Chapter 2
Richard’s physician arrived twenty minutes later.
Noah had mild hypothermia, several old bruises on his legs, and had lost enough weight that the doctor requested his pediatric records immediately.
Claudia laughed once when she heard that.
“He’s picky.”
Richard’s eyes lifted toward her.
Her smile disappeared.
Mark paced beside the fireplace.
“He doesn't eat when he wants attention.”
The doctor looked at him.
“He’s three.”
Mark’s nostrils flared.
Richard said nothing.
That silence forced Mark to hear how ridiculous his own explanation sounded.
Noah sat beside Richard beneath two blankets.
His drawing remained carefully flattened on Richard’s lap.
Richard waited until the doctor finished before asking:
“Who told you Mommy died because of you?”
Noah looked at Mark.
His small fingers curled into Richard’s sleeve.
“Daddy.”
Mark stepped forward.
“That is not what I said.”
Noah flinched.
Richard did not need to shout.
“Sit down.”
Mark stared at his father.
For several seconds, father and son simply looked at each other.
Then Mark sat.
Richard turned back to Noah.
“What did Daddy say?”
Noah rubbed one bare foot against the blanket.
“Mommy left because I cried.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
Noah’s biological mother, Sarah, had died fourteen months earlier in a mountain-road accident.
Mark had told everyone she was driving alone after an argument.
Richard remembered the funeral.
Mark had looked shattered.
Claudia had attended as a family friend.
Eight months later, Mark married her.
Richard had disliked the speed.
He had kept that opinion to himself.
Now Noah whispered:
“Daddy says if I make trouble, people go away.”
Richard inhaled slowly through his nose.
Across the room, Mark stopped moving.
Then the doctor returned with his phone.
“I reached Noah’s pediatric practice.”
Richard looked up.
“There’s a problem.”
“What?”
“Noah has missed his last four appointments.”
Mark immediately said:
“I rescheduled them.”
The doctor shook his head.
“No.”
May you like
His gaze moved toward Claudia.
“All four were canceled from a number registered to her.”
