given me rushed back at once.
I barely remembered the drive. By the time I reached the school, my hands ached from gripping the steering wheel.
Emma’s teacher met me near the front office.
“Come with me. The principal will explain.”
That only made my fear worse.
She opened the office door.
Emma was inside with Travis—and someone I never expected to see there.
Melissa.
The principal sat behind his desk.
Emma looked furious and close to tears. Travis stood in the corner with his arms crossed, angrier than I’d seen him in years.
I went straight to Emma.
“Baby, are you okay?”
She wrapped both arms around me. “I’m fine.”
I looked at Travis. “What happened?”
The principal stood. “Ma’am, there seems to be some confusion about pickup today. Your sister-in-law arrived to collect Emma this afternoon.”
I turned toward Melissa.
She raised both hands. “Ryan told me to.”
