Chapter 4 - The Unraveling Lie
The drive back to the hospital felt longer than the trip into the storm the night before. My mind was spinning with questions. How long had Ian been out of rehab? Why were my parents enabling him again, using Lizzy’s safety net to fund his disappearance?
When I stepped into Lizzy’s room, Adam was sitting in a tiny wooden chair by the bed, softly reading from a picture book he’d bought in the hospital gift shop. Lizzy was sitting propped up against the pillows, a faint trace of color returning to her cheeks as she nibbled on a piece of whole-wheat toast.
Seeing her eat—really eat—brought fresh tears to my eyes.
"Aunt Nat!" she chirped, though her voice was still raspy. She set the toast down and reached out her arms.
I rushed over, wrapping her in a warm, gentle hug. "Hey, sweet girl. How are you feeling?"
"My tummy doesn't hurt as much," she whispered, leaning her head against my shoulder. "Is Uncle Adam going to stay? He knows all the voices for the bear in the story."
Adam gave me a soft smile. "I told her I’m not going anywhere."
While Lizzy was distracted watching cartoons on the small wall-mounted TV, Mark Henderson from CPS stepped into the room and signaled for me to join him in the hallway.
"The police searched your parents' house an hour ago with a warrant," Mark said in a low voice. "They found Ian’s belongings in the guest room. He’s been staying there for at least three months."
I closed my eyes, letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "And the rehab facility?"
"He checked himself out four months ago," Mark confirmed. "Your parents kept claiming the monthly trust checks on his behalf, filing false progress reports to the court guardian ad litem. They weren't just neglecting Lizzy; they were actively harboring Ian and funding his relapse with her money."
"Where is he now?"
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"He fled before the officers arrived," Mark said grimly. "We’ve issued an active warrant for his arrest, as well as formal felony charges against your parents for child endangerment, unlawful restraint, and financial fraud. The judge has officially signed the emergency temporary custody order. Lizzy goes home with you today."
Relief flooded through me, but it was quickly overshadowed by a sense of impending danger. Ian was desperate. If he knew the gravy train had dried up, there was no telling what he would do to try and get Lizzy back—or to get his hands on the rest of the trust fund.
