Then I remembered the footage.
The thermostat.
The formula tins.
My mother’s voice saying, For now.
“We’ll cooperate,” I said.
After Lena left, Maya stared at the closed door.
“You’re angry.”
“I am.”
“At me?”
I turned toward her.
“No.”
“You look like you want to break something.”
“I want to understand how I missed this.”
Maya gave a tired, humorless smile.
“You missed it because they were kind when you were watching.”
That sentence stayed with me all day.
By late afternoon, building management had changed the locks. Daniel arranged for a private home-care nurse to begin the morning Maya was discharged. I ordered groceries, formula, medications, and a second space heater.
I also booked a small furnished apartment two floors above ours for two weeks.
Maya was surprised.
“Why do we need another apartment?”
“So the locks can be changed, the cameras checked, and the apartment cleaned before you go back.”
“You think they’ll come home.”
“I know they will.”
At 5:40 p.m., my mother sent a voice message.
Her tone was controlled, but I could hear strain beneath it.
“David, I don’t know what game Maya is playing, but you have created a serious situation. The hotel is demanding payment, Ethan is frightened, and Chloe is in tears. Call me before this becomes something you cannot undo.”
I played it twice.
Then I handed the phone to Maya.
She listened without expression.
“What do you think I should do?” I asked.
Maya returned the phone.
“I think you should stop asking me to decide what kind of son you are.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“It is, a little.”
She looked toward Liam.
“You want me to tell you it’s all right to confront her. Or that it’s all right to forgive her. Either answer would make me responsible for what happens next.”
I absorbed that.
“You’re right.”
“I don’t want revenge, David. I don’t want them humiliated. I don’t want Ethan dragged into this.”
“What do you want?”
“I want the truth to be allowed into the room.”
The phrase was so simple that it hurt.
At six o’clock, I called my mother.
She answered immediately.
“Finally.”
“Where is Ethan?”
“With Chloe.”
“Is he safe?”
“Of course he is safe. What kind of question is that?”
“Put Chloe on.”
“David—”
“Put Chloe on.”
There was movement, then my sister’s breathless voice.
“Are you out of your mind? The hotel froze the room charges. Mark had to call three friends.”
“Is Ethan safe?”
