My throat closed, tears burning my eyes. “Gwen, baby, it’s Mommy. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“I’m scared,” she whispered. “Why can’t I come home? Why aren’t you here?”
I bit my lip, holding back a sob. “Because… because Mommy is fixing something, sweetheart. But soon, very soon, we’ll be together again. You just have to be brave for me, okay?”
“Will you really come?” she asked, her voice breaking.
“Yes, I promise. Mommy will never leave you. Just wait a little longer.”
“I love you, Mommy.”
The words shattered me. “I love you too, Gwen. More than anything.”
The line went quiet, and then Martin came back. “Satisfied?”
I exhaled shakily. “Thank you. I just… needed to hear her voice.”
“Good,” he said. “Then remember our deal. I’ll see you tomorrow. Prepare everything.”
“Yes,” I whispered, before hanging up, clutching the phone to my chest as if it were the only thing keeping me alive.
But my relief was short-lived.
Behind me, a voice cut through the silence. “What are you talking about?”
I spun around. Leandro stood at the doorway, his eyes narrowed, suspicion dripping from every word.