“And their mother doesn’t know you’re here.”
“She’ll know soon enough.”
The dispatcher was still on the line.
“Ma’am, is the person inside the house now?”
“Yes,” I said. “He’s here. He’s trying to take the children.”
Fabian stared at my phone. “Are you calling the police?”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable.”
He threw the backpack onto the couch.
“You people have been treating me like some kind of criminal for months.”
“Fabian, please leave. We can sort this out when Emily returns.”
“No. That’s exactly what she wants. Another conversation, another attorney, another excuse to keep my kids away.”
His voice was getting louder.
I knew where his anger could lead, and I didn’t intend to argue with him in front of the children.
I looked at Noah.
“Take Oliver and Lily into your bedroom, please.”
Fabian stepped forward. “They’re not going anywhere.”
I kept my voice steady. “They’re frightened. Let them have a minute.”
