My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped spinning. A chill ran down my spine, spreading outward until it pricked at my fingertips. I pulled both of my children closer, my mind racing to comprehend the enormity of Maisie’s words. This couldn’t be happening. Not with my parents—the people I had trusted implicitly, the ones who had raised me with love and warmth. The impossibility of it made my head spin.
“Maisie,” I whispered, forcing myself to remain calm for her sake. “You’re safe now, okay? Both of you are safe. I’m going to take care of everything.”
