The diamond felt cold against my skin, but the weight of it gave me strength.

My baby girl, Evelyn, made a soft sleeping sound in her bassinet.

I looked over at her, promising myself that Grant would never touch her, or her inheritance.

General Vale finished his call and turned back to me.

“The magistrate is on standby,” he said.

“Naomi is transmitting the affidavit now.”

“If Grant goes to that unit tonight, he’s going to find federal marshals waiting for him,” he added.

I felt a brief moment of relief, but it was cut short.

My phone, sitting on the bedside table next to the crumpled paper, began to buzz violently.

The screen lit up with an unknown number.

I reached over and picked it up, my thumb hovering over the green button.

“Answer it,” General Vale said, his eyes narrowing.

I pressed the button and put the phone to my ear.

“Tessa,” Grant’s voice hissed through the line, sounding breathless and panicked.

“I know you talked to Brielle.”

“Where are you, Grant?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.