“It will look like I am running from the court investigation.”

“She is right,” Benjamin agreed. “Moving the children now, after a petition has been filed, could be seen as parental abduction or evasion.”

“We have to stay here.”

I looked at the closed bedroom door where my children were sleeping.

The peace we had built over the last five years was shattering around us.

“I am going to call a press conference for tomorrow morning,” Jonathan said.

“I will announce my resignation.”

“And I will address the custody suit head-on.”

“Are you sure about this, Jonathan?” I asked, looking into his eyes.

“It is the only way, Mariana,” he said. “To save our children.”

Before I could answer, a loud, sharp knock echoed from the front door.

We all froze.

Benjamin stepped toward the door, looking through the peephole.

His face went pale.

“Who is it?” I whispered.

Benjamin turned back to us, his eyes wide.

“It’s the police,” Benjamin said. “And a representative from Child Protective Services.”

I felt a cold sweat break out on the back of my neck.