Reluctantly, Harry let go of Lili’s hand as the police escorted him away, headed for Child Protective Services. The next morning, Lili received a call that left her heart racing. “He’s been returned to his foster family—no signs of mistreatment,” the CPS worker reported. But Lili couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. She had to know more.
With determination burning inside her, Lili tracked down the address of Harry’s foster home. The building was run-down, its yard overgrown and wild. After knocking, she was greeted by a stern, no-nonsense woman named Greta. “I’m here on behalf of CPS to take photos of the children for their records,” Lili explained. Though Greta reluctantly allowed her inside, Lili’s sharp eyes immediately caught the fearful glances of the children. Their pale faces and anxious expressions spoke volumes. When Greta stepped away to make a call to CPS, Lili wasted no time, snapping photos and gathering evidence, before being ushered out of the house.
Refusing to let Harry and the other children suffer, Lili returned later that night, this time with a ladder in tow. Quietly, she helped the frightened kids escape through a window, but their plan was foiled when the police arrived just in time. “Officer, please! We had to get away!” Harry cried out, his voice trembling with fear. Moved by the desperation in his eyes, the officer agreed to investigate further into the foster home.
A year later, Lili stood proudly with Harry, now her adopted son. She visited the other children who had been rescued that night, and it was clear they were thriving in loving, supportive homes. As Harry hugged her tightly, he whispered, “I’m so grateful you found us, Lili. You changed our lives.” With tears brimming in her eyes, Lili looked at him and said softly, “No, Harry. You all changed mine.”
