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For the first time in ages I felt my lips curved in a real smile, I took her hands gently.

Maybe because I still wanted to convince myself that this little miracle was real.

Her eyes widened almost comically as if she'd just remembered something

"Oops momma said not to talk to strangers.."she gasped covering her mouth with both her little hands, I wouldn't lie it was one hell of a cute sight.I couldn't help but chuckle aloud to it.

"She's right, you should have listened to her Hazel"

A tiny furrow settled on her forehead as she clasped my hand tightly like she's known me ever since and not just for the last ten minutes.

"But I still want to know your name "

She was definitely a curious one.

"Hayden .You can call me that " I replied

She smiled up at me triumphantly as if she'd just gotten the best news of her entire life.

"Then I'll call you uncle Hayden!" she exclaimed

"I would like that very much Hazel "

"Can we be friends?" she offered ,extending her much smaller hands.

Once again my throat clogged up tightly with raw emotions.Was she this friendly and trusting towards everyone or was it just me?

I slowly searched around with my gaze but there was still no one in sight.

"Where is your mother ?"

"You know my mother?" She asked curiously.

"I'm uh..an old friend of hers paying a little visit "

"You are going to give her a surprise?, but she's not home yet " She spoke, eagerly taking a look around.

The corners of my lips twitched.Surprise wasn't the word for it.

The word shock wouldn't even be able to describe it.

"Hazel would you like to go somewhere with me?"

GRACIE

Three days..

It's been three days since I returned.

I had escaped from his grasp that night while he was still knocked out, I could call it sheer luck or a miracle .Since that day no matter how hard i tried i couldn't erase the gnawing feeling of dread that settled in the deepest pit of my stomach .

That it wasn't over yet...

I've been continually spacing out ever since then , watching my back every five seconds.

I wasn't able to find my purse, I concluded that it must have fallen somewhere around the road when Ashley had drugged me .

I refused to let myself think about the consequences it was by any chance left inside the mansion .