Chapter 2: Things You Were Never Supposed to Know
Richard's hand was shaking.
Not much.
Just enough that Maya noticed.
She stepped forward and looked at the paper.
The name written across the top was not hers.
It was Nicole's.
"That's your handwriting," Richard said.
His voice was very quiet.
"That's your name."
Nicole's hand dropped from her mouth.
"Richard, I can explain—"
"You put that test on the counter." He wasn't asking.
"You pointed at our daughter.
You told me she was pregnant."
"You don't understand what's been happening—"
"Then tell me." He set the paper down flat on the counter.
"Right now.
Tell me."
Nicole looked at Maya.
Something passed across her face — not guilt, not quite.
Something closer to calculation.
"She was going to find out anyway," Nicole said softly.
Maya went cold.
"Find out what?"
Nicole turned toward the window.
Her shoulders dropped.
When she spoke again, her voice had changed completely.
"There are things about this family that you were never supposed to know."
Ethan was still standing in the doorway with his backpack on.
He hadn't moved.
He was watching his mother the way a child watches something they don't have words for yet.
Richard picked up his phone from the counter.
His face had gone very still.
"I'm calling your sister," he said to Nicole.
May you like
Nicole spun around.
"Don't you dare—"
