The only thing you could hear in the hospital room was the soft, steady beep of the monitors. Matthewy there,pletely still, his face so pale under the harsh lights it was almost see-through. Reese''s eyes lingered on the thick bandages wrapped around his arm. She clutched her phone tighter, her knuckles turning white.


    She''d spent so long gathering evidence, fighting for the truth, determined to see Grace get what she deserved and finally get justice for her mom. But now, Matthew was lying here because of her. He''s sick and helpless, and she couldn''t leave him alone. He needed her more than anything.


    "Mr. Sanchez," Reese said quietly, her voice scratchy from exhaustion and worry. "I can''t leave right now. Please, just keep me posted on whatever happens."


    "Absolutely," Roman answered right away. "I''ll call you the moment there''s any news."


    She ended the call, moved to the edge of Matthew''s bed, and sat down. Watching him sleep, so vulnerable and quiet, she realized she didn''t even know when it happened, but Matthew had be so important to her. She couldn''t imagine not being here for him.


    ***


    At the Meyer family vi, the morning calm was shattered by the sh of red and blue lights outside. Sirens echoed through the house, making Grace''s hand shake so badly she almost dropped her ss of milk.


    "What''s going on?" Bailey asked, setting his tablet aside and looking toward the hallway.


    The butler hurried out to check, but before he could reach the foyer, Roman was already walking in with a group of police officers behind him.


    "Grace Meyer, you''re under suspicion of hiring someone tomit murder. We''re here to take you into custody. Please cooperate," Roman said, showing his badge as he led the officers straight into the dining room. He found Grace and gave his team a quick look. The officers moved in, ready to put her in handcuffs.


    Grace''s face went sheet white when she saw the warrant. She tried her best to stay calm. "Officer, there must be some mistake. I''ve been home all along. I haven''t done anything wrong."


    "Grace," Roman said, his eyes sharp


    as he held out his phone, the


    set


    recording already ying. "This is the evidence Alex gave us. You can hear everything you ordered Seth to cause the car ident that killed Marie Meyer, and threatened Alex afterward to keep him quiet. Is there anything you want to say for yourself?"


    "No, that''s not possible!" Grace turned to Bailey, desperation in her eyes. "Bailey, you have to believe me. I didn''t do this!"


    Bailey just stared,pletely shocked. He''d always thought Marie''s ident happened because Reese had been crying and distracted her. What did any of this have to do with Grace?


    Hank, though, was already angry,


    thinking about the call he''d had with Reesest night. He was convinced she was behind all this. He stepped forward, putting himself between Grace and the officers, forcing a smile. "Officer, there''s got to be some misunderstanding. We know Grace. Was it Reese who called the police? She''s always med us for our mother''s ident, and she''s never really forgiven Grace. She''s probably convinced herself Grace had something to do with it. For all we know, this evidence is fake. You should really double-check before you let her mislead you."


    Hank''s words snapped Bailey out of it. His face darkened. "Officer, are you really going to arrest my wife based on one random recording? That seems reckless."


    "We have plenty of evidence. The recording is just one piece,” Roman replied, calm but firm. He''d heard enough stories about this family, and he just shook his head. quietly. He signaled the officers to move forward. "Grace, you need toe with us now. You can exin everything at the station."


    Hank tried to block their way. "You can''t just take her! You need real proof."


    "Mr. Meyer, please cooperate. If you interfere, you could be charged with obstructing justice," Roman said, his tone turning icy.


    The officers took that moment to step in and fasten the handcuffs on Grace. She realized there was no way out. Swallowing her fear, she stood up and tried to steady her voice. "Don''t make this harder on them," she said. "I''ll go.”


    She turned to Bailey and Hank, her eyes red and ssy. "Take care of yourselves while I''m gone. And Sofia''s all alone overseas. Hank, you''re her big brother, you need to look out for her. Don''t me Reese. She''s been through enough."