(Caroline's POV)
"If you let Charlie go, I promise, I'll let you go."
"You're lying!" Helen snarls, tightening her grip on Charlie. "You won't let me go!"
"Helen—"
"I'll go to prison!"
"Helen."
"And lose Rose forever."
Jason doesn't say anything this time. Doesn't need to. We all know that's true.
"Then why would I let him go?" Helen cackles. "If I'm losing everything why not take something from you?"
"Helen, please," I plead, my voice shaking. "You're not a child killer. You made mistakes, yes, but it's still not too late to turn back. I promise. I'll do everything in my power to help you if you just let Charlie go."
Helen stares at me. Then at Charlie.
The knife trembles in her hand.
And for just a second—just one heartbeat—I think she's going to lower it.
Then Samuel moves.
