The morning sun cast long shadows across the city streets, but Zoey barely noticed as she walked toward the small coffee shop a few blocks from the hospital. Her mind replayed the events of the last twenty-four hours—the hospital, Daniel’s desperate bribe, the children, and her growing fear of what he might be capable of. Every step toward the coffee shop tightened the knot of anxiety in her chest.

Drake had insisted she meet him there. “It’s important,” his message read. “We need to discuss what we do next, and you need to understand the full scope. Be careful.”

Zoey entered the shop cautiously, glancing around at the small crowd....