CHAPTER 6: THE DESPERATION
CHAPTER 6: THE DESPERATION
By noon, the Holloways were in full panic mode.
Grant called seventeen times.
Margaret called eight.
Hannah's phone buzzed so often I finally turned it off.
"She's threatening me," Hannah said. "Margaret says I'll never see my daughter again."
"Your daughter?"
"Madeline. She's at school. They're holding her there."
I stood up.
"Get your coat."
"What are we doing?"
"We're picking up Madeline."
"But Grant controls the school. He'll have them refuse."
I pulled out my phone.
"Then I'll buy the school."
We drove to the private academy where Madeline was enrolled—a place that cost forty thousand dollars a year and had a waiting list three years long.
The headmistress was waiting for us at the entrance.
"Mrs. Carter, we're so sorry—"
"Don't apologize. Just bring me my granddaughter."
"We can't. Mr. Holloway has instructed us—"
I held up my phone.
"I just bought this school. Do you want to keep your job?"
The headmistress's face went pale.
"Ma'am, you can't just—"
"I can. And I did. Now bring me my granddaughter."
The headmistress nodded and disappeared inside.
Five minutes later, Madeline ran into my arms.
"Grandma!"
"Hey, sweetheart. You're coming with us."
"Where's Daddy?"
"Your daddy is going to be very busy for a while. You're staying with me."
Madeline looked confused but didn't argue.
The drive back to my apartment was quiet. Hannah held her daughter's hand, tears streaming down her face.
"Mom," she whispered. "How did you do all this?"
"I told you. I've been preparing for this moment for years."
"I never knew."
"I didn't want you to know. I wanted you to be free. To make your own choices."
"But you watched me suffer."
I reached over and touched her hand.
"I watched you, yes. But I also watched you find your strength. And when you were ready to leave, I was ready to help."
Hannah nodded slowly.
May you like
"I'm ready now."
"Then let's finish this."
