“It was a minor accident,” Rachel snapped. “Kids fall. You’re overreacting.”
“She has an infected injury and bruises shaped like fingers on her arms,” Daniel said steadily. “She says you pushed her.”
There was a long silence.
“She makes things up,” Rachel said finally. “She wants attention.”
Officer Wu continued writing, expression unreadable.
Later that night, Daniel returned home briefly to pack clothes for Emily. In the back of a closet, he found a small backpack. Inside were passports, cash, and printed travel documents for a flight leaving the next morning. Folded neatly between them was a note in Rachel’s handwriting:
If you talk, we leave, and your dad will never find us.
Daniel’s hands trembled as he handed everything to the detective.
“This changes things,” Detective Bennett said quietly. “This shows intent to flee.”
When Rachel arrived at the hospital later that night, she was composed, well-dressed, and demanding. She accused Daniel of manipulation and exaggeration. Detective Bennett placed the passports on the table.
“Care to explain these?” he asked.
Rachel said nothing.
By morning, emergency custody was granted to Daniel. Rachel left without looking back.