Emma's hands trembled violently, and Evelyn placed her other hand over them, steadying her.
"We tried to find her. But that time, there were no cell phones. No digital records... I mean, those cameras on the street. Nicholas used his power in the military and the government. He searched everywhere."
Emma paused for a moment before continuing, "But we still can't find her..." she whispered.
"Did great-grandpa... regret it?"
"Hmm... He regretted everything. It changed him. He found humility in loss. He learned that pride can be the cruelest cage. But we could not undo what was done."
The fire cracked. A log split. The sound made the silence feel deeper.
"We waited," Emma continued. "Days. Months. Years. She did not return. She vanished. Completely. We even placed announcements in the newspaper. One said I was severely ill. Hoping she would come home. Hoping she would see that. But she did not come back."
