Chapter 220

"Little girl, your mom is waiting for you up ahead."

A strange woman suddenly grabbed my hand, her smile so warm it sent chills down my spine. I instinctively tried to pull away, but her grip only tightened.

"Are you mistaken, ma'am?" I forced calm into my voice, though my eyes darted around nervously.

The mall buzzed with noise, yet no one noticed the disturbance in the corner. The woman's fingers dug into my skin, her nails nearly breaking flesh.

"Don't be difficult. Mommy will buy you a new dress," she whispered, her tone laced with threat.

My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. Spotting a uniformed guard nearby, I stomped hard on her foot.

"Help! I don't know her!"

My scream cut through the crowd. The woman's face twisted before she released me and bolted. By the time the guard arrived, she had vanished.

I collapsed to the floor, my back drenched in cold sweat. That was close—too close.

"Emily, stay for dinner," Mary Stone said as she sorted vegetables. Since the family had divided their property, neither Robert's nor William's family had been invited for meals. She had once thought her third daughter-in-law was too stubborn, but now she realized she'd misjudged her.

"Thank you, Mom." Emily rubbed her sore back. After a long day, she didn’t feel like cooking and had planned to make do with a simple meal. A hot dinner was more than welcome.

The sound of children’s laughter filled the house. David was animatedly telling Tommy about their trip to town, proudly showing off a new picture book. The two boys huddled together, completely absorbed.

The gate creaked open as John Stone Sr. returned, dust covering his clothes.

"Dad!" Emily hurried to meet him.

John brushed off the dirt. "What is it?"

"David and I were almost kidnapped today," Emily said bluntly.

"What?!" His pipe clattered to the ground.

Emily quickly recounted the day’s events. Her voice trembled when she reached the most harrowing part. "Dad, with the New Year approaching, kidnappers will be more active. Shouldn’t the brigade organize an anti-abduction campaign?"

She paused, her tone grave. "Today it was just one person, but if it had been a group..." She left the rest unsaid, but the implication was clear.

John’s face darkened. Emily wasn’t one to exaggerate—this was likely true. The thought of nearly losing his grandson sent a chill down his spine.

"Prepare a list of key points. I’ll call a meeting with the brigade leaders tomorrow."

After dinner, Emily walked home with the boys. Tommy clung tightly to her sleeve, and even David was more clingy than usual. Both insisted on sleeping with her that night, and she didn’t refuse.

"It’s okay, Mommy’s here," she murmured, patting their backs and humming a lullaby. Once their breathing steadied, she lay awake for hours.

The anti-abduction campaign needed to be straightforward but impactful—otherwise, the villagers wouldn’t take it seriously.

The next morning, Emily sat down to draft the guidelines. When she finished, she quizzed the boys.

"Do you take candy from strangers?"

"No!" David answered firmly.

"Good. It could be drugged, and you’d never see Mommy or Daddy again," she added sternly.

"What if someone says they’ll take you somewhere fun?"

"Don’t go!" they chorused.

Tommy suddenly buried his face in her chest. "Mommy, there are so many bad people outside."

Her heart ached as she stroked his hair. "That’s why you must remember what I’ve taught you."

"Do you know where we live?"

The boys blinked in confusion. Emily realized they didn’t yet understand the concept of an address. Safety education was going to be a long process...