“The clinic said your sample couldn’t work. I knew you’d leave me if I didn’t get pregnant.”

Preston’s face collapsed. For years he had used fatherhood as a weapon against me — and now he was learning that the miracle he’d used to humiliate me was another carefully built lie.

He lunged for Madison’s arm. The security officers moved at once and pulled them apart, and I stepped in and lifted the frightened child out of Madison’s shaking hands before she could drop him.

“Do not punish him for what you did,” I said. “He’s innocent.”

Chapter 8 — Being Ready

Two detectives came into the corridor behind the officers. Preston stared at their badges. “Naomi — what have you done?”
“Recovered what you stole.”

The lead detective told Preston and Madison that warrants had been issued for conspiracy, wire fraud, forgery, theft, and obstruction.