Chapter 13 - The Cabin
Police told me not to go.
I went.
That was stupid.
I knew it then.
I know it now.
But there are moments when every rational thought in your head gets crushed under one fact.
My daughter was with her.
The drive to Lake Mercer took fifty-two minutes.
Police were behind me.
Vanessa texted directions from a prepaid phone.
Then another message.
COME ALONE OR I LEAVE WITH HER.
The detective called.
“Mark, do not enter that cabin.”
“She has Lily.”
“We know.”
“You’re ten minutes behind me.”
“We’re closer than that.”
Not close enough.
I parked near the dirt road and walked.
The cabin appeared between the trees.
One light on.
Front door open.
“Daddy!”
Lily’s scream ripped through me.
I ran.
Vanessa stood in the middle of the cabin with one hand around Lily’s wrist.
She looked exhausted.
Hair messy.
Eyes red.
But she was smiling.
“You came.”
“Let her go.”
Lily pulled toward me.
“Daddy!”
Vanessa tightened her grip.
“Stay.”
“Vanessa, this is over.”
“No. You made it over.”
“You kidnapped a child.”
“My child too.”
“She was never your child.”
That landed.
Her face twisted.
“I raised her.”
“You controlled her.”
“I fed her. Bathed her. Took her to school while you worked.”
“And you punished her for loving her mother.”
“She worshipped a ghost!”
Lily started crying.
I kept my voice low.
“Baby, look at me.”
Her eyes found mine.
“You’re going to be okay.”
Vanessa laughed.
“You always do that.”
“Do what?”
“Make her the center of everything.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“And I was supposed to be your wife!”
“You were an adult.”
“So?”
“So she was never your competition.”
For a second, Vanessa looked almost confused.
As if that idea had never occurred to her.
Then her face hardened.
“You hit me.”
“Yes.”
“In front of everyone.”
“Yes.”
“You embarrassed me.”
“I was wrong to hit you.”
That surprised her.
I continued.
“But that doesn’t erase what you did.”
“I loved you.”
“No. You wanted to own me.”
Her grip on Lily loosened slightly.
I saw it.
Lily saw it too.
“Run,” I said.
Lily jerked free.
Vanessa screamed.
I moved between them.
Lily ran for the door.
Vanessa grabbed a lamp and swung it.
It hit my shoulder.
Pain exploded down my arm.
I fell against the table.
“Daddy!”
“RUN, LILY!”
Vanessa lunged toward the door.
I caught her around the waist.
We crashed onto the floor.
She clawed at my face.
“You ruined my life!”
“No!”
I held her wrists.
“You did!”
Sirens screamed outside.
Vanessa froze.
For one second, all the rage disappeared.
She looked terrified.
Then she whispered,
“Tell them I’m sorry.”
Officers rushed through the door.
They pulled her away.
Lily ran into my arms outside.
I held her so tightly she squeaked.
“Daddy.”
“I’m here.”
“Don’t let go.”
“I won’t.”
Behind us, Vanessa was handcuffed.
As officers placed her in the cruiser, she turned toward Lily.
And smiled.
May you like
That smile made my skin crawl.
Because I knew Vanessa still thought she had one last card to play.
