Chapter 9 - The House Became a Cage
Richard removed a second document from his briefcase.
It was a psychiatric evaluation.
Maya’s name appeared at the top.
The report described hallucinations, memory loss and irrational paranoia.
The doctor’s signature belonged to someone she had never met.
“You forged a medical report,” Maya said.
“We documented your decline,” Celeste replied.
“I am not mentally ill.”
“Unstable people rarely know they’re unstable.”
Trent placed the report beside the guardianship petition.
“Once a judge signs this, I make your financial and medical decisions.”
“And the baby?”
“Our baby stays with me.”
Maya stared at him.
“You planned this before I became pregnant.”
No one answered.
That silence gave her the truth.
Maya backed toward the living room.
She needed to reach the emergency phone hidden beneath her dress.
Trent followed.
“Sit down.”
“No.”
He grabbed her arm.
Maya pulled free, knocking a wineglass from the table.
It shattered against the marble.
Red wine splashed across the white carpet and the lower half of her dress.
Celeste stood.
“Look what you did!”
Maya moved toward the service hallway.
Richard stepped into her path.
Trent caught her from behind and forced her to the floor.
She landed on one knee, then twisted to protect her stomach.
Pain shot across her back.
“You could hurt the baby!” she cried.
“You’re the one resisting,” Trent said.
Maya reached beneath her dress and pressed the SOS button.
The screen flashed once.
MESSAGE SENT.
Trent did not notice.
He walked to the wall near the fireplace.
Mounted above it was a wooden bat signed by a retired baseball player.
A gift Thomas had once given him.
Trent pulled it from its display brackets.
Maya watched him turn around.
Celeste resumed her seat.
Richard poured himself another drink.
They believed the doors were locked.
They believed Maya was alone.
May you like
They believed Alex Carter had died years ago.
👉 As Trent approached with the bat, an emergency signal was already racing toward the one man the Holloways feared most.
