Hazel’s eyes flashed with worry as Joshua hung up the phone.

“Are you… really going to leave mom alone?” she asked.

“Of course not,” Joshua whispered. “I have to force him to make a choice.”

Ted would compromise. When Ted brought Stacy, Joshua would take her back to Country Z. As long as they returned to Country Z, it would be hard for Ted to do anything to them.

“Joshua,” Hazel said with relief.

Then she was hesitant. “Should I go back to… Country Z first?”

She had a big belly now. She was afraid she would be a drag on him if she were around him.

“No,” said Joshua,...