CHAPTER 9 — A Mother Does Not Retreat
They tried to leave.
That was the first instinct.
Prescott families always tried to leave before consequences arrived.
But military police blocked the exits.
Not aggressively.
Just firmly.
Like walls that had already decided they would not move.
Emily sat up slowly in the hospital bed.
“Mom…” she whispered.
I held her hand.
“You’re safe,” I said.
Ethan turned toward me.
“You’re destroying a family,” he said quietly.
I stepped closer.
“No,” I replied. “You did that yourself.”
He swallowed.
“I loved her,” he said suddenly, almost desperate. “I just—things got complicated.”
Emily laughed weakly.
“Complicated?” she whispered. “You locked me in your house.”
That word landed heavier than any accusation.
Laura Kim stepped forward.
“Mr. Prescott,” she said, “you are under federal detention pending investigation.”
Brandon panicked.
“You can’t detain us without a hearing—”
A document was placed on the table.
Signed.
Stamped.
Approved.
Margaret stared at it.
Then looked at me.
“You called the Pentagon,” she whispered.
I nodded once.
“Yes.”
For the first time, her voice lost its polish.
“You ruined everything.”
May you like
I leaned slightly closer.
“No,” I said. “You did.”
