Helen stood beside Emma, whispering to her, forcing a smile.
Daniel recorded everything.
This wasn’t random.
It was organized.
Then—sirens.
Inside, chaos erupted. Adults scrambling. Cameras dismantled. Children rushed away.
Daniel ran to the back.
A metal door burst open. Helen came out, dragging Emma.
She froze when she saw him.
“You… you were supposed to be gone.”
“Let her go,” Daniel said quietly.
Helen tightened her grip.
“You don’t understand what you’re interfering with. Do you know how much—”
Emma bit her hand and broke free, running to him.
He lifted her, shielding her.
“It’s over.”
Helen laughed bitterly.
“You think this ends here? We have connections—lawyers, judges—”
Police cars screeched in.
Officers surrounded them.
Detective Ryan Cole, someone Daniel knew from past work, stepped forward.
“Step back, Daniel.”
Helen panicked, shouting excuses.
“It’s just children’s photography!”
They arrested her. Others were dragged out—the man, the woman, more involved.
Ryan checked Emma.
“You okay?”
She nodded, shaking.
“Did you get everything?” he asked Daniel.
Daniel lifted his camera.
“Everything.”
Ryan exhaled.
“This helps us take down the whole network.”