Chapter 5
Garrett found out we were gone within the hour.
The hospital called him. He raced back. The room was empty. The nurses claimed they didn't know anything. The doctor said he'd never asked for Garrett.
It was a ghost act. We'd vanished.
But Garrett Hartford didn't stay confused for long.
By that afternoon, he'd called the police. Reported his wife missing. Said I was mentally unstable. Said I'd kidnapped our newborn daughter.
The news ran it that evening. PROMINENT DEVELOPER'S WIFE VANISHES WITH NEWBORN.
Garrett was on TV. Tears in his eyes. Begging for his family to come home. Saying I'd been depressed, that I needed help.
He was good. So good that half the city believed him.
But Marisol was ready.
She'd filed the divorce papers that morning. The restraining order. And she'd handed the federal evidence over to the prosecutor.
Three days later, the FBI raided Garrett's office.
The news was everywhere. HARTFORD UNDER INVESTIGATION. CORRUPTION. FRAUD. BRIBERY.
Garrett's empire started to crumble. His investors pulled out. His projects stalled. His friends stopped returning his calls.
But Garrett didn't go down quietly.
He hired a team of lawyers. He countersued. He claimed I'd stolen documents. Claimed I was an unfit mother. Claimed I was working with his business competitors to destroy him.
And he hired private investigators. The best money could buy. To find me.
We moved three times in two months. Shelters. Safe houses. Noah's friend's cabin. Every time, we left before Garrett's people could find us.
Clara grew. She was healthy. Strong. She had my eyes, I thought. Not his.
I breastfed her. Held her. Sang to her. And every night, I checked the locks three times.
I was safe. For now.
But I knew Garrett. Knew he wouldn't stop. Not until he had Clara. Not until he punished me for leaving.
One night, Noah came to the safe house. He looked tired. Worried.
"They're getting close," he said. "Garrett's PI has been asking around. He knows we're in the state. It's only a matter of time."
"Then we stop running," I said.
Noah looked at me. "What?"
"We stop running," I repeated. "I'm done hiding. I'm done being afraid. Garrett wants a fight? I'll give him one. In court. In public. Everywhere. Let him try to take my daughter. Let him try to explain the broken arm. The bribes. The fake psychiatric evaluation. Let him try."
Noah stared at me. Then he smiled.
"That's my sister."
The next day, Marisol filed a motion. We were coming out of hiding. We were going to face Garrett head-on.
And Garrett? He got the news. And he did exactly what I expected.
He filed for emergency custody. Claimed I was dangerous. Claimed I'd kidnapped Clara.
The hearing was set for one week later.
May you like
It was going to be the fight of my life.
And I was ready.
