“I heard you,” Ethan said. “You said Mom wouldn’t sign. And Aunt Claire said one curve would fix everything.”
Claire cursed.
“Be quiet.”
But Ethan didn’t stop.
“You said you’d tell everyone she was tired… then take me away.”
Ryan stepped toward him.
“Come here.”
“Don’t touch him,” Ms. Parker said.
I tried to move.
To scream.
To protect him.
But all I could do—
was move my hand.
This time—more than a finger.
Ethan felt it.
Claire saw it.
And smiled.
“Look at that… she’s waking up.”
She locked the door.
And as Ryan grabbed Ethan—
a voice shouted outside:
“Police! Open the door!”
But Claire was already too close…
“Let him go,” Ms. Parker said.
Claire tightened her grip.
“No one takes what’s mine.”
The door shook.
“Police!”
Ryan went pale.
“Claire—stop.”
“Now you’re scared?” she snapped.
