But now, standing against the wall with tears on her cheeks, she finally saw the truth.
Marcus would sacrifice her without hesitation.
He would sacrifice anyone.
Even me.
Especially me.
The clock ticked.
Two minutes.
Marcus pressed his forearm against my shoulders.
“Walk.”
I remained still.
He pulled harder.
I closed my eyes for half a second and thought of my husband, Daniel.
He had been gone for seven years.
Yet at that moment, I could hear him as clearly as if he stood beside me.
Never let fear make your decisions, Evelyn.
Marcus dragged me toward the front room.
Every step sent pain across my ribs, but I focused on the floor, the doorway, the distance between us and the front entrance.
Rachel followed at a distance.
“Mom,” she whispered.
It was the first time that morning she had called me that.
Marcus reached the front hall.
Through the narrow glass panels beside the door, I could see dark uniforms positioned behind vehicles and trees.
