I knelt beside Mia, whose tears streamed silently down her cheeks. Her small body was frail, and her trust had been shattered.

“Mia, sweetheart, I am so sorry. I didn’t know. But from now on, it’s just you and me. I promise no one will ever hurt you again.”

She nodded, her eyes wide and vulnerable. The fear still lingered, but the presence of the microphone fragment on the tray was a symbol of the deceit that had been uprooted.

I knew that healing would take time—for both of us.

In what felt like an eternity, the police arrived. They entered the room quietly, mirroring the gravity of the situation unfolding in the dimly lit dental office.

Dr. Evans explained the situation, detailing the procedure and the discovery of the bug. The officers listened intently, their expressions a mix of professional concern and disbelief.