Chapter 6 - Michael’s Choice
Michael stood behind Dana like a man hiding behind the woman he claimed to protect.
Evelyn hated that she noticed the posture before she noticed his face.
He had always been their mother’s soft child.
The one Margaret defended.
The one Margaret forgave first.
The one who could forget birthdays and still be called busy instead of careless.
Now he stood in a police precinct while their mother sat bruised in handcuffs.
And he still did not move toward her.
Evelyn’s voice lowered.
“Unlock her.”
Ross answered before Michael could.
“Not until we determine whether she’s a threat.”
Evelyn turned.
“To whom?”
Dana lifted a shaking hand.
“To me.”
Margaret made a small devastated sound.
Michael closed his eyes.
Evelyn heard the sound and felt rage rise hot in her throat.
She swallowed it down.
Not here.
Not for Ross.
Not while they wanted her to become the thing they were calling Margaret.
She looked at Michael.
“Did you see Dana hurt her?”
Dana gasped.
“How dare you?”
Evelyn did not look away from Michael.
He opened his mouth.
No answer.
Ross said, “He already gave a statement.”
Evelyn’s eyes snapped to him.
“Did he?”
Ross’s lips pressed together.
Michael looked at the floor.
Evelyn understood.
A statement had been taken.
A story had been shaped.
Maybe typed before Margaret’s bruises were even photographed.
Maybe before body cameras were turned off.
She raised her phone again.
“Michael, look at me.”
He did, barely.
“Did you watch them call Mom unstable?”
His throat moved.
Dana whispered, “Don’t let her twist this.”
Evelyn’s voice became lethal.
“I’m asking my brother.”
Michael’s eyes filled.
He looked toward Margaret.
Then at Dana.
Then at Ross.
His fear had three owners.
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Evelyn saw all of them.
Read Chapter 7 👉 Because Michael’s silence had too many directions, and Evelyn realized he feared Dana and Ross more than the truth.
