Chapter 1616

Stella said, "All I need to know is that Emma is still out there, alive and kicking. Even if she doesn't want to reconnect with us, that's okay. As long as she's safe." Abigail pondered for a moment. "You're making quite the splash with your movie shoot in their town. If the person you saw really is Emma, and she wants to reconnect, let's leave a secret sign. She'll probably reach out to you. Otherwise, we'll just discreetly confirm it's her and not stir up any trouble." Stella nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll follow your lead." But before they could set their plan in motion, just as Stella and Abigail returned to their hotel, a young boy approached them. "Miss, this is for you," he said as he handed Stella a letter. Stella took the letter, a bit surprised. "Hey, kid, did Ms. O'Neill ask you to give this to me?" The boy's eyes widened in shock. "How did you know that? I didn't say anything!" Stella chuckled and playfully pinched the boy's cheek. "Because I'm a fairy from the heavens—that's how I know." The boy's eyes grew even wider in astonishment. "You really are a fairy! Everyone in our village was saying you're as beautiful as a celestial fairy. Turns out, it's true." Stella beamed with delight at the compliment. She pinched the boy's rosy cheek again. "Kid, your village is several miles from here; how are you getting back?" The boy pointed to a young woman not far away, waiting for him. "My sister is over there waiting for me. Bye, fairy!" With a bright smile, he scampered off. Stella immediately tore open the envelope, her hands trembling with excitement as she read the contents. "Abigail, check this out. It's really..." She glanced around cautiously before whispering, "It's really Emma. Emma isn't dead. She's alive and well." Abigail scanned the contents of the letter, her excitement matching Stella's. "This is fantastic!" Stella was resolute. "Emma wants to meet us. Let's go now." Abigail said, "Let's gear up in your room first, then head out quietly." "Got it." Stella quickly checked the address on her GPS app. "Emma's rendezvous point is at a nearby farmstead, about two miles away. We can hoof it." Abigail agreed, "Then let's walk." For safety, Stella and Abigail disguised themselves and slipped out of the hotel, opting to walk to the designated location. The darkness of the night and the rough terrain made their journey tough, taking them about forty minutes to reach their destination. Surrounded by farmlands shrouded in darkness, the only light came from the porch light at the farmstead's entrance. Cautiously scanning the area, Stella and Abigail made their way toward the light. As they got closer, they spotted a figure standing by the fence near the porch light, smiling warmly at them. The person they had been dreaming of was right in front of them, yet Stella and Abigail found themselves frozen, too scared to move forward, fearing this might be just another dream. Seeing them hesitate, Emma walked toward them and took their hands. "What's wrong? Shocked to see someone you thought was dead?" Her hands were warm, undeniably real. In that moment, Stella and Abigail dared to believe that the woman standing before them was indeed Emma. Overwhelmed with emotion, they both embraced her tightly. "Emma, is it really you?" Emma wrapped her arms around them. "Yes, it's me. I'm alive, not dead," she affirmed. Abigail and Stella released Emma, looking her over and touching her to reconfirm her presence, before embracing her again. "You're alive! It's incredible!" Emma smiled. "Yes, I'm still here." In the distance, a man lurked in the shadows, his eyes glaring at Emma with an intensity so fierce it seemed they could bleed.