In the days that followed, Elena finally decided it was time to take Sally to see Fay.
Though Sally had been restless with longing, asking almost every night when she would see her mother again, Dominic's stern reprimand about the danger she had caused by running away kept her unusually quiet. She tried to be good. Tried to behave like the adults wanted.
When Elena finally told her that her mother was very sick and had to stay in a hospital for some time, Sally did not fully understand it.
How could someone who had held her just the day before suddenly become too sick to come home?
Still, children often accept the versions of truth given to them , especially when wrapped in gentle voices and reassuring smiles.
"As long as I can visit Mommy…" Sally had whispered.
And Elena promised that she could.
That morning, Elena dressed Sally herself.
She chose a soft cream dress with tiny embroidered flowers, carefully smoothing every wrinkle before helping the girl slip into it. Her fingers lingered longer than necessary as she buttoned the back, her expression unconsciously tender.
When she finished, she crouched down and adjusted the ribbon in Sally's hair.
"There,"
she said warmly,unable to hide her smile.
"My pretty girl."
Sally beamed too.
For a fleeting moment, something warm filled her chest, the quiet satisfaction of having a child's presence in the house
"Ready?" she asked.
Sally nodded eagerly.
Dominic dropped them off at the detention station before driving away toward the hospital.
What he did not tell them was that he had received a call that morning.
Mr. Frederick had woken up.
Sally could barely contain her excitement as they were escorted inside after the necessary procedures.
They were led into a visitation room.
Inside was a heavy metal table bolted securely to the floor, with chairs on either side. A uniformed officer stood just outside the half-open door, close enough to hear if voices rose.
The moment the opposite door opened, she saw her.
"Mommy!"
Her small voice rang through the room as she ran forward.
Fay looked worn, her skin dull, dark shadows beneath her eyes, but the instant she saw her daughter, her entire face transformed.
"My baby…"
She dropped to her knees just in time to catch the child who collided into her arms.
She lifted Sally and held her tightly.
Sally buried herself into her mother's embrace as if afraid she might disappear again.
Behind them, Elena stood quietly, an unexpected discomfort settling in her chest as she watched the reunion.
"Have you been a good girl?" Fay asked softly, pulling back just enough to examine Sally's face.
"I miss Mommy so much…" Sally sobbed.
"Mommy misses you even more," Fay whispered, tearfully as she tapped the girl lightly on the nose, smiling.
Then her gaze lifted.
"Thank you, Elena… for looking after my daughter."
"There's no need for thanks between family," Elena replied smoothly. "Besides, Sally has been a wonderful girl. Taking care of her has been my joy."
Fay smiled gratefully .
She turned back to Sally.
"Mommy just has a few things to settle. Once I'm done, I'll come pick you up, alright?"
But Sally hesitated.
She glanced at Elena.
Then back at her mother.
"But Aunt Elena said you're sick… and that you need to stay in the hospital."
The words fell innocently.
But their effect was immediate.
Fay's head snapped toward Elena.
Surprise.
Confusion.
"Elena…?"
Elena inhaled quietly.
"Sally, sweetheart, could you wait outside for a moment? I need to speak with your mother."
But Sally tightened her hold around Fay's neck.
"No. I want to stay with Mommy."
After gentle coaxing from Fay, Sally was finally persuaded to step outside with the officer.
The door shut.
Silence followed.
Fay turned slowly.
"What is this about me being sick?"
Her breathing quickened.
"Is this because of Mr. Frederick? Yes, I hit him, but he attacked me first! That man is dangerous , he's after Sally, Elena. He wants to hurt my daughter…"
Her voice spiraled upward, panic clawing its way back.
"Fay."
Elena's tone was firm.
"Calm down. Breathe."
After several shaky inhales, Fay managed to steady herself enough to listen.
Elena spoke gently.
"Dominic has already consulted a doctor. After what happened at the station… they believe it would be best if you were placed under psychiatric observation for a while."
Then, she told her everything of Dominic's plan.
The psychiatric facility.
The temporary admission, positioned as the easiest way to make the assault case disappear.
Fay stared at her as if the world had tilted.
"No… no, I can't leave Sally. What happens to her while I'm locked away?"
"Sally will stay with me," Elena said gently. "I'll care for her."
"No…" Fay shook her head frantically. "It's not that I don't trust you, it's Dominic. He works with Frederick. What if that man comes after my child? I can't let her stay anywhere near him!"
Elena frowned slightly, discomfort flickering across her face.
"I know you and Dominic have had disagreements," she said carefully. "But procedures must be followed."
"Do you believe all that too?" Fay grabbed Elena's hand, desperation flooding her voice. "Ray would never have signed anything like that. Never! Something is wrong!"
Her grip tightened.
"I don't care about the land anymore… but Sally? I must protect her."
"With what?"
The words slipped out sharper than Elena intended.
She pulled her hand free, the sudden movement startling Fay into silence.
Then, almost immediately, Elena softened her expression.
"Look at yourself, Fay," she said quietly.
"Since Ray's death, you've been losing yourself. You're exhausted… unstable. You need help."
Her hand returned, this time resting over Fay's trembling fingers.
"This is an opportunity to heal. Stay at the hospital for a while. Get better. Don't worry about Sally, I will protect her. I promise."
She smiled.
Warm.
Reassuring.
But as Fay looked into that smile, a chill spread through her body.
Cold to her bones.
A realization began forming,
A single thought echoed in her mind.
She's taking my daughter away from me.
"No…" Fay whispered internally. No, no…
A knock cut through the tension.
"Time's up."
The officer stepped inside.
Elena leaned forward and embraced Fay, who remained stiff in her seat.
"I'll take care of Sally," Elena murmured.
"Just focus on getting better."
As Elena walked out of the room, a single tear slipped silently down Fay's cheek.