I want to say this, but I won't. I'm too old to be fooled—Tim Frost can't take me away from the orphanage. He won't be allowed to be my guardian, as Emma Smith once explained to me."If only he were married, then maybe, but as it is, he's a man, and you're a little girl. No one will trust him with you!"If Tim ever marries someone else, I'll die of grief that very day. I told Emma so, and she turned completely white. I should stay here and let him wait until I turn eighteen and leave the orphanage."Look what's in there," Tim said, nodding at the box. I open it and gasp softly. There are little earrings with real stones. They're tiny, but they sparkle like real stars."Thank you!" I whisper, touched, and hug him again.He smells of something familiar and warm. Like home. Tim strokes my head, and I could stand there forever. All eight years are left.I want Tim to put the earrings in my ears, but Emma Smith sits down next to me and starts helping me."Tim," Anna Stevenson says as she p
Last Updated : 2026-02-01 Read more