“As many as I can afford.”

Jenna listened patiently as Laura explained about Emily’s disappearance. They settled on three banners placed along the busiest highways in the area. Jenna offered a compassionate discount, touched by Laura’s story, which she had pieced together from Laura’s brief, poignant explanations.

The design was simple—a blown-up version of Emily’s photograph, her smile frozen in time, and the words “Forever missed, forever loved” in bold, impossible-to-ignore letters. Beneath that, “If you know something, say something,” followed by a hotline number.

Every time Laura looked at those billboards, a spark of hope ignited in her. Her friends and family thought the advertisements were meant to provide her with peace. But Laura didn’t need peace. She wanted her daughter.

Laura hoped someone would call her and tell her Emily was found. As days passed, she did receive a lot of calls. But it was just those well-wishers.

One day, Richard just lost it. “All our savings are gone, Laura! Just because you plastered her face all across the city!”

“So?” Laura retorted. “What do you expect me to do, Richard? Just forget about our daughter? I want to keep her memory alive!”

Laura and Richard’s argument was cut short by a sudden knock on the door. Huffing, Laura approached her front door and answered. A young girl stood on the doorstep, and she didn’t have to speak a word for Laura to recognize her.

Laura threw her arms open around the girl and hugged her. “Emily, oh, you’re back!”

“Yeah, Mom! I’m home!” Emily replied as the two stood hugging each other. Then Emily pulled away and raised her one arm to show the carpet she was holding. “This was all I had, Mom,” she said. “And I kept it.”

“Who’s there?” Richard’s loud voice boomed from the inside. His face went pale when he approached the front door and looked at Emily.

“What’s wrong, Richard?” Emily sneered. “You see a ghost? He’s the one responsible for my disappearance, Mom!” Emily pointed at Richard.

“What? That’s nonsense!” Richard cried in his defense.

“Come inside, Emily,” Laura said. As Emily entered, Laura closed the front door. She looked from her daughter to her husband. What was going on?

“She’s lying, Laura!” Richard yelled. “Don’t listen to her! She’s trying to tear us apart!”

“Tell me everything, Emily!” Laura insisted, ignoring Richard.

Ten years ago…

Laura was away on a work trip for a week. When Emily returned from school, Richard was sprawled on the living room couch, watching TV.

“Hey, kiddo!” he said as he sat up. “How was school?”

“It was fine,” Emily replied and was about to head to her room, but Richard insisted she join him for TV. “I could use some company,” he said. “And it’s your favorite show.”

Emily hesitantly sat beside Richard. At first, she didn’t suspect something was wrong. But then, she became aware of Richard touching her skirt’s hem. “Nice skirt,” he commented. Emily’s heart thumped in her chest. She managed to say thanks.

She tried to focus on the TV show, but it was too hot. She began unbuttoning her shirt when her fingers brushed against Richard. “Let me help you,” he said, then ran his fingers along her neck.

“I’ve got it,” Emily said and pulled away. But Richard didn’t take her hint. He insisted that she come closer to him so that she could watch the TV properly. “Come on, Emily. You’ve grown, and it’s not like you don’t want me,” he said.

Emily freaked out. “Get away!” she yelled. “I’ve got to do my homework!”

Suddenly, their neighbor’s Beagle barked, distracting Richard. Emily got the chance to escape and dashed to her bedroom.

She was terrified and disgusted, but she felt safe here. But it wasn’t long before her peace was disrupted.

Richard entered the room, a broad grin on his face. “You don’t need to be scared, Emily!” He smirked.

“What are you doing here? Get out! This is my room!” she cried. “Leave, Richard, or I’ll tell Mom everything!”

Richard burst out laughing. “And who do you think she’ll believe? A grown man or her over-imaginative daughter?”

“She’ll believe me! I know my mom!” Emily confidently yelled. Her gaze then traveled to the cell phone resting on her bedside table.

Richard’s face contorted with anger. “No calls!” he bellowed. In a sudden move, he reached out to push her away from the phone. Emily was about to grab it and ended up losing her balance.

The room spun, and she felt a sharp pain at the back of her head. The wooden corner of the table had dealt a blow, and the world went black for Emily.

When Richard noticed the puddle of blood under Emily’s head, he panicked. He had to think fast. Richard didn’t even check if she was alive.

He wrapped her body in the carpet, dumped it in his trunk, and then drove out of town. Richard tossed her body into a river, thinking it was Emily’s end. He then returned home and cleaned Emily’s room so nobody doubted him.

Present-day…

“A couple of fishermen found me, Mom,” Emily continued. “I was in a neighboring town. A kind family there took me in. They also tried to find my family, but I didn’t remember my past. It was only when I returned here and saw my face on the billboards that I recalled everything—My home, you, and the terrible…night!”

“Stop it, Emily! You’re accusing me after all I have done for you guys?” Richard screamed.

Laura had had enough. She would not fall for Richard’s lies anymore.

Laura called the police, and Richard was taken to the police station. A DNA test was also conducted to see if the blood stain on the carpet matched Emily’s blood, and it did.

Richard finally surrendered when the DNA results came out and confessed that he wanted his wife’s money, which is why he pretended to be a kidnapper.

Months later, the court sentenced Richard to prison. Emily and Laura were finally free, and now they had each other.

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