The late afternoon sun spilled golden warmth into the airy garden, where vibrant flowers danced with the breeze. Laughter echoed lightly across the yard as Lila , now a bright-eyed 10-years-old, chased butterflies barefoot under the gaze of her mother, Maria, who slipped her tea in thoughtful silence.
"Momma," the little girl suddenly said, curling up beside her on the bench. "Can I ask you something?"
Maria smiled gently. "Of course, baby."
"Why don't we ever talk about my funny aunty anymore? The one who always made me laugh."
Maria's smile froze slightly. She took a slow breath and looked at her daughter's innocent face.
"Some people," she said softly, "aren't meant to stay in our lives forever. Even if we love them... sometimes, they leave."
"But she didn't even say goodbye," Lila said quietly. "I miss her... and I think she missed me too."
Maria's heart squeezed. "I know, baby. Sometimes, people we love can't stay in our lives. And that doesn't mean we forget them. But we move on. We learn. And we remember the good parts."
The little girl looked down, her fingers twisting in her lap. "I still wanna find her someday. When I grow up, I'll ask her myself. I'll find her when I grow up. I promise mommy."
"She's still my Auntie Liz, right?" she asked further.
A sharp sting hits Maria's chest. For a long moment, she can't answer. She doesn't know what to say. But finally, she sighs and nods–just once.
"Yeah, baby. She is."
Maria paused, then reached out and gently tucked a chrk behind Lila's ear. "You're just like her, you know. Bold. Brilliant. Unshakeable."
11 Years Later
A mysterious city – modern, vibrant
In a sleek penthouse, a grown-up Lila now in her early 20s, sits confidently at a desk, tapping a pen against a manila file labeled: Liz Runbert – Last Known Location.
A voice behind her
"Miss Lila, are you sure about this?"
Lila—now a sharp, calculated young woman – leans back, smirking slightly as she looks out the window.
"I always keep my promises".
She flips open the file. A picture of Liz, older somewhere in a foreign country in another continent. A look of intrigue flickers in Lila eyes before she closes the file with a quiet snap.
Then she looked out at the city lights, eyes fierce, heart steady.
The story wasn't over.
It was only just beginning.