Chapter 6
Linda was arrested two days later.
Attempted kidnapping.
Forgery.
Conspiracy.
Child endangerment.
Assault by attempted unlawful sedation.
The news spread through the hospital faster than any official statement.
Nurses stared.
Administrators panicked.
Michael’s family called nonstop.
His sister Rebecca screamed into my voicemail.
“You are destroying Mom over a misunderstanding.”
I saved it for the detective.
His uncle sent a message.
Women get emotional after birth. Think before you accuse.
I sent that too.
Michael listened to each one with shame on his face.
“She trained all of us,” he said.
“To do what?”
“To protect her first.”
I looked at Noah sleeping in the bassinet.
“Then unlearn it somewhere else.”
His eyes lifted.
“You want me to leave?”
“I want to feel safe.”
He swallowed.
“I’ll stay at a hotel.”
I nodded.
Emily relaxed for the first time all day.
That told me I had made the right decision.
When we were discharged, I did not go home.
I went to my sister Megan’s house.
She met us at the door with tears, casseroles, and a baseball bat.
“Just in case,” she said.
Emily hugged her hard.
Megan looked at me over Emily’s head.
“She did good.”
“She saved us.”
Emily heard and stood taller.
May you like
That night, I slept in Megan’s guest room with Noah beside me and Emily curled at my back.
For the first time since the delivery room, no footsteps came toward us.
