The lock broke with one loud crack.

The sound echoed through the bakery.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody moved.

Olivia opened the door.

Cold air rushed out.

A hidden staircase led underground.

Emma grabbed Olivia’s hand.

“Is my sister down there?”

Olivia looked at her.

She wanted to say yes.

She wanted to give the child hope.

But she couldn’t lie.

“We’re going to find out.”

They walked down.

The basement was dark.

Old boxes covered the walls.

But something caught Olivia’s attention.

A table.

A chair.

A phone.

And dozens of photographs.

Pictures of missing girls.

Emma covered her mouth.

“Oh my God…”

Frank stood at the top of the stairs.

His face had lost all color.

“I can explain.”

Olivia turned.

“Then start talking.”

Frank stayed silent.

Because there was nowhere left to hide.

Finally, he whispered:

“I never hurt them.”

Olivia narrowed her eyes.

“Then why were they here?”

Frank looked away.

“Because someone else was using my bakery.”

Everyone froze.

“Who?”

Frank swallowed.

“My business partner.”

A name nobody expected.

“Daniel Cross.”

The man who supplied every bakery in town.

A respected businessman.

A man everyone trusted.

Frank continued.

“He used the basement to hide evidence. When I found out, he threatened my family.”

Emma stepped closer.

“My sister…”

Frank looked at her.

His eyes filled with guilt.

“Your sister found the room.”

Emma froze.

“She was trying to help the others.”

Olivia immediately turned.

“Where is Lily now?”

Frank looked toward the old wall.

“There was another exit.”

The room went silent.

Because if Lily escaped…

Someone else helped her.

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And that person was still out there.

TO BE CONTINUED…