“I am taking back what belongs to my daughters,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “John wanted them to be safe.”

“John was a weak, foolish boy who didn’t understand how the world works,” Margaret said. “And you are even stupider than he was if you think this court order will hold.”

“The judge disagreed with you, Margaret,” Nora said, leaning toward the phone.

“I am not speaking to you, Ms. Singh,” Margaret snapped. “I am speaking to my daughter-in-law.”

She paused, and the silence on the line was thick with malice.

“Emily, did you really think I didn’t have a contingency plan for this?” Margaret asked.

“What are you talking about?” I said, a cold chill starting at the base of my neck.

“I have been very patient with you over the last two years,” Margaret said. “Even when you were unstable. Even when you were clearly unfit to care for those girls.”

“I am not unstable,” I said.

“The medical records from the Silver Hill Hospital say otherwise,” Margaret said, her voice dropping to a smooth, terrifying purr.

My breath stopped in my throat.