Chapter 1 - WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE
Rebecca Carter snatched the cleaning rag from the counter and hurled it at Noah.
It struck the six-year-old in the chest.
He flinched.
His eyes filled.
Rebecca pointed at the toe of her red heel.
“WIPE MY SHOES. NOW.”
Noah froze.
Across the kitchen, Hannah Carter was already on her knees.
Both hands were wrapped in thick white bandages.
She was scrubbing the tiled floor through obvious pain.
When she saw Noah trembling, she forced herself upright.
“HE’S A CHILD! STOP THIS!”
Noah grabbed her striped apron.
Rebecca crossed the kitchen and slapped Hannah.
Hannah’s head jerked sideways.
She stumbled against the counter.
“DO YOUR JOB. DON’T WORRY ABOUT HIM.”
Noah burst into tears.
Rebecca pushed the rag into his hands.
He slowly knelt.
Then began wiping her shoe.
Hannah dropped beside him and reached one bandaged hand toward his shoulder.
“Noah…”
Rebecca folded her arms.
At the dining table, eight well-dressed adults looked over.
Nobody stood.
Nobody spoke.
Then the front door opened.
Daniel Carter stepped inside carrying his travel bag.
Two steps.
Then he stopped.
His son was on his knees at Rebecca’s feet.
His wife was on the floor with both hands bandaged.
The room went silent.
Daniel’s grip tightened on the bag.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Noah whipped around.
“Dad!”
Hannah’s face collapsed with relief.
Rebecca turned slowly.
Daniel dropped the bag.
He crossed the room, lifted Noah, then helped Hannah to her feet as carefully as he could.
“What happened to your hands?”
Hannah opened her mouth.
Rebecca answered first.
“She had a kitchen accident.”
Daniel looked at his mother.
“I asked Hannah.”
Rebecca’s eyes hardened.
Hannah whispered:
“Daniel…”
Then she looked toward the guests.
Ashamed.
Afraid.
One guest stared down at her plate.
Daniel saw it.
He asked again.
“What happened?”
Hannah’s voice broke.
“Your mother told me you said she was in charge while you were gone.”
Daniel froze.
“I never said that.”
Noah clung to him.
Then the oldest guest at the table whispered:
“That’s exactly what Rebecca used to tell Lily.”
Daniel slowly turned.
Lily was his younger sister.
May you like
The sister he had not spoken to in fourteen years.
The sister Rebecca always said had abandoned the family because she was selfish.
