Chapter 63

It had been a few days since the police last came to the house. Those days dragged like heavy stones tied to my ankles. Every time I heard a car pull up or footsteps outside, I thought they were back, ready to knock on the door and take me away.

Tonight was no different. My nerves were still raw, stretched thin like a rope about to snap. I tucked Daisy into her bed, smoothing her blanket over her tiny frame. She rolled to her side, hugging her stuffed bear, her lips parting with that soft breathing she always made when sleep started to pull her in.

I sat there for a while, staring at her face. My chest ached at how peaceful she looked, how far away she seemed from the mess I was drowning in. I bent down, kissed her forehead, and whispered, “Goodnight, baby.”

When I walked out of her room and closed the door gently, I found Benjamin standing there in the hallway. His tie was loose around his neck, his shirt sleeves rolled up. He looked tired but serious.

His e