Chapter 2 - THE HOUSE ON HAWTHORNE LANE
That morning, Emily begged Ethan not to leave.
Noah had not slept.
His skin felt warm.
Emily said something was wrong.
Ethan checked the baby’s forehead and found no fever with the cheap digital thermometer.
His mother, Margaret Miller, stood beside the crib and laughed.
“New mothers panic.”
Ethan’s sister, Lauren, agreed.
“She’s been watching too many videos.”
Emily looked at Ethan.
“Please stay.”
He had an emergency meeting at the construction firm where he worked.
A contract worth more than his annual salary depended on his attendance.
His mother promised to help.
His sister said she would stay all day.
Ethan chose the meeting.
It was not an act of cruelty.
That made the regret worse.
Before leaving, he kissed Noah’s forehead.
Then Emily’s.
“I’ll be back by lunch.”
At 11:17, Emily texted.
He’s getting hotter.
At 11:24:
Your mom says not to call the pediatrician.
At 11:31:
Lauren took my phone charger.
At 11:42:
Please come home.
Ethan did not see the messages.
His phone remained face down inside the conference room.
At 12:08, Margaret texted him.
Everything is fine. Emily is emotional.
At 12:36:
Don’t interrupt your meeting for drama.
At 1:02, Lauren sent a photograph of Noah sleeping.
Only later did Ethan notice the blanket wrapped too tightly around his body.
At 1:17, the home security system disconnected.
At 1:29, a neighbor heard Emily screaming.
At 1:41, Ethan returned.
The front door was open.
His mother and sister were gone.
May you like
Emily lay unconscious.
Noah’s blanket smelled of smoke.
