We agreed that Emeline should avoid her weekly poker nights while Norris was being weaned.
Firstly, the environment wasn't ideal for a child, and secondly, playing poker could be distracting, and I feared something might go wrong.
Frederic supported my view, and only after reaching an understanding with Emeline did I agree to let her take Norris.
But clearly, she had ignored our agreement and even lied to me.
"I'm bringing some things for Norris, and I'll be there in about twenty minutes."
"Oh! Why are you coming over so suddenly? You should have told me in advance."
Emeline's panicked tone confirmed my worst fears.
I hung up and pressed the accelerator harder.
When I arrived at the country house, I saw her talking on the phone at the entrance.
"Get Norris back here right away. My daughter-in-law is bringing things for him and will be here any minute!"
"Can't you come up with an excuse or something?" said someone on the other end.
I froze in shock and quickly approached her.
"Emeline, where's Norris?"
Emeline was stunned when she saw me, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for words.
I grabbed the phone from her and heard my sister-in-law, Vivien Heitkamp, on the other end.
"Oh, come on, Mom, I've already told the client. I can't bring Norris back until after the dinner. You've taken the money, and now you want me to return him? That's not how you run a business. You'll ruin my reputation!"
Vivien ran a wedding planning business in the town, handling events like weddings and birthday banquets.
But I couldn't understand why she would take Norris there.
Just the thought of my son being in an unfamiliar place made my heart ache.
I spoke into the phone, my tone sharp.
"Vivien, you'd better bring Norris back immediately. If you don't, I'll come over myself! Think of the consequences!"
Once the call ended, I turned to my mother-in-law.
"Emeline, Norris is your own grandson! How could you just let someone take him away?"
She glanced at me with annoyance.
"Hey, what do you mean 'someone'? Vivien is Norris's aunt. How can she be considered an outsider? With her around, how could anything possibly go wrong?"
I snorted in disbelief. On my way here, I had already called Frederic, and he was on his way back too.
From what Vivien had said, it was clear that Emeline had accepted money from someone.
"What exactly did Vivien take Norris for? Tell me right now!"