Her body hurt, her head hurt a lot, and her memory of the attack

rought in. The doctors said she'd passed out from the shock and a blow to the h

red, gripping her ha

eart was heavy. Not just from the physical pain but from the st

ensing something was wrong. Steven clung to her more than usual . Rose and Lily helped around the house

ustle outside the window. Her nerves ragged-edged, her hands shook. Paul

s arrived at their door. No retu

ing a new

at a ho

nature on

. Her hands

d, voice tight. "

speak for a long time. Then finally

k. "Then tell m

separated. She told me it wasn't mine. I never

to a whisper. "But y

relating to which divorced parent will care for a c

n't know what

her own head. Clara was playing the long game. But fo

elope. There was one mo

te is tucked behi

mine. Now I'll take

blood ra

ming in his sleep. She ran to h

in the house" he

thing unusual. Nothing. No broken locks. No foot

locks. Cameras. Movement lights.

o trace. No recent address, no ID activity. Clara had gone back underg

e the vo

number. O

hit p

he truth would protect her. But li

the room just as

ul. "What haven'

ueezed tightly, his hands sh

. A uniformed person stood there,

. Elena

ds shaking with

girl. Born six years ago. Mothe

in red ink acr

me. Whether you

heart pounding. "You h

ped back,

picking at their food. Steven was unusually quiet, his e

d, "I think someone w

flashlight in hand. N

the dark livingroom, holding in hand the

en--3:

r creak

s. Elena followed the

ing in th

Holding a l

a

nfused. Afraid. Her hands

stepped in fr

slowly. "Clara... you

u took everything from me. My life,

flicked t

I'm taking

ok with fear or emotion

said softly. "She's a chil

lashing through. But then he

for her," Cl

straight

ere fo