Brenda thanked the neighbor and ended the call, her thoughts spinning. Was Stacey hiding from this person? Could they be dangerous? The fear in Stacey’s eyes, her refusal to talk—it all pointed to something serious. Brenda’s stomach churned as she imagined the worst-case scenarios.
Brenda stood in the hallway, staring up at Stacey’s room. Whatever this was, it wasn’t simple. Stacey’s fear wasn’t just guilt—it was something deeper. Brenda clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. She needed to protect her daughter and the baby, no matter what it took.