Chapter 16 Sara

The CPS worker stepped into my living room like she already knew the ending. Her eyes swept over everything, the clean floors, the tidy shelves, the framed school photos, Abuela’s crocheted blankets, but she didn’t see any of it. She only saw what she wanted to.

“Ms. Vega,” she said, flipping open her clipboard, “we received an anonymous complaint regarding neglect and unsafe living conditions.”

My stomach dropped. “That’s not true. There’s nothing unsafe here.”

She didn’t look convinced. She didn’t even look interested.

“Let’s begin.”

The interview felt like drowning. Every answer I gave, she twisted. Every explanation, she dismissed. Every detail about my life, she judged.

“You work two jobs?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re rarely home.”

“No, I...”

“You live with your elderly mother?”

“My grandmother.”

“So you rely on her for childcare.”

“She helps, but...”

“You have no listed father on the birth certificate?”

My throat tightened. “That’s… complicated.”

Her pen scratched across the page like she was writing a verdict, not notes. She walked through the house, opening cabinets, checking the fridge, inspecting the bathroom like she was searching for a reason to take my child. And she found one, not because it existed, but because she wanted to. When she returned to the living room, her expression was already set.

“Ms. Vega,” she said, “based on my assessment, I’m placing Gabriel into temporary protective custody.”

The world tilted.

“No,” I whispered. “No, you can’t...there’s nothing wrong here. You saw...”

“This is not up for debate.”

My knees nearly buckled. “Please. He’s seven. He’s safe. He’s loved.”

“You’ll have a court date on Friday,” she continued, pulling out a packet of paperwork. “You may present your case then.”

I stared at the paper like it was written in another language.

Friday. Four days. Four days without my son.

“Where are you taking him?” I choked out.

“A group home.”

My heart shattered.

“You can’t do this,” I whispered. “Please. Please don’t take my baby.”

She didn’t flinch. “Pack a small bag for him. Essentials only.” I felt sick. I felt numb. I felt like I was watching someone else’s life fall apart. But I packed the bag. Because I had no choice.

The second she left to get Gabe from school, the second the door closed behind them, something inside me snapped.

I didn’t cry. I didn’t collapse. I grabbed the CPS file off the table, got in my car, and drove straight to Velvet Lace. I didn’t knock. I stormed inside, past the bouncers, past the dancers, straight to Salvatore’s office.

He looked up, surprised, then concerned. “Sara? What...”

“You liar!” I shouted, slamming the file onto his desk. “I never should’ve trusted you!”

He stood immediately. “What happened?”

“I should’ve taken Gabe and run the second I realized you were my boss,” I said, voice shaking with rage. “I should’ve known better.”

“Sara,” he said, stepping closer, “I told you this morning, I want us to be a family. I want to help. I want...”

“Then explain THIS!” I shoved the file toward him.

He opened it. His face changed instantly, confusion, then anger, then something darker. “Sara,” he said slowly, “I didn’t do this.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I swear on my life,” he said, voice low and deadly, “I did not do this. But I will fix it.”

“I don’t need your help,” I snapped, turning toward the door.

He caught my wrist, gently, but firmly enough to stop me.

“Let me make a call.”

“Salvatore...”

“Please,” he said. “Just one call.”

Something in his voice made me stop. He pulled out his phone, hit a contact, and set it on speaker.

It rang once. Twice. Then a woman answered. “Ricci. This better be important.”

“Talia,” Salvatore said, “I need you.”

My breath caught. Talia. His cousin? I think that's who he is talking to.

“Tell me everything,” she said.

"Come to Velet Lace, this can't be done over the phone. And I need you to bring everything you have on an angent, Kara Barns."

"Kara? You, have got to be kidding me? What case is this about? I need to know everything."

Salvatore paused, then said "Gabriel Vega. My son. Get here now."