The conversation happened on a Tuesday evening, as Robert and Emma sat on the porch watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and pink. The children were inside, doing homework and arguing about whose turn it was to choose the movie for family night. The security team patrolled the perimeter, invisible but present. And Emma felt, for the first time in months, something approaching peace.

"I need to tell you something," Robert said, his voice serious.

Emma turned to look ...