I thought my husband was simply being a devoted father until my five-year-old daughter whispered through tears, “Daddy says I’m not allowed to tell you about our bath games.

The next morning, the gates of the massive Vance Estate in Duluth opened silently as my SUV pulled into the long, winding driveway. The property was a fortress of glass and steel, overlooking the gray, churning waters of Lake Superior.

Lily sat in the passenger seat, holding my hand tightly. "Mommy, is this where the bad games end?"

"Yes, baby," I said, kissing her knuckles. "This is where we win."

As I stepped out of the car, four heavily armed security guards surrounded us, their faces expressionless. Standing on the grand marble steps of the mansion was Julian Vance himself. He looked frail, leaning heavily on a silver cane, his skin pale, but his eyes gleamed with a terrifying, predatory hunger as he looked at Lily.

Behind him stood Michael. He had been bailed out of jail within hours of his arrest, his high-priced corporate lawyers wiping the slate temporarily clean. He looked smug, adjusting his custom suit jacket.

"Evelyn," Michael said, walking down the steps with a mocking smile. "I told you that you couldn't win. You should have just stayed quiet and taken your medicine. Now, you’ve made things so much more complicated for yourself."

"Where is the money, Michael?" I asked, keeping my voice loud and clear, channeling the image of a desperate, cornered woman. "You promised twenty million dollars. If I’m giving you our daughter, I want my share."

Julian Vance chuckled, a raspy, dry sound. "Ah, the housewife shows her true colors. Everyone has a price. Bring the child inside, Evelyn. The medical team is waiting. Once the compatibility check is verified, your account in Switzerland will be credited."

Michael reached out to grab Lily’s arm, but I stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"Not so fast, Michael," I said, pulling my laptop out of my bag and holding it up. "I brought the ledger. The real ledger. If you touch her before the wire transfer clears, I press delete, and the encryption key destroys every single bit of research Dr. Thorne compiled. Your billionaire friend will die in his wheelchair without her."