Emma's hands gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white."Mrs. Helen," she said, voice tight with controlled panic. "What happened? Is Alina hurt?""I... I don't know, Miss." Mrs. Helen's voice trembled. "But her door is locked from the outside. And when I asked if she was alright, she told me to go away. Her voice was—" She choked. "—broken, Miss. Like something terrible happened."Emma closed her eyes briefly.Every instinct screamed at her to drive straight to that house. To break down the door. To get Alina out.But Rachel's earlier warning echoed in her mind.*Don't go to the Blackwood house.*If Emma charged in now—without evidence, without legal backup, without a plan—Daniel could have her arrested for trespassing. Could call security. Could spin it as harassment.And Alina would be even more isolated.Even more trapped."Emma?" Mrs. Helen's voice was small. Frightened. "What should I do?"Emma forced herself to think.To be strategic instead of emotional."Mrs.
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