Chapter 5
“What… what the hell is this?”
I glanced at the photo, then gave a hollow little smile.
“What do you think? Ethan’s gone…”
1
The backpack slipped from Jacob’s hands as he stared at me, stunned.[]
“What do you mean he’s gone?‘
“That’s impossible.”
“He was totally fine! How could he just… be gone?“]
Yeah
Just a few days ago, he was calling me “Mommy” with that big bright smile, so excited to start school]
He shouldn’t have died.
Not if he had a father who actually cared.
“Say something!” Jacob grabbed my shoulders and shook me, completely forgetting what he’d done.
“Do you even remember what Ethan looked like the last time you saw him?
“Seven days ago?”
That day, he was burning up in my arms, barely able to breathe.]
But Jacob?
He glanced at him once and called it fake.
Said Ethan was taking it.
If he hadn’t ignored him… if he’d just helped…
Ethan wouldn’t have died.
He was killed by his father’s indifference.
Right now, if looks could kill, I’d rip him to pieces.
Jacob saw the hatred in my eyes and blinked, confused and shaken.
His brows furrowed as he replayed that day in his head, his face slowly draining of color.
The day it happened, he’d been busy cutting up an old calendar to make a kite for Tyler.
Paper scraps were floating everywhere.]]
And then he turned around…. and saw Ethan lying on the floor. I ran in seconds later.
But he’d already made up his mind.
He thought I was using Ethan to stall him.
He didn’t think the kid was actually sick!
Until now.
The realization hit him like a gut punch.
He stumped into a chair, all the strength gone from his body.
Why didn’t you tell me? Why would you hide something like this?”
His eyes were red, his voice hoerse.
Thie. I’m your husband. Ethan was my son. Why
I let out a bitter laugh and cut him off.
“You remember you’re my husband now?
“You remember he was your son?”
I went to your unn 1
They said you were out on a mission
“But then I saw you at Lillian’s house, playing horsey with her kid“]
“Elhan was lying in a hospital morgue, and you were there laughing with them
“You ever think how that would’ve made Ethan teet
That day, I stood behind the fence, watching Jacob smile and carry Tyler on his shoulders, spinning in dreies while Lilien giggled and chased them.
Just one wall between us, and it felt Eke a thousand knives in my chest
Jacob was always the strict dad
Once, he caught than playing tag with the other neighborhood kids–kushing, running bid
Chapter 5
He marched over, grabbed Ethan by the arm, and dragged him home.[]
“AD
you
do is mess around.”
“How are you ever gonna amount to anything?”
Ethan cried his eyes out that night.
He never joined the other kids again.
Jacob opened his mouth.]
Tried to say something.
ut.0
But nothing came out.
The man who’d never shed a tear, not even on the battlefield, had tears welling in his eyes.
He sat there for a long time before finally whispering.
“Where where is he buried?“]
“I want to see him. Just once.
I turned away, my voice flat.]
“He’s not buried.
“I had him cremated.
