CHAPTER 2: THE CONFRONTATION
I found Lily sitting at the kitchen table, her knees pulled to her chest, her face pale.
"Did you hear that?" I asked.
She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Mom, he wanted to send me away. He said I was a burden. He said you didn't want me."
"None of that is true."
"But I heard him on the phone. He said he was going to take me to a boarding school. He said you'd be happy to be rid of me."
My heart shattered.
"Lily, he was lying. I would never, ever want to be rid of you. You are the most important thing in my life."
She started sobbing.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared. He said if I told anyone, he'd hurt you."
"He can't hurt me. I'm not afraid of him."
"But—"
"Lily, listen to me. I have everything I need to make sure he never bothers us again. But I need you to be brave. Can you do that?"
She sniffled. "I think so."
"Good girl. Now, I need you to pack your things. We're leaving."
We gathered her belongings and drove to a motel on the outskirts of town. It wasn't much, but it was safe.
And it was ours.
I called my lawyer, my sister, and the police.
Mark and Valerie were arrested that night.
May you like
But that wasn't the end.
It was only the beginning.
