“You need that document,” Vance said.

“Without the paper copy, the bank will go ahead with the digital application.

Once the money moves, unwinding the fraud takes years.”

My hand stayed pressed to my chest.

The baby shifted low in my belly, a tiny flutter against my hip bone.

“I can’t go back into that house,” I said.

“He stuffed my maternity clothes into black trash bags and left them outside.”

“He locked you out to show you who’s in control,” Vance said.