Chapter 2: The Smile from the Kitchen
Michael turned slowly.
Standing at the edge of the porch was Claire, his wife, holding a glass of water in one hand, smiling as if nothing in the world was wrong.
“There you are,” she said gently. “I was wondering where you went.”
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
Michael didn’t answer. His body instinctively shifted between her and the doghouse.
Claire’s eyes followed his movement… then briefly flicked toward the wooden structure.
A pause.
Just a fraction of a second.
But it was enough.
“Oh,” she said softly, tilting her head. “You found them.”
The words didn’t sound like surprise.
They sounded like confirmation.
Michael’s throat tightened. “What did you do?”
Claire took a slow sip of water, then placed the glass on the porch railing with careful precision.
“I did what you couldn’t,” she replied quietly. “I made sure they stopped asking questions.”
From inside the doghouse, Oliver whimpered.
Emily pulled him closer.
Michael stepped forward sharply. “They’re children.”
Claire’s smile didn’t change.
May you like
“I know.”
And then she added, almost gently, “That’s why it was so easy.”
