By early evening, Grant was released from custody pending a formal joint civilian-military investigation. The prosecutors wanted the mountain of digital evidence properly cataloged and verified before filing the strongest possible felony charges.

Grant, blinded by his own narcissism, mistook standard legal procedure for a personal victory.

Using Evelyn’s phone, he sent me a text while I was hooked up to an IV.

Come home right now, apologize to my mother, and tell the police you lied because you’re sick. If you don’t, I swear to God I will prove to a judge you’re unfit and I will take the baby the second it’s born.

I didn’t reply. I just silently turned the phone and showed the screen to Dad.

“He still genuinely believes fear is his greatest weapon,” Dad observed quietly, his eyes narrowing as he read the threat.