The silence after Zoey’s words was deafening.

“We’re not going anywhere.”

Her voice echoed in the room like a final decision carved in stone.

Lucas stared at her, disbelief flickering across his face.

“You don’t understand what you’re doing,” he said slowly.

Zoey tightened her hold on the children.

“No,” she replied firmly. “I understand perfectly. You lied. You tried to take them somewhere they may never come back from. That’s not saving them… that’s taking them away.”

Vivian pressed closer to her, while Avila clung tightly to her waist, still trembling.

Daniel stood a few feet away, watching everything unfold.

For the first time…

He wasn’t in control.

Lucas...