Chapter 6 - DANIEL’S SECOND QUESTIONDaniel was allowed to see Lily only after hospital security and police determined conditions.
He had not been charged yet over the slap.
But staff were not going to let him walk back into my room as though nothing happened.
He saw Lily separately.
A nurse remained.
I stood outside.
When he came out, his eyes were red.
“Rachel.”
I did not answer.
“Connor?”
“You saw the footage?”
“Police told me enough.”
“Did you know he was still in the house?”
“No.”
“Did your mother?”
He hesitated.
My stomach tightened.
“Daniel.”
“She said Connor was upset.”
“When?”
“Tuesday.”
“What does that mean?”
“Mom told me he and Lily had some kind of argument.”
“When did she tell you?”
“After dinner.”
My hands went cold.
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“She said it was nothing.”
“Your mother said.”
“Yes.”
I laughed once.
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“No. Give me exact words.”
Daniel looked away.
“She said Connor was teasing Lily and Lily was being dramatic.”
There it was.
Another adult choosing the explanation that required least action.
“Did she say magnets?”
“No.”
“Did she say he touched Lily?”
“No.”
“Did she say Lily was crying?”
Pause.
“Yes.”
My throat tightened.
“And?”
“I asked if Lily was okay.”
“What did she say?”
“Yes.”
“And you believed her.”
“Yes.”
He began crying.
I still did not comfort him.
Then he touched his own hand.
The one he had used on me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Not now.”
May you like
He nodded.
Correct answer.
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