Chapter 7 - THE REUNION IN ROOM 402
Two days later, the morning sun poured through the blinds of Room 402 at the pediatric hospital.
The room was quiet, save for the steady, rhythmic beep of the heart monitor. Nancy sat propped up against a pile of fluffy cartoon pillows, a pale blue blanket draped over her lap. Her color was returning, and though she was still weak from the major intestinal surgery, her bright eyes were full of life.
She was holding a brand-new coloring book, carefully scribbling outside the lines with a pink crayon.
The door creaked open, and I stepped in carrying a tray with her favorite strawberry gelatin and apple juice.
"Mommy!" Nancy beamed, dropping her crayon and reaching her small arms out toward me.
I set the tray down on the rolling table and pulled her into a gentle embrace, burying my face in her soft curls, making sure not to press against her bandaged abdomen.
"How are you feeling today, my little fish?" I whispered, kissing her forehead.
"My tummy still hurts a little bit when I laugh," Nancy said, pouting adorably. "But the doctors said the bad metal bugs are all gone out of my belly."
"They're gone forever, baby," I promised, my voice thick with emotion. "No one will ever hurt you again. Mommy is right here."
"Where is Daddy?" Nancy asked innocently, tilting her head. "And where is Grandma Evelyn? They didn't come to see me."
I paused, stroking her hair. How do you explain to a five-year-old child that the people who were supposed to protect her were the ones who tried to destroy her?
"Daddy and Grandma have to go away on a very, very long trip," I said gently, meeting her gaze. "It's just you and me now, sweet girl. And we're going to have a wonderful, safe adventure together."
Nancy smiled, satisfied with the answer, and picked up her pink crayon again.
Outside the hospital window, high above the San Diego skyline, the morning traffic hummed along the interstate. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the screen.
It was a text message from Arthur Vance, the forensic accountant:
May you like
“Assets frozen. Trust accounts sequestered. Evelyn and Brandon are both being held without bail pending arraignment on charges of conspiracy to commit child endangerment and corporate fraud. You have full temporary custody of Nancy, signed and sealed.”
I let out a breath I felt like I had been holding for seven long years.
