A second zipper.
Smaller.
Hidden deeper.
Almost invisible unless the ribbon fell exactly the right way.
Owen leaned forward, eyes wide.
“I didn’t know Captain had another pocket,” he whispered.
Nathan stepped closer, all color draining from his face.
Elise was still speaking in my ear.
“Ryker? What happened?”
I looked at the children, at Nathan, at the bear Evan had trusted with more than one secret.
Then Lily opened the second pocket.
Inside was a tiny folded note.
Not in Evan’s handwriting.
In a woman’s.
Lily unfolded it before anyone could stop her, and her face changed as she read the first line aloud.
“My sweet Lily and Owen… if you find this, please know Mommy never left you by choice.”
