For several seconds, he looked like a stranger standing in front of my house.
Then he stepped back.
One of the men spoke quietly to him.
Richard shook his head.
The tall man turned toward the SUV and made a phone call.
I closed the door.
My hands were shaking.
I locked it and moved away from the entrance.
A minute later, the doorbell rang again.
This time, it was Vesna.
She stood outside with Sophie in her arms, accompanied by her attorney.
I let them in after confirming their identities.
Vesna looked frightened.
“He’s not alone,” she whispered.
“I know.”
She glanced toward the front windows.
“He told me if I didn’t come here today, he would make sure I never saw Sophie again.”
Her attorney immediately contacted the appropriate authorities.
I took Vesna into the living room and helped her settle Sophie in a quiet corner away from the front door.
