the police? Without asking anyone?"
"Yes," David replied firmly. "She is too small, Victoria. I couldn't turn my back on her. "If I left her there, maybe she would have died. We can give her a home, food, love. You know we have enough. It is the right thing to do."
From today, we will call her Felicity. She will live here with us."
Victoria looked at the child again. Ella—now called Felicity—clung tightly to David, her small body trembling.
"She looks so scared," she whispered, then turned to David. "But are you sure about this? Bringing a strange child into our home?"
David nodded without hesitation. "She is safe with us now. That is what matters."
Victoria's hands clenched at her sides. She nodded slowly, pretending to accept the situation, but inside, anger and jealousy churned like fire.
She reached out gently and stroked the little girl's hair. "Welcome, Felicity," she said softly.
David handed Felicity over to Victoria. "Can you take care of her for now? I need to attend to some work," he said, trusting her as he always did.
Victoria lifted Felicity gently, hiding her irritation behind a practiced smile. "Of course," she said, her tone soft, but every step she took carried tension.
David exhaled slowly, hiding the storm inside him. He had lied to his wife, stolen a child, and broken a mother's heart. But in his mind, he whispered to himself—She is mine. No one will ever take her from me again.
Victoria brought Felicity to Isabelle's room. Isabelle, their four-year-old, looked up with wide, curious eyes. "Who is she, Mom?" she asked innocently.
Victoria forced a sweet smile. "This is Felicity. She's going to visit us for a little while," she said, trying to keep her voice light. Inside, though, her heart tightened. She couldn't feel joy at the sight of the child.
After letting Isabelle observe for a moment, Victoria carried Felicity to the bathroom. She undressed her carefully, spoke softly as if comforting her, and helped her wash. Every movement was perfect, but her heart was far from warm. She did it dutifully, but inside, resentment brewed.
Once Felicity was clean, Victoria dressed her in fresh clothes. She placed a small bow in the little girl's hair, smiling at the reflection in the mirror. Yet behind that smile, her mind replayed the thoughts she could not say aloud:
We have a child of our own… but he went and picked up a street child and brought her into our home? Who is she? How dare she enter here and take space in David's heart? This can't be real. This isn't fair!