I laughed nervously. “Why not? Did you forget something?”
He shook his head. Then he leaned toward me, his voice barely a whisper.
“…Dad…”My heart was racing. “What’s wrong with Dad?”
Ethan hesitated, clearly torn between fear and loyalty. “Dad said not to tell you. But… there’s someone home.”
I froze. “Someone who?”
He swallowed hard. “A woman. She sleeps in our room when you’re not there.”
His words hit me like a punch. I forced myself to breathe, to stay calm for my son’s sake. I didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, I buckled him into the backseat, my hands shaking, and drove, not home, but to the corner near our house.
“Be quiet,” I said softly. “We’ll just watch.”
We parked where the house was partially hidden by trees. From there, I could clearly see the front door. Less than ten minutes later, my worst fear came true.
The door opened.
