Chapter 1 - The Counting in the Shadow
Sterling’s Bistro was the crown jewel of Chicago’s River North district—a place where glass chandeliers cast warm amber light over white linen tables and the city's wealthiest patrons dined on dry-aged steaks. But behind the swinging mahogany doors of the kitchen, the atmosphere was far from glamorous.
Emily Carter moved between the tables with quick, practiced grace. At twenty-nine, Emily was a stunning woman with soft, expressive features and long dark hair, but exhaustion showed in the gentle shadows under her eyes. Wearing her simple white blouse, dark skirt, and black server apron, she balance heavy brass trays while keeping one watchful eye on the cracked door of the manager's back office.
Inside that office sat her four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Rory.
Rory was a brave, quiet child with bright, observant eyes and light-brown hair gathered into a neat ponytail tied with a small red ribbon. She sat on a wooden folding chair, her small shoes dangling above the floor, quietly coloring in a worn activity book. Over her floral cream dress, she wore a hand-knitted red cardigan that was slightly too short at the wrists.
Near the polished marble bar stood David Sterling. At forty, the bistro's owner was handsome, polished, and charming to his wealthy clientele in his expensive light-gray suit and designer watch. He held a glass of scotch in one hand and casually spun the leather key fob of his brand-new black Porsche with the other, laughing loudly with two city councilmen.
Rory watched him through the narrow gap in the office door. She looked from David’s gleaming gold watch down to the folded sheet of lined paper resting on her lap—her mother’s personal work log.
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For three months, Emily had recorded every double shift, every missed break, and every unpaid hour. On the back page, tiny purple stars were drawn beside dozens of dates in crayon.
Rory folded the paper neatly, slipped it into her cardigan pocket, and pushed open the office door.
