Chapter 18 - The Grandmother's Final OfferEvelyn entered the building through the rear entrance.
She wore a pale gray coat and carried a leather handbag.
Andrew followed close behind.
Patricia stood in the hallway.
“We need to talk.”
Evelyn ignored her.
“Where is Mia?”
“Upstairs.”
“Has she been behaving?”
Patricia stared.
“She's frightened.”
“Children become frightened when adults encourage their anxieties.”
“She wants her mother.”
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
“That will pass.”
Patricia shook her head.
“I didn't agree to this.”
“You agreed to provide care.”
“I agreed to transport her to a residence where you said her parents had approved a temporary arrangement.”
Evelyn's expression hardened.
“And you accepted payment.”
Patricia swallowed.
She had.
The initial fee had covered overdue business expenses.
But she had also begun to understand that the supposed family agreement did not exist.
Andrew stepped forward.
“Enough. We have a schedule.”
Patricia looked at him.
“She's not a shipment.”
Evelyn turned.
“Leave us.”
Patricia hesitated.
Then she moved toward the kitchen.
Evelyn waited until she was gone.
“Has Daniel signed?”
Andrew shook his head.
“He sent everything to the authorities.”
Evelyn looked genuinely astonished.
“My son?”
“Yes.”
“Sarah has turned him against me.”
Andrew spoke impatiently.
“It doesn't matter why. The arrangement is collapsing.”
Evelyn walked toward the staircase.
“Then I'll speak to Mia.”
Andrew caught her arm.
“No.”
She looked at his hand.
“Remove it.”
He obeyed.
“We need a way out,” he said.
Evelyn studied him.
For years, Andrew had been useful because he understood the company's financial weaknesses and the complicated network of outside vendors.
But usefulness did not mean loyalty.
“Are you frightened?” she asked.
“I'm realistic.”
She stepped closer.
“Then remember that your name appears on most of the questionable transactions.”
Andrew stared at her.
“And yours appears on the instructions.”
They stood facing each other.
Neither spoke.
Then Andrew said, “You told me the parents would cooperate. You said we'd have a legitimate family arrangement, not a missing child investigation.”
Evelyn's face remained expressionless.
“Daniel was supposed to understand.”
“He doesn't.”
“Then he has disappointed me.”
Andrew shook his head.
“You're going to destroy everyone before you admit you were wrong.”
Evelyn slapped the banister with her palm.
“I saved this family.”
“No,” Andrew said. “You kept it dependent on you.”
Upstairs, Mia sat on her bed.
She had heard Grandma Evelyn arrive.
For a moment, she felt relief.
She wanted someone familiar.
But then she remembered the birthday party.
Zoe pointing at Grandma.
Grandma's angry face.
And the words Grandma had said when she took Mia away.
Be a good girl, and Mommy won't be upset.
Mia looked at the strange rabbit.
Then she quietly pushed it under the pillow.
Downstairs, Patricia had taken out her phone.
Her hands trembled as she opened the contact information she had written earlier.
She dialed a number.
A woman answered.
“County sheriff's office.”
Patricia closed her eyes.
“I need to report where a missing child is being kept.”
She gave the address.
Then she whispered, “Please come quickly.”
From the hallway, Evelyn called her name.
Patricia ended the call.
She turned around.
Evelyn stood in the doorway.
May you like
Her eyes moved from Patricia's face to the phone in her hand.
“Who,” Evelyn asked softly, “were you speaking to?”
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