Chapter 2
Silvano did not question Ethan again that night.
He called a child psychologist instead.
He also called his attorney.
Lucia called fourteen times.
Silvano answered none of them.
The following morning, Dr. Karen Mills spoke with Ethan privately.
Afterward, she met Silvano in the hospital cafeteria.
“He says Lucia told him they were doing a safety test.”
Silvano stared at her.
“What kind of test?”
According to Ethan, Lucia brought him and Clara to the SUV because she wanted to demonstrate how quickly adults noticed when children were missing.
Marco supposedly planned to keep the vehicle cool.
Ethan remembered Lucia saying:
“Uncle Silvano needs to understand.”
Silvano leaned back.
“Understand what?”
Karen shook her head.
“Ethan doesn't know.”
Then she added:
“He believed he was helping Lucia.”
That made the betrayal worse.
Ethan trusted her.
When Lucia told him to sit beside Clara and keep her company, he did.
Silvano returned home and finally allowed Lucia into his office.
His attorney remained present.
“What were you trying to prove?”
Lucia sat stiffly across from him.
“You don't listen.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“I've been telling you for two years that Ethan shouldn't be living here.”
Silvano’s expression hardened.
“He lives with family.”
“He lives around armed men, business meetings, strangers coming through at midnight and people who treat you like they need permission to breathe.”
Silvano said nothing.
Some of it was true.
Lucia continued.
“When Daniel died, I asked you to let Ethan live with me.”
“The court appointed me.”
“Because you had the bigger house, better lawyers and more money.”
“I didn't fight you.”
“You didn't have to.”
Lucia looked down.
“I wanted proof.”
“Of what?”
“That this place isn't safe for children.”
Silvano stared at her.
“So you put two children in a locked SUV.”
“The air conditioning was supposed to be running.”
His attorney looked up.
Silvano did too.
May you like
Lucia’s voice broke.
“Marco told me it was running.”
