“Who are you talking to?” he barked. Then silence.

My heart stopped. “Emma? Emma!”

I immediately called my ex-husband, Mark. He answered on the second ring, sounding irritated.

“Jessica, what the hell is this about now? Emma said some nonsense before hanging up on me.”

“Mark,” I said, trying to keep my composure, “she told me Wayne hit her. She sounded terrified. You need to check on her right now!”

Mark scoffed. “She’s a pathetic liar. Wayne would never hurt anyone.”

Before I could reply, I heard a man shouting in the background—Wayne’s voice.

“Tell her Mommy she’s next if she tries anything!”