Chapter 7 - Picking Up the Pieces
Three days after the terrifying ordeal, our house was a crime scene under federal investigation, and we were staying temporarily at a quiet, secure family shelter provided by the police department.
The news outlets had a field day. Headlines blared across every major news channel: Local Executive Embezzles Millions, Flees Country, Leaves Children to Face Syndicate Hitmen. Photos of my mother's designer luggage and my father's corporate headshots flashed constantly across the screen. It was humiliating, surreal, and utterly devastating.
Mark sat beside me on the small sofa in our temporary quarters, gently holding my hand. He hadn't left my side once since the night of the attack.
"How are you holding up?" he asked softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead.
"I feel like my entire life was a lie," I admitted, staring blankly at the wall. "Every memory I have of them... were they all fake? Did they ever actually care about us, or were we just insurance policies to them?"
"They were narcissists, Sarah," Mark said gently, his voice steady and reassuring. "They cared about power and money above everything else. But you aren't them. Look at what you did—you protected Leo and Mia with everything you had. You and Mark and the kids... you're my real family."
Just then, the door opened and Detective Miller walked in, holding a thick manila folder. His expression was serious, but there was a faint hint of relief in his eyes.
"Sarah, Mark, I have an update," Miller said, taking a seat across from us. "Interpol caught up with your parents in Zurich just as they landed. They're in Swiss custody and will be extradited back to the United States to face federal racketeering and child endangerment charges."
A cold shudder ran down my spine, but the overwhelming grief began to give way to a strange sense of closure. They couldn't hurt us anymore.
"What about the house? And... and us?" I asked.
"The federal government has seized all of your parents' illegal assets, which means the house will be liquidated," Miller explained. "However, because you and Mark are legal adults, and because CPS has reviewed your case, emergency guardianship for Leo and Mia has been officially granted to you."
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Leo and Mia, who had been sitting quietly at the kitchen table drawing pictures, looked up in unison. Mia ran over and threw her arms around my neck, while Leo buried his face in Mark's waist.
We weren't rich anymore. Our dream honeymoon to Maui was gone, lost to non-refundable ticket fees. But we were alive. And we were together.
