Chapter 15 - THE NEAR MISS
For the next two weeks, we lived in a state of constant vigilance. A patrol car passed the house every hour. I drove Mia to school myself and waited in the parking lot until classes ended. Ethan walked her to every door. We locked every window and every door. We never went anywhere without telling someone exactly where we were going.
But Vanessa remained one step ahead of us.
She didn’t try to break in. She didn’t call. She didn’t leave another mark. But small things began to disappear. A picture of Rachel from the mantel. Mia’s favorite hairbrush. A coffee cup I used every morning. Things that meant something to us. Things that would make us feel watched.
She was letting us know she could come and go as she pleased. She was letting us know she hadn’t forgotten.
Then one afternoon, I received a text message from an unknown number.
*“You think you won. But you’re living in her house. Sleeping in her bed. Wearing her clothes. Everything you have… was supposed to be mine. And I will take it back.”*
I replied immediately. “Turn yourself in. You have nowhere to run.”
Her reply came seconds later. “I’m not running. I’m waiting. And when the time is right… I will take what is mine. And you will never see Mia again.”
I called the police and forwarded the messages. They traced the number to a burner phone purchased with cash. No leads. No location. Nothing.
That evening, I sat Mia down and spoke to her gently. “Mia, if Vanessa ever approaches you… if she ever tries to speak to you or take you anywhere… you run. You scream. You get away from her as fast as you can. Do you understand?”
Mia nodded solemnly. “I’m not afraid of her.”
“I know you’re brave,” I said, pulling her close. “But I need you to be careful. Promise me.”
May you like
“I promise, Dad.”
I prayed she would never have to keep that promise. But deep down… I knew Vanessa wouldn’t stop until she had Mia. Or until she was caught.
