Daniel carried her downstairs and discovered a handwritten note taped to the refrigerator.
According to the note, Austin and his wife Monica had supposedly taken Mia’s older brother, Leo, to a last-minute baseball camp and would be gone for two weeks. Mia was instructed not to leave the house and was warned that strangers would take her away if she was seen outside.
Something felt terribly wrong.
Then Daniel noticed a loaf of moldy bread sitting on the counter.
When he tried opening the refrigerator, he discovered it had been chained shut with a heavy bicycle lock.
Mia quietly explained that her mother accused her of stealing food and said the groceries were only for Leo because he was “the important child.” Mother-daughterjewelry
Daniel’s anger turned cold.
Using bolt cutters from his truck, he removed the chain.
Inside the refrigerator were fresh groceries, fruit, milk, juice, and even a decorated vacation cake.
The food had never been scarce.
It had simply been kept away from Mia.
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