Chapter 4
I had never hated anyone the way I hated Daniel in that moment.
He stood in my basement as though he owned the house.
As though my mother were a patient he could hide.
As though my son were property he could collect.
“Where is Noah?” he repeated.
I stepped toward him.
“Outside.”
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
“Outside where?”
“Somewhere you can't touch him.”
The man behind him shifted.
I glanced at the medical bag.
“What is that for?”
Daniel smiled thinly.
“Marcus, you're upset. I understand.”
“Don't.”
He raised his hands.
“Let's talk like adults.”
I looked past him toward the stairs.
Police were on their way.
But I didn't know how far away they were.
I needed time.
And I needed Daniel to keep talking.
“Fine,” I said.
“Tell me why my mother is here.”
Daniel sighed.
“She became confused after her stroke.”
I felt something inside me tighten.
“Stroke?”
“Yes. A severe neurological event.”
I stared at him.
“Then why tell me she died?”
He hesitated.
“Claire panicked.”
Behind me, Claire made a small sound.
Daniel looked toward her.
“Didn't you?”
She stood beside the medical-room doorway.
Her face was pale.
I watched her carefully.
“Claire?”
Daniel's voice sharpened.
“Tell him.”
She swallowed.
“I…”
I turned back toward Daniel.
“Stop talking to her.”
He smiled.
“You always were controlling, Marcus.”
My fists tightened.
Then I remembered Noah.
I forced my hands open.
“You're the one standing in my house demanding my child.”
Daniel's smile disappeared.
“He requires specialized supervision.”
“According to who?”
“My medical assessment.”
“You never evaluated him.”
Daniel stared.
I took one step closer.
“You forged reports, didn't you?”
He laughed.
“You're making serious accusations.”
“And you're hiding my mother.”
He glanced toward the man behind him.
I saw it happen.
A tiny movement.
Barely noticeable.
But enough.
The man started reaching into his bag.
“Don't,” I said.
He stopped.
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Marcus, move aside.”
“No.”
“Your mother needs her medication.”
“Then the paramedics can administer it.”
Daniel looked surprised.
“You called an ambulance?”
“And the police.”
For the first time, genuine fear crossed his face.
Then he recovered.
“That's unfortunate.”
He turned toward the man.
“Let's go.”
But the stranger stepped farther into the hallway instead.
I moved backward toward my mother's room.
“Stay where you are.”
The man glanced at Daniel.
Neither answered.
Then I heard a loud voice from upstairs.
“Police! Anyone downstairs?”
Relief hit me so hard that my knees almost buckled.
Daniel turned sharply.
The stranger dropped his medical bag.
I shouted, “Down here!”
Footsteps thundered toward the basement.
Within seconds, two officers appeared.
They ordered everyone to keep their hands visible.
I immediately stepped away.
Daniel began speaking.
“Officers, I'm a physician. There's been a misunderstanding.”
I pointed toward the room.
“My mother is inside. She was declared dead six months ago. Please get medical assistance.”
One officer moved toward her.
The other separated Daniel and his companion from us.
Claire began crying.
My mother called my name.
I rushed back to her.
“I'm here, Mom.”
She was struggling to breathe.
Her face looked gray.
The officer spoke into his radio.
Paramedics arrived minutes later.
They examined her, checked her oxygen levels, and carefully transferred her to a stretcher.
I held her hand.
“You're going to be okay.”
She looked frightened.
“Don't let Daniel come.”
“I won't.”
Her fingers tightened.
“Promise?”
I leaned down.
“I promise.”
As they wheeled her upstairs, I saw Noah standing near the front door.
Rebecca had arrived and was holding him tightly.
My sister looked at the stretcher.
Then at our mother's face.
Her mouth fell open.
“Mom?”
Evelyn turned weakly.
“Becca?”
Rebecca covered her mouth.
Then she broke into sobs.
“Oh, my God.”
She rushed toward the stretcher.
“Mom!”
The paramedics asked her to step back so they could move safely.
Rebecca nodded through her tears.
I had never seen my sister look so devastated and happy at the same time.
She grabbed my arm.
“Marcus, what's happening?”
I shook my head.
“I don't know everything yet.”
She stared toward the basement.
“Where's Claire?”
I swallowed.
“Downstairs.”
Rebecca's expression changed.
“What did she do?”
I couldn't answer.
Not yet.
Outside, Daniel was escorted toward a police vehicle for questioning.
The other man was separated from him.
I watched from the doorway as officers secured the scene.
Daniel looked at me.
His expression was strangely calm.
Then he smiled.
Not warmly.
Not apologetically.
It was the smile of someone who believed he still had control.
I felt cold.
He mouthed two words.
Too late.
I stared at him.
Then I ran toward the nearest officer.
“He just threatened me.”
The officer documented what I said.
I looked back.
Daniel was staring straight ahead.
My phone rang.
It was in Rebecca's hand.
She glanced at the screen.
“Marcus, someone keeps calling.”
I took it.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke.
“Mr. Williams?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Angela Brooks. I'm an attorney.”
I frowned.
“How did you get my number?”
“I've been trying to reach you for three weeks.”
My stomach tightened.
“About what?”
“Your son's guardianship proceedings.”
I couldn't breathe.
“What proceedings?”
There was a pause.
“Mr. Williams, I assumed you knew.”
“Knew what?”
She sounded alarmed.
“A petition was filed claiming you were mentally unfit to care for Noah.”
I gripped the phone.
“That isn't true.”
“I understand. But there's a hearing scheduled for Monday.”
I looked at Noah standing beside Rebecca.
He was holding her hand.
His eyes were fixed on me.
“What hearing?”
Angela took a breath.
“One that could transfer temporary guardianship of your son to your brother-in-law.”
I stared toward the police vehicle.
Daniel was still smiling.
And suddenly I understood why.
Even with him under investigation, his paperwork was already moving.
May you like
He hadn't needed to take Noah tonight.
He had been preparing to take him through the courts.
