Chapter 3 - The Coward in the Doorway
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Victoria’s confident smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but before she could speak, my son appeared behind her in the doorway.
Daniel looked every bit the successful executive, dressed in a sharp black suit with his silk tie loosened casually around his collar. He held a crystal whiskey glass in his hand. He looked from me, to Ethan, and then back to me.
“Dad?” Daniel asked, blinking in confusion. “What are you doing here so early? The party doesn't start counting down for another hour.”
I waited for him to look horrified. I waited for my son to run down those frozen steps, gather his freezing twelve-year-old child in his arms, and demand to know why his wife had locked him out in a blizzard.
Instead, Daniel took a slow sip of his drink and rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
“Dad, please don't start a scene,” Daniel muttered. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated?” I shouted, the fury finally bursting out of me. “Your son is sitting barefoot in eight inches of snow, Daniel! Look at him!”
Daniel avoided my gaze, looking down at his polished leather shoes.
“Victoria found money missing from her purse,” Daniel said, his tone flat and defensive. “We’re trying to teach him accountability. He needs discipline.”
Ethan began to sob, the harsh, wracking cries of a terrified child.
“I didn’t take her money, Dad! Why won't you listen to me?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened, and he glared at his son.
“Ethan, stop lying and go wait by the gate until you’re ready to confess.”
I stared at my son as if he had suddenly transformed into a monster.
“What did you just say to him?” I asked, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
“Dad, you don't live here,” Daniel repeated, refusing to look me in the eye. “You don't know what we deal with every day. He’s been acting out for months.”
“He’s grieving his mother, Daniel! And instead of protecting him, you’re letting this woman torture him in the snow!”
Victoria stepped forward, her voice sharp.
“We were handling a private family discipline issue before you barged in and ruined the evening, Arthur. Hand over his coat and leave.”
I didn't answer her. I reached into my coat pocket, pulled out my cell phone, and dialed three digits.
Daniel’s eyes went wide.
May you like
“Dad? What are you doing with your phone?”
“I’m calling the police,” I said firmly, placing the phone to my ear.
