Chapter 6
Claudia refused to leave at first.
Of course.
“You can’t throw me out because of one disciplinary disagreement.”
I almost admired the phrasing.
Nine hours barefoot in snow.
A disciplinary disagreement.
“This is not your home.”
She laughed.
“Mark invited me.”
“Mark can invite guests.”
Her face changed.
“Guests?”
“Yes.”
That word hurt.
Good.
“You live here because I allowed it.”
She looked toward Mark.
He did nothing.
Finally.
Not courage yet.
Fatigue.
I continued.
“You leave tonight.”
She folded her arms.
“And Ethan gets rewarded for disobedience?”
There.
Even now.
No concern about cold.
Only hierarchy.
I looked at her.
“My grandson survived your punishment.”
Then:
“Do not confuse survival with proof you were right.”
She left before midnight.
Not dragged.
Not humiliated publicly.
Her belongings followed the next morning.
Mark watched from the stairs.
He did not stop her.
May you like
Interesting.
Perhaps he had finally realized peace built on his son’s fear was not peace.
