Chapter 2 - The Boy Who Would Not Look Up.
Claire carried Leo into the living room while Dominic remained in the kitchen arguing into his phone.
She wanted to take both children and leave immediately, but Mia was still in Evelyn's arms, and Claire would not make a move until she knew exactly what had happened.
Leo sat beside her on the sofa and stared at his bare feet.
One sock was missing.
"Sweetheart, tell me where your sock is."
Leo swallowed.
"In the pantry."
Claire felt cold despite the warm room.
"Why is it in the pantry?"
He rubbed his fingers together.
"Dad made me sit there."
Claire kept her voice gentle.
"With the door open?"
Leo's eyes filled again.
"No."
For one second, Claire could hear nothing except the blood pounding in her ears.
She had installed that pantry door herself during the renovation, and the lock was on the outside because it had once stored wine.
They had stopped using the lock when Leo learned to walk.
"How long?"
Leo shrugged the helpless way children did when time had no shape.
"A lot."
He looked toward the kitchen and lowered his voice.
"Grandma said I had to stop making trouble because Daddy had important guests."
Claire's nails pressed into her palms.
"Was Sienna here before today?"
Leo finally looked up.
"She sleeps in your room when you go away."
The sentence landed harder than a scream.
Claire did not let her face change.
She kissed Leo's forehead and stood.
Evelyn entered carrying Mia.
"You are frightening everyone with this performance."
Claire held out her arms.
"Give me my daughter."
Evelyn hesitated.
It was only a moment, but Claire saw the calculation behind it.
"She just fell asleep."
"Give me my daughter."
Evelyn handed Mia over with visible irritation.
The baby smelled unfamiliar, like a perfume Claire did not own.
Claire's stomach tightened.
Dominic walked in behind his mother.
"The bank says there is some kind of temporary restriction on two operating accounts."
"Good."
"You don't get to shut down my company because you're emotional."
Claire looked at him.
"Your company?"
He realized his mistake too late.
Mercer Home Systems had been founded with Claire's inheritance and placed inside a protected family trust before she married Dominic.
Dominic was president because Claire had trusted him to run daily operations while she handled acquisitions and product design.
He had authority.
He did not have ownership.
"You know what I meant," he said.
Claire shifted Mia against her shoulder.
"I know exactly what you meant."
Sienna appeared at the doorway with her purse.
"I should probably go."
"No," Claire said.
Sienna froze.
Claire pointed toward the kitchen.
"You were laughing while my son cried on the floor, so you can stay long enough to answer one question."
Dominic stepped between them.
"She doesn't owe you anything."
"Then you answer it."
Claire looked directly at Sienna.
"Why did you look at my office when I froze the accounts?"
Sienna's face went pale.
Dominic's jaw tightened.
May you like
Before either of them spoke, Claire heard the soft electronic beep of a door keypad from the hall.
Someone was trying to enter her office.
