Chapter 10 - THE SECOND LIAR
Richard confronted Mark that evening.
Mark denied sending the email three times.
Then Arthur showed him the digital records.
Mark stopped talking.
“Tell me the truth.”
Richard's voice was exhausted now.
Not angry.
Just exhausted.
Mark sat down.
“I opened the email.”
Richard waited.
“Claudia had written it.”
“Did you send it?”
Mark rubbed his palms together.
“She told me it was for insurance.”
Richard stared at him.
“What?”
“She said if Ethan was diagnosed with certain issues, therapy would be easier to cover.”
“So you clicked send.”
Mark nodded.
“Without reading it carefully?”
Another nod.
Richard wanted to scream.
Instead, he sat opposite his son.
“Mark, how many times are you going to tell me that you didn't know what you were doing?”
Mark's eyes filled.
“I was trying to keep everything together.”
“You were trying to keep Claudia happy.”
Mark looked away.
Richard leaned forward.
“There is a difference.”
Mark's voice broke.
“She came into my life after Sarah died.”
“I know.”
“I couldn't sleep.”
Richard said nothing.
“I couldn't walk into Ethan's room without thinking about Sarah.”
Mark pressed his hands against his face.
“Claudia made things quiet.”
Richard finally understood.
Mark had not chosen Claudia because she made him stronger.
He had chosen her because she made it possible to avoid pain.
Then avoidance became obedience.
Obedience became complicity.
And Ethan paid the price.
Mark looked up.
“I loved Sarah.”
“I know.”
“I love Ethan.”
Richard's answer was immediate.
“Love that never protects a child isn't enough.”
Mark flinched.
Arthur arrived halfway through the conversation.
He placed another statement on the table.
“The missing money has a destination.”
Richard read the company name.
Brightline Family Services.
“What is it?”
“A private residential treatment network.”
Mark looked confused.
“For children?”
“Yes.”
Arthur turned the page.
“Claudia made an initial deposit six months ago.”
Richard's chest tightened.
“For Ethan?”
Arthur nodded.
Mark shot to his feet.
“No.”
Richard stared at him.
Arthur continued.
“She reserved a place beginning next spring.”
Mark's voice rose.
“He doesn't need residential treatment.”
“No.”
Richard stood slowly.
“Then why was she preparing to send him away?”
Nobody answered.
Then Mark whispered the one thing Richard had not considered.
“Because if Ethan wasn't living in the house…”
May you like
He looked at his father.
“…Claudia could control everything without him seeing it.”
