MY HUSBAND FROZE MY CREDIT CARD WHILE I WAS BUYING DIAPERS FOR OUR BABY—THEN HIS MOTHER CALLED ME A USELESS LEECH. ONE PHONE CALL TO MY BANKER CHANGED EVERYTHING.

For three seconds, I couldn't move.

The man in the SUV held up the photograph again.

It showed June sitting in her stroller outside our house. Mrs. Parker was standing beside her, holding a shopping bag.

The picture had been taken that morning.

“Who are you?”” I demanded.

The man lowered the photograph.

“My name is Daniel Foster. I'm a private investigator working for Mr. Reed.””

I stepped closer.

“Why do you have a picture of my daughter?””

“Because someone has been monitoring your household.””

Vanessa grabbed my arm.

“Corinne, get in the car.””

Daniel shook his head.

“Please. I know how this looks, but I'm trying to help.””

I glared at him.

“You think showing me a photograph of my eight-month-old baby is going to make me trust you?””

“No, ma'am. But I think what I'm about to tell you might.””

He reached into his jacket and removed a sealed envelope.

“Mr. Reed asked me to deliver this personally.””

Vanessa snatched it from his hand.

“Don't touch anything he sends you.””

Daniel sighed.

“I expected that reaction.””

“Then why are you here?”” I asked.

He looked directly at me.

“Because Mr. Reed believes your husband is planning to take June out of the country.””

My heart stopped.

“What?””

“He made inquiries about private flights leaving Charlotte. He also contacted someone about obtaining travel documents for a minor.””

I immediately called Mrs. Parker.

She answered on the second ring.

“Hello, Corinne?””

“Is June okay?””

“Of course. She's sleeping in her crib. Is something wrong?””

“Please don't open the door for anyone. Not Trevor, not his mother, not anyone unless I call you personally.””

Mrs. Parker's voice became concerned.

“Corinne, what's happening?””

“I'll explain when I get home. Just stay with June.””

I ended the call.

Vanessa opened the envelope.

Inside was a printed email.

The sender was Samuel Reed.

The recipient was Trevor.

*Subject: Contingency Regarding the Child.*

The message was short.

If Corinne activates the trust, you need to secure the child before the next financial review. Once the guardianship issue is established, we can negotiate from a stronger position.

I read it twice.

“Guardianship issue?”” I whispered.

Vanessa took the paper.

“Samuel has been planning this.””

Daniel nodded.

“There's more. Your husband recently consulted a family law attorney about obtaining emergency custody.””

I felt sick.

Trevor wanted to take my daughter.

The same man who refused to buy her formula now wanted legal control over her.

“Why?”” I asked.

Daniel looked uncomfortable.

“Because the trust documents reportedly contain provisions concerning your daughter's future inheritance.””

Vanessa closed the envelope.

“June is the next generation of the Bascombe family. If something happens to Corinne, control of certain assets could pass into a separate family structure.””

I stared at her.

“Are you saying Trevor wants June because of the money?””

“I'm saying we need to find out exactly what he's planning.””

I turned toward Daniel.

“Take us to Samuel Reed.””

He shook his head.

“That would be a mistake.””

“Why?””

“Because he's expecting you to come looking for him.””

Vanessa studied him.

“How do we know you're not working for Trevor?””

Daniel slowly removed his sunglasses.

“Because I was the one who helped your sister disappear four years ago.””

Vanessa went completely still.

“You?””

He nodded.

“I arranged her transportation after she discovered the fraudulent transfers. I believed getting her out of Charlotte was the only way to keep her alive.””

Vanessa's expression hardened.

“You told me Samuel was protecting me.””

“I was wrong.””

He reached into the passenger seat and pulled out another folder.

“Mr. Reed didn't arrange your disappearance to save you. He arranged it because he needed you gone before the original trust documents could be changed.””

I took the folder.

Inside were copies of old property records, corporate filings, and a document bearing my father's signature.

The heading read:

*Final Beneficial Ownership Amendment.*

I scanned the first page.

Then I saw the date.

Three days before my father died.

At the bottom was a handwritten note.

The company belongs to my daughters. Neither Trevor Bascombe nor Samuel Reed has authority to transfer, pledge, or sell any portion of its assets.

I looked at Daniel.

“Why didn't this document appear in the original trust records?””

“Because Samuel removed it.””