Emma’s mind raced as she heard the familiar sound of her mother’s car pulling into the driveway. She felt a surge of urgency. Whatever Aunt Caroline had slipped into Laura’s coat was likely crucial, and Emma needed to find a way to alert her mother without drawing her aunt’s suspicion.

She quickly moved from her bedroom door back to her bed, trying to ensure she looked convincingly sick when Laura entered the house. Her heart was pounding, and her hands were clammy, but she knew she had to stay calm. As much as she wanted to rush to her mother with everything she had witnessed, Emma understood the importance of handling this delicately.

The front door opened, and Emma could hear the familiar clatter of her mother’s keys being tossed onto the table. Laura called out, “Emma, are you alright, honey?” There was a pause, and Emma could sense her mother was heading straight for her coat.

Emma gathered her courage and called out, “Mom!” louder than she intended. Laura immediately diverted her path and hurried toward Emma’s room, concern etched on her face.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Laura asked, kneeling by the bed and feeling Emma’s forehead again. Emma hesitated, trying to find the right words.

“I… I saw Aunt Caroline earlier,” Emma started, her voice shaky. “She came in and put something in your coat pocket. I think it might be important.”

Laura frowned, confusion mixed with worry. “Are you sure, Emma? Caroline didn’t say she was stopping by.”

Emma nodded vigorously, eyes wide. “She also made a phone call. She said you could call the police tonight, and that someone wouldn’t suspect a thing.”

Laura’s expression shifted from concern to alarm. She stood up quickly and strode to the entrance where her coat hung. Emma followed her cautiously, watching as Laura reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the envelope.

Laura’s hands were steady but tense as she carefully opened the envelope. Emma watched her mother’s face as she skimmed the contents—a series of documents and a small flash drive. Emma could see her mother’s face turn pale.

“Emma, go to your room and close the door, please,” Laura instructed, her voice firm but kind. “I need to make a phone call.”

Emma obeyed, understanding the gravity of the situation. She could hear her mother speaking on the phone with a controlled urgency; the words “lawyer” and “evidence” stood out.

Back in her room, Emma lay on her bed, her mind swirling with the possible implications of what she had witnessed. It felt surreal, like a scene from a mystery novel, except this was real life, and it involved her family. She wished she understood more, but she also knew she had done the right thing by telling her mother.

Hours passed, and the house gradually filled with the soft hum of evening. Eventually, Laura entered Emma’s room, looking tired but relieved. She sat on the edge of the bed and took Emma’s hand.

“Emma, thank you for telling me what you saw today,” Laura said softly. “You did the right thing.”

Emma nodded, feeling the weight of her unexpected role in whatever scheme had been uncovered. She had helped uncover a secret, one that was hopefully now on its way to being resolved.