Chapter 3 — The Breakfast That Changed Everything
The following morning Ethan sat at the breakfast table for the first time in months.
The twins nearly dropped their cereal.
"Daddy?"
"I'm not going to work today."
Avery smiled so hard milk dribbled down her chin.
Patricia forced a laugh.
"What a lovely surprise."
Ethan nodded calmly.
"It will be."
He reached beneath the marble counter.
Picked up a small remote.
Every television in the house turned on simultaneously.
Security footage filled every screen.
Patricia stealing Madeline's ring.
Patricia photographing confidential documents.
Patricia attempting to enter the office safe.
Silence.
No one moved.
Patricia's face drained of color.
"This isn't what it looks like."
Ethan finally looked directly at her.
"I know."
"It's much worse."
The twins looked confused.
Clara immediately knelt beside them.
"Girls... let's go feed the fish outside."
Without asking questions, they took Clara's hands.
As they walked toward the garden, Sophie looked back.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Is Clara staying?"
Ethan swallowed.
"She's not going anywhere."
Sophie smiled.
May you like
Then happily skipped outside.
It was the first peaceful smile Ethan had seen from his daughter in almost two years.
