I drove faster than I ever had before.
Not because of the rabbit.
Because of what it meant.
Someone believed my daughter’s most precious possession was carrying a secret.
A secret adults had been fighting over for years.
When I arrived home, police cars were already outside.
The front door was open.
Again.
I hated that.
I hated how easily people had entered the place where my daughter was supposed to feel safe.
I ran inside.
“Where is Marcus?””
An officer stepped forward.
“He escaped before we arrived.””
My fists clenched.
“What did he take?””
The officer looked at Rebecca.
She answered.
“Nia’s stuffed rabbit.””
I looked around.
“That’s it?””
“Yes.””
I felt confused.
“Why?””
Nobody answered.
Then Tanya walked in.
She looked at the empty spot where Nia kept her things.
And whispered:
“Because he knows.””
I turned.
“Knows what?””
She looked at me.
“The rabbit was given to Nia by her father.””
I froze.
“What?””
She nodded.
“Before he disappeared.””
I stared.
“I thought you said he was gone.””
“He was.””
“Then why would Marcus want the rabbit?””
Tanya swallowed.
“Because her father put something inside it.””
The room went quiet.
I looked at Rebecca.
“Can we find him?””
“We’re trying.””
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Marcus.
*You finally understand.*
Another message appeared.
*The rabbit was never a toy.*
Then a picture.
The rabbit.
Cut open.
My heart dropped.
Inside was a tiny memory card.
Marcus had found it.
I called immediately.
He answered.
“You should have listened to Tanya.””
My jaw tightened.
“Where is my daughter’s rabbit?””
“Safe.””
“You stole from my child.””
“I took back something that belongs to the truth.””
“What do you want?””
Silence.
Then:
“The file.””
“What file?””
“You know.””
I looked at Tanya.
She looked terrified.
Marcus continued.
“The one Nia’s father left.””
I said nothing.
“Darius, you think this is about custody?””
His voice became colder.
“It never was.””
“Then what is it about?””
“The evidence your daughter’s father collected before he died.””
I felt a chill.
“What evidence?””
Marcus laughed softly.
“Ask Tanya.””
The call ended.
I turned toward her.
She looked defeated.
“What?””
She sat down.
“I knew about the file.””
My anger returned.
“Of course you did.””
“But I never had it.””
“Then who does?””
She shook her head.
“I don’t know.””
Rebecca’s phone suddenly rang.
She answered.
Then her expression changed.
“What?””
She listened.
“No, that’s impossible.””
I looked at her.
“What happened?””
She slowly lowered the phone.
“The police found Marcus’s location.””
“Where?””
She looked at me.
“At the old house where Nia’s father lived.””
I felt a strange fear.
“Why would he go there?””
Rebecca looked toward Tanya.
“Because someone else is there.””
My heart sank.
“Who?””
Nobody answered.
Then my phone received a new message.
A photo.
Marcus standing inside the old house.
Beside him was an elderly man.
A man I had never seen before.
But beneath the picture was a name.
A name that made Tanya whisper:
“No…”
I looked at her.
“Who is he?””
Her face turned white.
“That’s Nia’s grandfather.””
A second message appeared.
*Bring me the file, or your daughter learns the truth from me first.*
