“She cannot manage the household, and the baby is suffering for it.”

My throat tightened.

I had cleaned that house until my fingers bled, even when my body was screaming for rest.

The elevator doors began to slide closed.

Through the narrowing gap, I saw Melanie turn her head.

She looked straight at me, her eyes wide.

The doors clicked shut, cutting off her face.

The elevator groaned as it started its descent to the pediatric ward.

I stared at the image on my screen, my hands shaking so hard I almost dropped the phone.

Before I could process it, the screen changed.

An incoming call from Leo popped up.

I pressed the green button and held the receiver to my ear.

“Grace,” Leo whispered.

His voice was low, strained with tension.

“Leo, where are you?” I asked.

“I’m inside her house,” he said. “I used the spare key under the porch planter.”

I heard the faint creak of floorboards on the other end.

“I’m in the hallway,” Leo said. “The place smells like her lavender perfume. It makes my stomach turn.”