WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE?
Ethan had seen his mother angry before.
He had seen her insult waiters, fire assistants, freeze relatives out of wills, and smile through every cruel thing she ever did.
But he had never seen her like this.
One hand clenched.
Pearls twisted at her throat.
Claire on the floor beneath her.
The pills everywhere.
Linda trembling by the window.
The wheelchair empty.
“What did you do to my wife?” Ethan asked.
Margaret straightened instantly, as if posture could erase evidence.
“She had an episode.”
Claire flinched.
Ethan saw it.
His grip tightened around the suitcase handle until his knuckles whitened.
“What episode?”
“She became hysterical. She refused her medication. I was trying to help.”
Linda made a small sound.
Margaret turned her eyes on her. “Careful.”
Ethan dropped the suitcase.
The sound cracked through the room.
“Linda,” he said without looking away from his mother. “Tell me.”
Linda’s lips trembled.
Margaret whispered, “Remember your daughter.”
Ethan turned then.
Slowly.
“What did you just say?”
Linda began to cry.
“She made me lie, Mr. Harrow. She said Mrs. Claire was unstable. But she wasn’t. She was scared. The pills aren’t hers. The doctor isn’t hers. And the papers…”
Linda pointed toward the folders on the floor.
“She wanted Mrs. Claire to sign before you came home.”
Claire covered her mouth and broke into silent sobs.
May you like
Ethan moved between her and Margaret.
“Don’t touch her again,” he said.
