The sun had barely risen when Emma and Tom pulled up to their new home. It was a modest two-bedroom apartment in a quiet suburb, far from both of their previous residences. The morning dew glistened on the grass, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. Under different circumstances, it would have been idyllic.
Emma's hands shook as she unbuckled her seatbelt. The events of the past few days had left her raw and on edge. After receiving the chilling email that revealed her father knew about their plans, she and Tom had scrapped everything. With Detective Ramirez's help, they'd found this new place in less than 48 hours, a feat that still amazed Emma.
Tom reached over and placed his hand over hers, stilling her trembling fingers. "Hey," he said softly, "we're here. We're
