"Lizzie Honey, why don't you sit down?" My mom inquires. I glare at her shortly without interrupting my pacing.

It's been more than 24 hours since Casey's father approached me outside of the hotel. After he shortly explained the situation, we went to the police station and he explained everything in detail.

"Sir, are you sure that you want to confirm your statement? You'll probably have to go back to jail." An officer asks.

"Yes Ma'am, I'll do everything to protect my daughter. That's all I've ever tried to do." He nods without hesitation.

"Understood. Officers are currently on their way to the suspect's house and multiple judges are signing different search warrants as we speak. In the meantime, I'd like to read out your official statement once more."

"I, Jorell Rogers, biological father of Casey Rogers, admit to kidnapping her."

Jorell and I turn to look at each other. After getting to know him a little better, I understand why Casey is who she is. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him.

"Even though I haven't come near her myself, I am the sole reason why this has happened to her. When I got sent to jail my goal was to keep my head down, follow the rules, and get out of there as soon as possible. But unfortunately that's not how it works."

"I soon found myself in life-threatening situations and had to 'buy' protection from a prison gang. At one point, one of the guards took me off working shifts, disallowing me to earn money, but I still needed the protection."

"When it became clear to them that I was getting released from jail, they threatened me. I quote: "Don't worry if you can't pay us back within a week. I'm sure your daughter will earn us enough money when she's grown up."

I clench my eyes, jaw, and fist when I remember the last statement, feeling disgusted and scared for our daughter. What if the officers can't find her?

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when I feel a hand touching mine. I look up to see Scarlett dragging me upstairs. She releases her grip on me when we reach a bedroom, wrapping her arms around me instead.

I haven't cried since I found out. I haven't eaten or slept. I've just been in this constant state of survival up until this point.

I don't know what came over me, maybe it's the lack of sleep, but the second my head touches her shoulder I break down. I don't even attempt to stop the sobs. Scar doesn't either, she just holds me tighter.

"I'm Scared." I cry out, not able to stop my thoughts from spilling. When my mom found out, she broke down. When my sisters found out, they broke down. When Rose realized Casey wasn't coming home soon, she broke down.

I held everyone. I ensured them Casey would be fine, cheered them up, and took care of them. But I was breaking down too. I broke down the second an officer said Dylan's house was empty, I just didn't have the time to show it.

I'm not sure how, but I suddenly wake up. Please just let it all be a nightmare.

"Go back to sleep Liz." I hear a familiar voice mumble. I look up to face Scarlett, realising I've fallen asleep on her chest. I try to pull away but she wraps her arms closer around me.

"It's okay, just lay back down." She says with a voice that tells me she just woke up too. I lay my head back down, feeling how drenched her t-shirt is.

"It wasn't a nightmare, was it?" I ask softly, praying that the answer is different than what I expect it to be. I feel her slowly shake her head, making me sigh deeply.

I hold onto her a bit tighter and start to drift back to sleep when distant laughter causes me to jolt up. I thought it was just in my head, until I see Scarlett looking at the door with wide eyes.

I roll off her and run to the door, bumping my toe against the doorpost with full speed but I couldn't care any less. I run down the stairs, almost breaking my neck in the process but it's all worth it when I see her.

I connect eyes with Casey who is sitting at the dinner table between Rose and Mary-Kate. The conversation slowly dies down as people notice my presence.

"Why did nobody tell me?" I mutter confused, my eyes completely focused on my daughter who now realizes I'm here as well.

I watch my mother slowly stand up from her stool, walking toward me. I feel her hands on my shoulder as she whispers in my ear. "Lizzie honey, maybe it's best if you go back to bed."

I break eye contact with Casey, looking confused at my mother. Why would she say that? After everything that happened I finally have my daughter back and she wants me to just 'go back to bed'?

I shake my head, looking back at Casey who's simply staring at me. Seconds later a big smile erupts on her face. She jumps off the stool with some help of Mary-Kate and runs toward me.

I crouch down but watch her run past me, my heart shattering into more pieces than it ever did. I slowly turn around to see her in Scarlett's arms.

I'm beyond hurt, but even more confused. I look up at my mother who is looking at me with nothing else but sympathy. She slowly pulls me up and drags me to the hallway. I don't fight it.

I keep my gaze on my daughter who is hugging Scar tighter than she ever hugged me. Scarlett looks over her shoulder, a confused smile taking over her face as our eyes connect.

"Mom why didn't she greet me?" I mutter in tears when the door closes behind us. My mother wipes them away as she takes a deep breath.

"There's no easy way to say this but-" she starts, but I shake my head. I don't need a whole speech, I just need an answer.

"Why?"

"We're not sure honey. She uhm- she hasn't asked for you at all." She says carefully. I nod slowly, taking her hands off my shoulders. I turn around and make my way back to the dining table. I connect eyes with Scar who is sitting at the table with Casey in her lap.

She furrows her eyebrows and looks between me and Casey. I wave it away and sit down at the other side of the table between my Mother and Ashley.

I'm not sure where to go from here and as much as I want to hold her right now, it doesn't seem like that's what she wants.

And she is my number one priority, she'll always be.

So I fight back my tears, put on my best fake smile and try to eat some food.

This is not how imagined our reunion to be.