Chapter 1: The Night Everything Changed
The silence after the television went black was heavier than any shout.
Diane Carter slowly lowered her smoothie.
"Ethan... what exactly are you doing?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he unplugged the Wi-Fi router.
Every phone in the room immediately lost its connection.
"What the hell?" Vanessa complained.
"My livestream!"
"My game!" Madison yelled.
Courtney rolled her eyes.
"Seriously?"
Ethan turned around slowly.
For the first time in years, none of them recognized the expression on his face.
There wasn't anger.
There wasn't frustration.
There was disappointment.
The kind that never comes back.
"I have one question."
Nobody spoke.
He looked directly at his mother.
"Why was my pregnant wife washing your dishes?"
Diane crossed her arms.
"Oh, Ethan, don't be dramatic."
"She volunteered."
Vanessa nodded immediately.
"She likes cleaning."
Courtney laughed.
"She said it helps her stay active."
Ethan quietly walked into the kitchen.
Seconds later he returned carrying one thing.
Olivia's dishwashing gloves.
The fingertips were torn.
The inside was stained with blood.
He placed them on the coffee table.
"Tell me again..."
"...that she enjoys this."
Nobody answered.
Madison finally muttered,
"She's home all day."
Ethan slowly turned toward her.
"So growing our son isn't work?"
Silence.
Diane finally stood.
"You've always spoiled that girl."
"Pregnancy isn't a disability."
Ethan took a deep breath.
Then he asked the question that changed everything.
"Where is Olivia's blood pressure medication?"
The room became strangely quiet.
May you like
Nobody answered.
His instincts immediately screamed that something was wrong.
