Marcus helped Mason fit two pieces of the model's wing together.
For several minutes, they worked quietly.
Then Mason looked toward the kitchen.
"Dad?"
Marcus turned.
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
The boy hesitated.
"Do you ever wish I hadn't recorded it?"
Marcus became still.
For a moment, he studied Mason's face.
Then he set down the wooden wing.
"No."
Mason looked uncertain.
"Even though everything got so complicated?"
Marcus nodded.
"Even then."
The boy stared at the table.
For several seconds, he seemed to be thinking carefully.
Then he whispered.
"I thought it would be easier if I just deleted everything."
Marcus felt his chest tighten.
He understood why.
Mason had been frightened of his mother.
Afraid of losing Marcus.
And worried that Lily would suffer more if the adults discovered he'd been recording.
He'd carried a burden far beyond what any child should have been responsible for.
Marcus leaned closer.
"You shouldn't have needed to collect evidence to feel heard."
Mason looked up.
Marcus continued.
"I'm grateful you spoke. But I wish an adult had noticed and helped before you had to."
For a moment, Mason's eyes filled.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Me too."
Marcus put one arm around him.
They sat together quietly.
A few minutes later, Lily approached carrying her drawing.
"Look!"
The butterfly had enormous purple wings and a bright-yellow body.
Mason grinned.
"That's awesome."
Lily smiled proudly.
Then asked whether he wanted to help draw the flowers.
The boy laughed.
"Sure."
And just like that, the afternoon returned to something ordinary.
A brother helping his little sister with a picture.
A father sitting beside them.
And a house where nobody was afraid to ask a simple question.
The first anniversary of the department-store-style confrontation at the dining table passed without a celebration.
Marcus didn't want to turn the day into an annual reminder of Lily's fear.
But he remembered.
He remembered every detail.
The empty plate.
Vanessa's navy-blue blouse.
Lily pressing one hand against her tear-covered cheek.
The padlock on the pantry.
And Mason standing beside the staircase with his phone.
For months, Marcus had replayed the scene in his mind, wondering what would've happened if his meeting hadn't been cancelled.