AUTHOR POV

An hour later, two uniformed child care officers arrived at the gate. Marta, the head housekeeper, met them at the door with polite urgency.

“We are here for Dean Moretti, are you his mother” the officer lady asked.

“No, Miss Moretti is inside, come in,” she said, eyes wide with sympathy.

Tessa, still clutching the court notice, ushered them into the sitting room. The officers introduced themselves as Officer Ruiz and Officer Castillo of the Monterrey Child Welfare Department.

Between them, they carried a small folder stamped “IMMEDIATE INTERIM CUSTODY ORDER.”

Tessa’s heart lurched. She gestured to the sofa. “Please, have a seat.”

Both officers sat. Officer Ruiz...