Chapter 1 - The Shadow of Doubt
Ethan stood frozen on the stone path.
He watched the woman who had just made his son walk pack her meager belongings into a canvas bag.
Noah was sobbing uncontrollably on the grass.
His small hands clutched at the expensive fabric of Ethan’s trousers.
“Dad, please don't make her go.”
“Go inside, Noah,” Ethan commanded.
His voice was entirely hollow.
He felt like a man trapped inside a nightmare he could not wake up from.
Claire zipped her bag.
She did not look angry.
She looked entirely devastated for the little boy crying on the lawn.
She walked directly up to Ethan.
She did not shrink away from the furious glare of the millionaire.
“I am leaving because you are paying me to leave,” Claire whispered.
“But before I walk out those gates, you need to ask yourself a question.”
Ethan tightened his jaw.
“I have nothing to ask you.”
“Ask yourself why Margaret insists on giving a growing boy a blue pill every night at eight o'clock.”
Ethan blinked.
“It is a specialized vitamin blend prescribed by Dr. Vance.”
Claire shook her head slowly.
“Vitamins do not cause a child’s legs to give out thirty minutes after swallowing them.”
“You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.”
“I was a pediatric rehabilitation specialist for eight years, Mr. Caldwell.”
Ethan felt the breath leave his lungs.
“I know what muscle atrophy looks like,” Claire continued.
“And I know what chemical sedation looks like.”
She reached into her pocket.
She pulled out a small, folded piece of paper.
“This is my number.”
She pressed it hard into Ethan’s palm.
“When you finally decide to be a father instead of an employer, call me.”
She turned around and walked away.
Noah screamed her name.
May you like
Ethan did not move.
He stood entirely still, clutching the piece of paper while the heavy iron gates closed behind the only person who had ever brought life back into his son’s eyes.
