Chapter 2 - The Name in the System

Red and blue lights flashed across the marble walls.

Sergeant Elena Ruiz entered with another officer and took in the scene--the hockey stick, Grace on the floor, Lily crying, Victoria standing untouched.

Victoria spoke first.

"This woman attacked me."

Lily pointed at her.

"She hit Mommy."

Victoria's jaw tightened.

Ruiz crouched. "Who hit your mommy, sweetheart?"

Lily pointed again.

Her answer did not change.

Grace tried to stand and almost collapsed. Nathan caught her beneath the good arm.

The second his hand touched her, five years vanished--the lake, late-night diners, Grace laughing into his shoulder, then the empty apartment and the letter claiming she never wanted him again.

A letter he had believed.

"You need a hospital," he said.

"I need Lily safe."

"I can do both."

Grace looked at him sharply. "You don't know what safe means for us."

Ruiz asked for identification.

Grace hesitated.

Victoria smiled.

Grace handed over her license.

The officer entered the name: Grace Elise Bennett.

He frowned.

"What?" Nathan asked.

"There's a family-court protection alert."

Grace went pale. "That was closed."

"What kind of alert?" Nathan asked.

"Possible custodial interference."

Victoria folded her arms.

Ruiz looked at Grace. "Is Lily your biological daughter?"

"Yes."

"Who is listed as the father?"

Grace's eyes moved to Nathan.

Victoria cut in. "She told everyone the father was unknown."

Nathan turned. "How do you know that?"

Victoria said nothing.

That silence told him plenty.

The officer checked the system again.

"Sergeant, there's more. An emergency petition was filed forty-eight hours ago."

Grace froze.

"To do what?" Nathan asked.

"Remove Lily Bennett from her mother pending investigation."

Grace stared at Victoria.

Victoria no longer looked frightened.

She looked ready.

Ruiz ordered everyone to stop talking and separated them for statements.

As paramedics helped Grace toward a stretcher, Nathan walked beside her.

"Did you file anything against me?" Grace asked him.

"No."

"Did your lawyers?"

"No."

She studied his face, then nodded once.

For the first time, Nathan understood the size of what he was looking at.

Victoria had not lost her temper in the kitchen.

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