Chapter 8
Grant tried one last route.
Pity.
It arrived suddenly, like a coat pulled over blood on the floor.
He stopped struggling.
Lowered his voice.
Let his shoulders fall.
“I made mistakes,” he said.
Evelyn did not answer.
“I was overwhelmed. Chloe has issues. You know that better than anyone. She fights rules, she runs, she records things out of context.”
The nurse near the door looked toward the phone.
Out of context.
Grant had said too much again.
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed.
“What did she record?”
He froze.
“I mean generally.”
“No. You said she records things.”
“She’s a teenager.”
“Teenagers record dances. Friends. Songs.” Evelyn took one step closer. “What did Chloe record that made you lunge?”
Grant’s mouth tightened.
No answer.
Dr. Shah glanced at the security camera, then at Evelyn.
He understood the rhythm now.
Let him speak.
Let him stop himself.
Both mattered.
Grant looked at Dr. Shah.
“You should be treating her, not participating in this circus.”
Dr. Shah’s voice stayed calm.
“I am treating her.”
“Then get her out of here.”
Evelyn’s brows lowered.
“Out of the trauma room?”
“I mean away from all this.”
“All this being the camera, the phone, the documented injuries, or me?”
His eyes flashed.
“Her condition is your fault.”
Evelyn felt the words hit, but did not let them show.
Grant saw no wound and grew angrier.
“If you had left her where she belonged, she wouldn’t be so defiant.”
The room changed.
Not loudly.
Completely.
Dr. Shah’s hand paused for half a second.
The security officers stiffened.
The nurse inhaled.
Evelyn stared at Grant.
He realized it too late.
Where she belonged.
Defiant.
Not grieving father language.
Control language.
Evelyn’s voice became very quiet.
“Where did she belong?”
Grant said nothing.
“With you?” Evelyn asked.
Silence.
“Silent?”
His jaw tightened.
“Afraid?”
His eyes turned hard.
Evelyn looked toward the camera.
“Please note his response.”
Grant snapped, “There is no response.”
Evelyn looked back at him.
“Exactly.”
The phone remained safe.
Chloe remained still.
May you like
The monitor continued its uneven rhythm, refusing to give anyone relief.
Read Chapter 9 👉 Because Grant’s own words stopped sounding like concern and started sounding like ownership.
