My Daughter Begged Me Not to Get Off the Bus—Minutes Later, My Boyfriend Sent a Photo of My Deed Beside a Contract I Had Never Signed

I would sign nothing.

I would not hand over originals.

I would leave if directed or if I felt unsafe.

Lily would remain with Ethan at Mom’s house, with the adults alerted to the pickup attempt and the plan for the morning.

I believed that meant we had thought about everything important.

We had thought about a great deal.

We had not yet identified everyone working with Monica.

PART 5 — The Office Outside Columbus