“The server in the basement is already looping old footage from yesterday.”

“Nobody knows I am here.”

“Nobody knows your sister is still alive.”

“They still think she is in the hospital.”

The realization hit me like a physical blow to the chest.

They had planned this out completely, covering every single detail.

They had control of the house, the security, and the documentation.

The only thing they didn’t control was me.

My hand remained steady, but inside, I was desperately searching for an exit.

The window was behind us.

It was a two-story drop onto the rainy stone courtyard below.

That was not an option with Madison.

The only way out of the office was through the door.

And Hayes was blocking it.

My mother’s footsteps stopped just outside the threshold.

The shadow of her slippers appeared in the crack of light under the door.

“Richard?” she called out, her voice trembling.

“Who is in there with you?”

“Why do you have a gun, Natalie?”

She had looked through the gap in the doorframe.

“Mom, get away from the door,” I urged. “Get out of the house.”