Chapter 4: The Door They Tried To Lock
I stared at the photo on my phone until the image blurred.
Lily.
Standing outside the Peterson house.
My five-year-old daughter was wearing her purple jacket and holding her stuffed rabbit.
The photo had been taken from a distance.
Someone had been watching her.
Someone had wanted me to know they were watching her.
My fingers went cold.
“Who took that picture?””
Rebecca looked toward the coffee shop window.
“I don’t know.””
“Don’t lie to me.””
“I’m not.””
Her voice cracked.
“I’m telling you what I know. The Petersons don’t threaten people directly when they can use fear instead.””
I looked back at the message from Daniel.
*We need to talk.*
A normal husband would have called to ask if his daughter was okay.
A normal husband would have apologized.
A normal husband would have been terrified that someone hurt his child.
Instead, my husband sent me a picture designed to scare me.
I stood up.
“I need to get Lily.””
Rebecca grabbed my arm.
“Chloe, listen to me.””
I pulled away.
“No. My daughter is at home.””
“Are you sure?””
The question stopped me.
I looked at her.
“What does that mean?””
Rebecca swallowed.
“Did you leave Lily with someone?””
I didn’t answer immediately.
Because suddenly I realized something.
When I left for the coffee shop, I had dropped Lily off at my neighbor’s house.
A sweet elderly woman named Mrs. Harper who lived two houses away.
She loved Lily like her own granddaughter.
But Daniel knew where she lived.
And so did his family.
I grabbed my coat.
“I’m going.””
Rebecca followed me outside.
“Take those documents.””
“I don’t need papers right now.””
“Yes, you do.””
She handed me the folder.
“You need proof. People like the Petersons survive because everyone believes their word before they believe anyone else’s.””
I looked at the folder.
Then at her.
“Why are you helping me?””
Rebecca looked away.
“Because years ago, I watched someone else stay silent.””
Her voice became softer.
“And I still hate myself for it.””
I drove faster than I should have.
Every red light felt personal.
Every second felt stolen.
When I turned onto my street, my stomach dropped.
Daniel’s car was parked outside Mrs. Harper’s house.
I slammed on the brakes.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Then I ran.
The front door opened before I reached it.
Daniel stepped outside.
“Chloe.””
My heart stopped.
Because behind him, I saw Lily.
She was sitting on the couch.
Safe.
But crying.
I rushed past him.
“Lily!””
She ran into my arms.
“Mommy!””
I held her so tightly she complained she couldn’t breathe.
I didn’t care.
I needed to feel her.
I needed to know she was real.
“What happened?”” I whispered.
Daniel closed the door behind us.
“She’s fine.””
I looked at him.
“Don’t say that.””
His face tightened.
“Chloe—”
“Why were you here?””
“I wanted to see my daughter.””
“You could have called me.””
“You blocked my calls.””
I froze.
I hadn’t.
I checked my phone.
Twenty-seven missed calls.
From Daniel.
I stared at the screen.
Then looked at him.
“You called me twenty-seven times?””
“Yes.””
“And not once did you say you were sorry?””
His expression changed.
“I was trying to talk.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“You were trying to control the situation.””
His jaw tightened.
“You’re making me the enemy.””
I laughed quietly.
“You watched your sister hit our daughter.””
“I told you I was shocked.””
“You were silent.””
He looked away.
That was the answer.
Again.
Always the answer.
Lily tugged on my sleeve.
“Mommy?””
I looked down.
“Yes?””
“Daddy said I might have to stay at Grandma’s house.””
The room went completely still.
I slowly turned toward Daniel.
“What?””
His face changed.
“Lily misunderstood.””
“No.””
My voice dropped.
“She didn’t.””
“She’s five.””
“Exactly.””
I picked up Lily.
“She is five. She doesn’t need adults confusing her.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Chloe, I think you’re letting your emotions control you.””
I stared at him.
“My emotions?””
“Yes.””
“You mean my fear after my daughter was slapped?””
He flinched.
That was the first time I saw him look ashamed.
But it disappeared quickly.
“Mom thinks Lily would be better with family right now.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“Your mother thinks?””
“Yes.””
“Not you?””
Silence.
I nodded slowly.
“I understand.””
“Chloe—”
“No. I understand.””
I looked at Lily.
Then at my husband.
“You’re not trying to fix what happened.””
His expression softened.
“Of course I am.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You’re trying to make me accept it.””
Before he could answer, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
I answered immediately.
“Hello?””
A man’s voice spoke.
“Mrs. Peterson?””
“Yes?””
“This is Officer Grant from family services.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why are you calling me?””
There was a pause.
Then:
“We received a report concerning your daughter.””
I looked at Daniel.
He looked away.
And in that moment, I knew.
May you like
The report had come from his family.
The people who hurt Lily were now trying to take her from me.
