“But Marcus never borrowed money from anyone. He worked 3 jobs just to avoid debt.”

Rocco felt his jaw tighten.

“Tell me exactly what they said. Every word you remember.”

“The tall one had a scar across his cheek. He said Marcus signed papers. Said the debt transferred to me when he died. $15,000 plus interest.”

Sarah wiped her nose with the back of her hand.

“When I said I didn’t have it, they started taking things. Said they’d come back every week until it was paid.”

“Did they show you any papers?”

“Just a piece of paper with Marcus’s signature. But it didn’t look right. His handwriting was different.”

She looked at Emma, who had sat beside her and was holding her hand.

“They took everything in 2 trips. Furniture, appliances… even Emma’s toys. They said if I called the police, they’d come back for something more valuable.”

Rocco understood the threat immediately. In this world, when material things ran out, people paid with their bodies, their dignity, or their children.

“The man with the scar,” Rocco said calmly. “Did he give you a name?”

“Vincent,” Sarah whispered. “He said his name was Vincent.”

Rocco’s blood turned to ice.

Vincent Caruso.