“We just need to see your paperwork, sir.”
Daniel sighed.
“Fine. I’ll go home and get it.”
Sarah shook her head.
“Emma stays here until everything is verified.”
His eyes darkened.
“You can’t do that.”
The officer stepped in.
“Actually, we can.”
Daniel clenched his fists, then turned and walked out of the hospital.
Sarah felt a knot form in her stomach.
“He’ll be back.”
The officer nodded.
“And now we know he’s hiding something.”
A Chilling Discovery
Back at the ICU room, Emma sat beside her mother holding her hand.
“Did he leave?” she whispered.
“For now,” Sarah said.
Emma lowered her eyes.
“He always comes back.”
Sarah knelt beside her.
“This time, we’re here.”
Emma looked unsure.
“That’s what my mom said last time… and he found us.”
Sarah’s stomach dropped.
“Last time?”
Laura spoke weakly.
“We tried to escape a month ago. He caught us on the highway. I crashed the car trying to get away.”
Sarah swallowed.
“Has he always been violent?”
“At first, no,” Laura said quietly. “But when I realized what he was capable of… it was too late.”
Sarah took a deep breath.
“I’m going to make sure he never touches either of you again.”
Emma looked at her with tearful eyes.
“Promise?”
Sarah squeezed her hands.
“I promise.”