I don't want you to panic, but I am frightened.
His hands began trembling more violently.
Maya watched him.
"Dad?"
He barely heard her.
He read the final paragraph.
If I cannot explain everything myself, please contact Daniel Carter.
Please listen before deciding what is true.
And please protect the children from anyone who makes them feel they must earn love by being obedient.
Richard's eyes filled.
Beneath the signature was a small handwritten line.
I was hoping we would grow old together.
He stopped breathing.
For six years, he had carried the memory of their final argument like a stone inside his chest.
He believed Laura died believing he no longer trusted her.
Now he knew she had been trying to reach him.
Trying to warn him.
Trying to protect their family.
And Nicole had hidden the letter that might have changed everything.
Richard slowly raised his eyes.
"Where did you get this?"
Nicole swallowed.
"Richard—"
"Where?"
His voice was quiet.
But there was no softness in it.
Nicole looked toward Ethan.
"He stole it."
Richard shook his head.
"That isn't what I asked."
She folded her arms.
"Laura left papers everywhere. I found it after she died."
Richard stared.
"And you kept it?"
Nicole hesitated.
"I thought it would upset you."
He looked down at the letter.
Then back at her.
"For six years?"
Nicole said nothing.
Maya stepped forward.
"Dad, she hit me."
Richard turned immediately.
The red mark on his daughter's cheek had become more visible.
His expression collapsed.
For a moment, he looked not like an angry husband but like a father realizing he had arrived far too late.
He placed Laura's letter carefully on the table.
Then approached Maya.
"Sweetheart."
She stepped backward.
The movement was small.
Almost instinctive.
But it struck him.
His daughter was afraid.
Not only of Nicole.
Of what Richard might believe.
He stopped.
"Maya."
Her eyes filled.
"I didn't do anything."
He nodded.
"I believe you."
She stared.
Then whispered, "You do?"
Richard felt something break inside him.
His daughter had needed to ask.
He looked toward Ethan.
The boy stood beside her, trembling.
Richard knelt in front of him.
"Did you see Nicole put the test in Maya's bag?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yes."
Richard swallowed.
"Tell me what happened."
The boy looked nervously toward Nicole.
Richard noticed.
He placed one hand gently on Ethan's shoulder.
"Look at me, buddy."
Ethan did.
"You're safe. Just tell me what you saw."
The boy took a shaky breath.
"She came home while Maya was at school."
He looked toward the backpack.
"She took something out of a little plastic bag and put it inside Maya's front pocket."
Nicole interrupted.
"Richard, he's eleven. He doesn't understand—"
Richard raised one hand.
"Stop."
She stared.