Chapter 3 - The Lie
“He doesn’t know what that means.”
Richard stared at his wife. “He knows ‘push.’”
“He’s two.”
“He knows ‘push.’”
Vanessa looked at Anna. “You taught him to say that.”
Anna’s stomach twisted. “When? In the thirty seconds since he fell?”
“You’ve been poisoning him against me.”
Richard carried Leo to the couch. “Vanessa, stop.”
“No. I am not going to stand here while an employee destroys my marriage.”
Anna felt heat rush to her face. “This has nothing to do with your marriage.”
“It has everything to do with it.”
“You told me last week you were worried Anna was getting too attached.”
Anna turned slowly toward him. “You said that?”
“I said boundaries were getting blurry.”
“Because Leo runs to me when he’s scared?”
“Anna—”
“Because I know which dinosaur he sleeps with? Because I know he hates peas but eats broccoli if you call it little trees?”
Vanessa smiled without warmth. “See?”
Richard rubbed his forehead.
Leo began to cry again.
Anna swallowed her anger. “He needs a doctor.”
That finally moved Richard.
Twenty minutes later, the pediatrician confirmed there were no signs of serious injury but recommended close monitoring.
Back at the house, Anna packed an overnight bag.
Richard found her in the guest room.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“I need you here.”
“You need to decide whether I’m dangerous or useful. I’m not staying while you do both.”
He lowered his voice. “I don’t think you hurt him.”
“You let her say I did.”
“I was trying to understand.”
“No. You were trying not to choose.”
Richard looked ashamed.
Anna zipped the bag.
As she lifted it, her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
She opened it.
There was a photograph.
Leo on the staircase that morning.
Vanessa behind him.
Her hand extended toward his back.
Below the image were six words:
YOU DIDN’T SEE THE WHOLE THING.
Anna’s skin prickled.
May you like
A second message appeared.
CHECK THE NURSERY. UNDER THE ROCKING CHAIR.
