Chapter 1

 

"Amira, breakfast is getting cold!" her mother called.

 

"I'm coming!" sixteen-year-old Amira Hassan replied, hurrying downstairs with her schoolbag slung over one shoulder.

 

She was an ordinary high school student with long dark hair, warm brown eyes, and a smile that reflected the kindness in her heart. She wasn't the loudest in any room, nor did she crave attention. She simply loved spending time with the two people who meant everything to her—her parents.

 

Her father, Kareem Hassan, folded his newspaper and smiled as she entered the dining room.

 

"Good morning, my princess."

 

"Good morning, Dad."

 

He stood to hug her before gently kissing the top of her head.

 

"My little girl is growing too fast."

 

"Dad," she groaned playfully. "I'm sixteen, not six."

 

"To me, you'll always be six."

 

Her mother, Samira, chuckled as she placed a plate of pancakes in front of Amira.

 

"Don't tease her before school."

 

"I'll never stop," Kareem replied with a grin.

 

The three shared breakfast while talking about ordinary things—school assignments, a science project, and the movie they planned to watch together that weekend.

 

Simple moments.

 

The kind people never realize will become precious memories.

 

After breakfast, Kareem checked his watch.

 

"We should get going, sweetheart."

 

Amira nodded.

 

Her parents always drove her to school whenever their schedules allowed. It had become a family tradition they all secretly enjoyed.

 

Outside, the morning breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. Kareem unlocked the car while Samira adjusted Amira's slightly crooked school tie.

 

"There," she said warmly. "Perfect."

 

"Mum..."

 

"What?"

 

"You always fuss over me."

 

"That's my job."

 

Amira laughed before hugging her tightly.

 

"I love you."

 

"I love you more."

 

Kareem cleared his throat dramatically.

 

"And what about me?"

 

Amira rolled her eyes before wrapping her arms around him too.

 

"I love you too, Dad."

 

"There. Now my day can begin."

 

They climbed into the car.

 

As the vehicle pulled away from the house, none of them noticed a black SUV parked across the street.

 

Inside sat two men watching silently.

 

One of them lifted his phone.

 

"They've left."

 

The call ended.

 

...

 

At Westbridge High School, students streamed through the gates as the Hassan family's car came to a stop.

 

"Study hard," Samira reminded her daughter.

 

"I will."

 

"And don't skip lunch," Kareem added.

 

"I won't."

 

"You promised last time too."

 

Amira laughed.

 

"I'll eat today."

 

She leaned through the open window one last time, hugging both of them.

 

"See you this evening."

 

"See you, sweetheart."

 

With a final wave, she walked through the school gates.

 

She glanced back once.

 

Her parents were still waving.

 

She smiled and waved again before disappearing into the crowd.

 

Neither she nor her parents knew it would be the last time they ever saw each other.

 

...

 

The school day passed peacefully.

 

Classes, quizzes, lunch with friends, and endless notes from teachers.

 

During English Literature, Amira caught herself smiling as she remembered the movie night her father had promised.

 

Maybe they could order pizza too.

 

The thought made her grin.

 

When the final bell rang, students poured out of their classrooms like water released from a dam.

 

Amira waited near the front gate.

 

Her parents were usually on time.

 

Five minutes passed.

 

Then ten.

 

She checked her phone.

 

No messages.

 

"Maybe traffic," she whispered.

 

Another fifteen minutes passed.

 

Her smile slowly faded.

 

Just as she reached for her phone again, the principal hurried toward her.

 

His face looked unusually pale.

 

Behind him stood two police officers.

 

Something inside Amira tightened.

 

"Miss Hassan," the principal said softly.

 

"Yes?"

 

"Could you... come with us?"

 

Confusion flickered across her face.

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

No one answered immediately.

 

The older police officer removed his cap.

 

"I'm Officer Bello."

 

She swallowed.

 

"Where are my parents?"

 

The silence that followed seemed to stretch forever.

 

"I'm afraid there has been an accident."

 

Her heartbeat quickened.

 

"What kind of accident?"

 

The officer looked down briefly before meeting her eyes again.

 

"A truck lost control on the highway."

 

"No..."

 

"Your parents' vehicle was struck."

 

"No."

 

"They were taken to the hospital—"

 

"They're okay, right?"

 

No one spoke.

 

Her breathing became uneven.

 

"They're okay..."

 

The principal lowered his head.

 

"I'm so sorry, Amira."

 

The words shattered her world.

 

"No!"

 

"They can't be!"

 

"You've made a mistake!"

 

"My dad was fine this morning!"

 

"My mum hugged me!"

 

"They promised they'd come back!"

 

"They promised!"

 

Tears streamed down her face as she backed away.

 

"No..."

 

"No..."

 

"This isn't true..."

 

The officer stepped closer, but she stumbled backward again.

 

"My parents..."

 

"They can't leave me."

 

"They can't."

 

Her knees gave way.

 

She collapsed onto the pavement, sobbing uncontrollably as the world around her blurred into meaningless noise.

 

Students stopped walking.

 

Teachers watched with heavy hearts.

 

No one knew what to say.

 

How could anyone comfort a sixteen-year-old girl whose entire world had ended in a single afternoon?

 

Far away, at the city morgue, two white sheets covered the bodies of Kareem and Samira Hassan.

 

Their wedding rings still rested on their fingers.

 

The promise they had made to each other years ago had been fulfilled.

 

Until death did them part.

 

But neither of them had wanted to leave behind the little girl they loved more than life itself.

 

And somewhere else in the city, a man named Greg Hassan received a phone call.

 

His expression darkened for only a second before something unreadable settled over his face.

 

"I understand," he said quietly.

 

After ending the call, he stared out of the window.

 

"So..."

 

"My brother is really gone."

 

A slow smile crept onto his lips.

 

"What a pity."

 

He had no idea that the greatest fortune his brother had left behind was not the money, the company, or the house.

 

It was the daughter everyone was about to underestimate.

 

The hidden star was about to begin her journey.