Chapter 10: The Night Someone Entered Our House
I called the police before I called my mother.
Daniel insisted that we treat the message as a credible threat, especially because the photograph contained Nia's actual hospital admission schedule.
Within twenty minutes, two officers were standing in our living room.
One examined the message on my phone. The other spoke privately with Nia.
"Have you received threats from anyone else?"" the officer asked.
Nia nodded.
"My husband's mother has been contacting me. She said things would become difficult if I refused to cooperate with her.""
"Did she threaten physical harm?""
"No. But she kept saying I wouldn't be allowed to bring my baby home.""
The officer wrote something down.
"Do you know who sent this latest message?""
"No.""
I showed him the photograph.
He studied it carefully.
"Where did this schedule come from?""
"Her doctor's office. Only a few people should have access to it.""
"Have you contacted the hospital?""
"Not yet.""
He nodded.
"Do that immediately. We'll document the threat and investigate the source.""
Daniel was already on the phone with the hospital's security administrator.
I could hear him speaking in short, controlled sentences.
"Yes, this is Daniel Foster, representing Marcus and Nia Williams. We need an immediate review of access to the patient's records.""
He paused.
"Who accessed the admission schedule?""
Another pause.
Then his expression changed.
"Please preserve the access logs. Nobody should alter or delete anything.""
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
"What happened?""
"The hospital confirmed that someone accessed Nia's admission information yesterday.""
"Who?""
"They're checking the authorization records.""
Nia gripped my hand.
"Was it my mother-in-law?""
"We don't know yet.""
I turned toward the officers.
"Can someone stay here tonight?""
One officer nodded.
"We can arrange additional patrols. You should also consider changing your access codes and securing the property.""
I thanked them.
After they left, I checked every window and door.
Then I installed an additional security camera near the side entrance.
Nia watched me from the sofa.
"Marcus, you're scaring yourself.""
I stopped.
She was right.
I had been walking around the house as if somebody could appear from behind every door.
I sat beside her.
"I'm sorry.""
She rested her head against my shoulder.
"I just want our baby to be born safely.""
"He will be.""
"What if they really try something?""
I kissed her forehead.
"Then they'll have to get through me first.""
She looked up.
"Promise me something.""
"Anything.""
"Don't do anything reckless because you're angry.""
I nodded.
"I promise.""
That night, we slept in the same bedroom with the lights on.
At 2:17 a.m., my phone vibrated.
A security notification.
Someone had triggered the motion sensor near the garage.
I sat up.
Nia woke immediately.
"What is it?""
"Stay here.""
"Marcus—"
"I'll check the camera.""
I opened the security application.
The screen showed a figure wearing a dark hoodie standing near the side gate.
The person looked directly at the camera.
Then raised one hand.
A small white envelope was visible between their fingers.
I called the police.
While waiting, I watched the figure walk toward the front door.
They didn't ring the bell.
They slipped the envelope underneath it.
Then they turned and disappeared into the darkness.
I didn't open the door until the officers arrived.
One of them retrieved the envelope using gloves.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Nia standing outside her doctor's office two days earlier.
Someone had circled her stomach in red ink.
On the back was a handwritten message.
The baby belongs with the family that can give him what you cannot.
Nia saw the photograph.
Her face crumpled.
I immediately put it away.
"Don't look at it anymore.""
The officer asked whether I recognized the handwriting.
I shook my head.
But something about the wording felt familiar.
My mother had used the phrase what you cannot provide during arguments with Nia.
I called Daniel.
He arrived before sunrise.
After examining the photograph, he placed it inside a protective evidence sleeve.
"Marcus, this is no longer just a dispute about money or family boundaries.""
"I know.""
"We need to determine who is sending these messages and whether anyone has access to your property.""
He looked at the security footage.
The figure's face was hidden.
But the shoes were visible.
Black leather boots with a distinctive silver buckle.
I stared at the screen.
I had seen those boots before.
At my mother's house.
Brielle wore a similar pair.
I called her.
She answered after several rings.
"What?""
"Where were you last night?""
"At home.""
"All night?""
"Why are you asking?""
"Someone came to my house.""
There was silence.
"What happened?""
"An envelope was left at the front door.""
Brielle exhaled sharply.
"Was it a photograph?""
I froze.
"How did you know?""
She didn't answer.
"Brielle?""
"I need to see you.""
"Answer the question.""
"Marcus, I can't explain over the phone.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was listening.
"Where are you?""
"At Mom's house.""
"Don't go anywhere.""
I ended the call.
Daniel immediately advised me not to confront her alone.
We arranged to meet Brielle at his office with the police informed.
When she arrived, she looked exhausted.
She sat down and immediately began crying.
"Marcus, I didn't send that envelope.""
"Then how did you know what was inside?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Because Mom showed me the photograph.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Why?""
"She said it was a warning.""
"A warning from whom?""
Brielle looked at Daniel.
Then she whispered:
"From Uncle Thomas.""
I stared at her.
"Thomas is working with Mom.""
"Not anymore.""
"What happened?""
Brielle opened her handbag and removed a small flash drive.
"Mom has been recording her conversations with him. They had a huge argument yesterday.""
Daniel took the drive.
"What's on it?""
"Everything.""
I looked at my sister.
"Why are you giving us this?""
She lowered her eyes.
"Because I heard Mom say something about the hospital.""
My stomach tightened.
"What?""
Brielle swallowed.
"She said if the legal plan failed, she would make sure Nia was separated from the baby immediately after delivery.""
Nia wasn't at the meeting. I had insisted she remain home with a friend.
I gripped the table.
"How?""
Brielle looked at Daniel.
"She has someone at the hospital.""
The room went silent.
Daniel slowly leaned forward.
"Who?""
Brielle shook her head.
"I don't know her name. But Mom said the woman would make sure Nia was taken somewhere else after delivery.""
I felt sick.
"Taken where?""
Brielle began crying.
"She said it would look like a medical precaution.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Did your mother explain how?""
"No.""
I stood.
"That's enough.""
Daniel raised his hand.
"Marcus, sit down. We need to handle this properly.""
I forced myself back into the chair.
He took the flash drive and placed it inside his briefcase.
Then he looked at Brielle.
"Is there anything else we need to know?""
She hesitated.
Finally, she reached into her handbag again.
This time, she produced a folded photograph.
It showed my mother standing beside a man in front of a private airport terminal.
The man was older, with gray hair and a familiar face.
My uncle Thomas.
On the back, someone had written a date.
Three days from now.
May you like
Beneath it were five words.
*One last trip before the baby.*
