Chapter 7
Lauren tried the familiar route first.
Charm.
Then innocence.
Then insult.
“Mike, she’s exaggerating everything.”
Her voice shook, but she lifted her chin like Patricia had taught her.
Michael finally looked at his sister.
For a moment, she saw the brother who used to fix her car, send her money, and defend her mistakes as “Lauren being Lauren.”
Then she saw he was gone.
Or maybe he had never really looked at her this clearly before.
The child-services investigator stepped into Lauren’s path before she could retreat up the stairs.
“Please remain where you are.”
Lauren’s eyes widened.
“I live here.”
Nathan Cole said calmly, “That is not currently the most important fact.”
Lauren turned red.
Patricia, restrained near the foyer table, snapped, “Do not speak to my daughter like that.”
Michael adjusted the baby gently as the child gave a weak cry.
“He’s burning with fever,” he said again, quieter now, almost to himself.
The investigator looked at Emma.
“Mrs. Carter, medical support is on the way.”
Emma’s knees nearly failed.
Michael reached for her.
She took his hand and rose slowly from the marble floor.
The foyer’s daylight made every bruise visible.
Lauren looked away.
Michael noticed.
“You can’t look at her?”
Lauren swallowed.
“Mike, Mom was trying to help.”
“By taking her phone?”
Lauren froze.
Michael continued, “By blocking medical care?”
“That's not—”
“By calling her unstable while my son got worse?”
Lauren’s mouth shut.
Patricia’s voice turned cold.
“Your wife has poisoned you against us.”
Michael looked at his mother, holding his feverish newborn and supporting his injured wife.
“No. The footage did.”
The word footage fell into the foyer like a door locking.
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Lauren’s face went white.
Read Chapter 8 👉 Because Michael had not told them how much he had seen, and that uncertainty scared Lauren more than any accusation.
