PART 3 Candice pressed her phone against her ear. “Julian, call Mom and tell her to go inside.” I looked at her. “Why?” “Because you’re upset.” “I’m not upset.” “You’re confused.” “I’ve been confused for four years,” I said quietly. “Funny how I only became confused after you started handling my paperwork.” Her face hardened.…

PART 3 A little boy was sitting beneath a donated Christmas tree, carefully opening a toy truck someone had wrapped in newspaper. His mother was beside him, smiling through exhaustion. I lowered my voice. “What did your father tell your mother?” Sophie hesitated. “He said you were trying to turn us against her.” I actually…

PART 3 My security camera feed showed Chloe pounding on my door. Eight people stood in the hallway. Two children were sitting on top of their luggage. Robert, Derek’s father, was looking around the hallway impatiently. Susan was checking her phone. And Chloe was repeatedly pressing a key against a lock that no longer had…

PART 3 Candice pressed her phone against her ear. “Julian, call Mom and tell her to go inside.” I looked at her. “Why?” “Because you’re upset.” “I’m not upset.” “You’re confused.” “I’ve been confused for four years,” I said quietly. “Funny how I only became confused after you started handling my paperwork.” Her face hardened.…

PART 3 A little boy was sitting beneath a donated Christmas tree, carefully opening a toy truck someone had wrapped in newspaper. His mother was beside him, smiling through exhaustion. I lowered my voice. “What did your father tell your mother?” Sophie hesitated. “He said you were trying to turn us against her.” I actually…

PART 3 My security camera feed showed Chloe pounding on my door. Eight people stood in the hallway. Two children were sitting on top of their luggage. Robert, Derek’s father, was looking around the hallway impatiently. Susan was checking her phone. And Chloe was repeatedly pressing a key against a lock that no longer had…