Chapter 96

I sat on the chair, softly calling out, "Nora." She quickly lifted her head to look at me but didn't make any other move. "What do you have there? Can I take a look?" I asked gently. Nora immediately curled up, clutching the iron box in her arms tighter as if afraid I'd try to take it from her. Remembering what the officer said about a possible diary inside, I softly said, "Is it a letter from your mom? Would you like me to read it to you?" At my words, Nora's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and I could tell she was starting to consider it. "You don't know how to read, do you? Don't you want to know what your mom wrote for you?" I continued, patient and calm. Her pale fingers began to loosen their grip, her gaze still wary but softening. Slowly, she hesitated before handing over a yellowed notebook, treating it like something precious. I carefully took her hand, and she flinched in surprise. "It's okay," I reassured her. "We'll look at it together, and I'll read it to you." Nor