Vanessa stood beside the dining table trying to regain control of her expression.
Daniel held Amelia in his arms.
Biscuit remained close to his legs, moving wherever the little girl moved.
Diane rose from her chair.
"Daniel, perhaps everybody should calm down."
He turned toward her.
For a moment, he could not believe she had spoken.
His daughter had been denied meals.
Forced toward dog food.
And frightened so badly that she trembled whenever Vanessa moved.
Yet Diane's first concern was the tone of the room.
Daniel looked directly at her.
"Did you know she hadn't been eating?"
Diane hesitated.
"Vanessa's been having some disciplinary difficulties."
He stared.
"That wasn't my question."
Trevor shifted in his chair.
"Look, man, kids exaggerate."
Daniel turned sharply.
"What?"
Trevor raised both hands.
"I'm just saying—"
"Stop."
The younger man fell silent.
Daniel looked toward the woman seated across from him.
Lauren Price had been crying quietly since he arrived.
"Lauren."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"What did you see?"
Her face crumpled.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Daniel, don't drag my guests into—"
He raised one hand.
"Don't interrupt."
Vanessa stopped.
Lauren looked toward Amelia.
Then toward the floor.
Her voice shook.
"I saw Vanessa pull her over there."
Daniel swallowed.
"And?"
Lauren closed her eyes.
"She kicked the bowl."
For a moment, the room seemed to tilt around him.
Daniel adjusted Amelia in his arms.
The child buried her face against his shoulder.
Lauren continued.
"I should've stopped it."
Diane made an irritated sound.
"Lauren—"
The younger woman turned.
"No."
Her voice rose.
"I should've stopped it."
She looked toward Daniel.
"I'm sorry."
Tears ran down her face.
"I was afraid of making a scene. I kept telling myself Vanessa was just being too strict."
Daniel stared.