She crossed the room, opened the closet, and found Emma curled inside. The girl jumped into her arms.
“Grandma…”
“I’m here.”
Melissa lunged.
“You’re not taking her!”
Carol turned and shoved her back. The woman crashed into a chair.
Mark stepped forward.
“You’re making a mistake. Put the girl down.”
Carol looked at him—really looked.
“You stole from your father while he was dying. Locked me away. Took everything. And now you’re after Lena’s daughter.”
Mark faltered.
“What?”
“You never wanted to help. You wanted everything early.”
Melissa laughed from the floor.
“And who’s going to believe you? The crazy old woman?”
Mark regained composure.
“You have nothing.”
Carol pulled out the phone.
Pressed play.
His voice filled the room.
“If there’s a scene, the kid becomes a problem…”
Then another recording.
“If Carol interferes, we use her file again…”
Mark went pale.
Melissa said nothing.
Then—sirens.
Multiple.
Police cars screeched outside. Child protection. Officers.
Mark turned toward the window.
“What did you do?”
Carol held Emma tighter.
“What you never thought I could do—prepare.”