He returned his attention to Ethan.
"Go on."
Ethan swallowed.
"Then she went upstairs. I followed because she was acting weird."
He looked toward the brown envelope.
"She opened her desk drawer. I saw Mom's handwriting."
His voice broke.
"I thought it was another note from her."
Richard's eyes filled.
Ethan continued.
"When Nicole left the room, the drawer was still open. I took the letter."
He lowered his head.
"I know I wasn't supposed to go in there."
Richard gently lifted his chin.
"We'll talk about boundaries later. Right now, I'm glad you told me the truth."
The boy nodded.
Tears slipped down his cheeks.
Richard pulled him into a careful embrace.
For a moment, Ethan clung to him.
Then Richard looked toward Maya.
He opened one arm.
She hesitated.
Then stepped closer.
He held both children.
Maya began crying.
The sound seemed to tear through the room.
Richard closed his eyes.
He had spent years believing that keeping a comfortable house and paying bills meant he was taking care of his family.
Now his daughter was shaking in his arms because she had not known whether he would defend her after being struck.
The realization was devastating.
He looked toward Nicole.
His expression became hard.
"You're leaving."
She stared.
"What?"
"Now."
Nicole laughed sharply.
"Richard, don't be ridiculous."
He stood.
He positioned himself beside his children.
"You hit my daughter. You tried to blame her for something she didn't do. And you've been hiding a letter from Laura for six years."
Nicole shook her head.
"You're making a terrible mistake."
Richard looked directly at her.
"Maybe."
He swallowed.
"But I'm not making another one by leaving my children alone with you tonight."
Nicole's expression changed.
She glanced toward the letter.
Then toward the staircase.
For a moment, Richard wondered what else she had hidden.
He did not intend to let her destroy anything.
He took his phone from his pocket.
"I'm going to contact the police and document what happened here. We'll arrange for you to collect your belongings later with someone present."
Nicole's eyes widened.
"You're calling the police on your own wife?"
Richard looked toward Maya's swollen cheek.
Then back at Nicole.
"Yes."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then Nicole's face changed.
The anger disappeared.
In its place came something softer.
Calculated.
She reached toward him.
"Richard, please."
He stepped away.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I have done everything for this family."
He said nothing.
"I was here after Laura died."
Richard's jaw tightened.
Nicole continued.
"I helped you raise those children. I kept the business running. I stood beside you when you could barely get out of bed."
Her voice broke.
"And this is how you repay me?"