CHAPTER 3
The morning sun filtered through the kitchen windows, casting long, bright streaks across the tiled floor, but the light did nothing to warm the cold, hollow feeling inside the house. Ethan sat at the kitchen table, a mug of untouched coffee cradled between his palms. The events of the previous night replayed in his mind like a horrific loop. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the deep purple handprints on Clara’s skin and heard his mother’s venomous words.
He looked up as Clara walked slowly into the kitchen, carrying Leo wrapped in a soft blue blanket. She walked with a noticeable limp, her body still aching from the physical altercation. The bruises on her face and arms had darkened, turning an ugly, mottled shade of yellow and black.
"How are you feeling?" Ethan asked, standing up immediately to help her into a chair.
"Tired," Clara replied softly, letting him guide her down. "Every muscle hurts, but... it’s a different kind of pain today. It feels lighter knowing they aren't in the next room."
Ethan set a plate of toast and fruit in front of her, though he knew neither of them had much of an appetite. "The detective called an hour ago. Eleanor and Cynthia were arraigned this morning. Because they have no prior criminal record and substantial financial resources, they were granted bail. But there is a strict temporary restraining order in place. They cannot come within five hundred feet of you, Leo, or this house."
Clara froze, her fork hovering over the plate. "They're out? Ethan, what if they come back? Your mother has a key to this house."
"Not anymore," Ethan said firmly, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small plastic bag containing a set of newly cut keys. "I changed all the locks on the exterior doors at six this morning while you were sleeping. I also contacted a security company. They are installing a comprehensive camera system around the perimeter this afternoon."
Clara let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "Thank you. I just... I feel like I'm looking over my shoulder constantly. I look at this house, and I don't see our home anymore. I see the place where I was trapped."
Ethan sat across from her, taking her hand gently, mindful of the bruising around her wrist. "We don't have to stay here, Clara. If you want to move, if you want to sell this place and start over somewhere where they have never set foot, we will do it. I will do whatever it takes to make you feel safe again."
Before Clara could answer, Ethan's phone vibrated violently against the wood of the table. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number, but Ethan had a sinking feeling he knew who it was. He answered it, putting it on speaker so Clara could hear.
"Ethan, it's Julian," a male voice spoke rapidly. It was Ethan’s older brother, a successful corporate lawyer who lived two states away. "What the hell is going on? I just got a call from Mother’s lawyer. She says you had her and Cynthia arrested over some domestic dispute? Are you out of your mind? The family reputation—"
"Julian, shut up," Ethan interrupted, his voice cutting like steel. "Mother and Cynthia physically assaulted Clara. They held her down and bruised her wrists and shoulders so badly she needed medical attention. They locked her away from her own baby."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. "Ethan... Mother can be difficult, we all know that. She’s old-fashioned and controlling. But assault? Are you sure Clara didn't overreact? Women after giving birth can be highly unstable, Ethan. You need to consider the possibility that—"
"I saw the handprints, Julian," Ethan snarled, his anger boiling over. "I saw them with my own eyes. The paramedics confirmed it. If you choose to defend them, you are dead to me too. Do not call this number again."
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He slammed the phone down, ending the call. He looked at Clara, his eyes filled with a painful clarity. "It’s not just them," Ethan whispered. "The whole family is going to try and protect their image. We are completely on our own."
Clara squeezed his hand, a flicker of strength returning to her eyes. "Good. We don't need them, Ethan. We have each other, and we have Leo. That’s our family now."
