Ellis felt her heart race as she opened the door and came face to face with Rocco, Jake, and her daughter Donna. Her face was pale and distressed, and she lumped in her throat as she looked at Rocco, who had a serious expression. She couldn't speak, she just nodded her head in a silent greeting.

Rocco maintained his gaze on Ellis's eyes and then spoke in a deep and calm voice, "I went to the school to pick up Miss Amorielle, and when we noticed that you or your husband didn't show up ...