Chapter Two: The Truth Inside the House
Michael didn’t stop until they were inside.
Warm light flooded the kitchen, but it felt wrong now—like a stage set hiding something ugly behind it.
He set Oliver gently on a chair, grabbing a glass of water with shaking hands, while Emily stayed close, her fingers gripping his sleeve like she was afraid he might disappear.
“Drink slowly, buddy,” Michael said, kneeling beside Oliver.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Calm. Unhurried.
Karen appeared in the doorway.
She took in the scene—the dirt, the children, Michael’s expression—and sighed.
“I was wondering when you’d notice,” she said.
Michael stood up slowly.
“What did you do?” he asked.
Karen crossed her arms. “I disciplined them.”
“In a doghouse?” His voice rose despite himself. “They’re children, Karen.”
“They were screaming,” she replied coolly. “Throwing things. I told them to calm down. They didn’t listen.”
“So you locked them outside?” Michael’s fists clenched.
“I gave them time to think,” she corrected. “You’re never here, Michael. Someone has to teach them boundaries.”
Something snapped.
“No,” he said, his voice low but firm. “That’s not teaching. That’s cruelty.”
Karen’s expression hardened. “You’re overreacting.”
Michael let out a short, disbelieving breath.
“Emily,” he said softly, not taking his eyes off Karen. “Has this happened before?”
Silence.
Then—
A small nod.
The room went cold.
“How many times?” Michael asked.
Emily’s voice was barely there. “…A lot.”
Karen scoffed. “She’s exaggerating.”
But Michael wasn’t looking at Karen anymore.
He was looking at the truth he had ignored.
The late nights.
The distance.
The excuses.
All the moments he had chosen convenience over attention.
And now—
This was the cost.
He turned back to Karen, his decision already made.
“Pack your things,” he said.
Karen blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You’re leaving,” he said. “Tonight.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
May you like
For once—
She had no argument that worked.
