Oliver—Daniel’s toddler son with his new wife—was barely eighteen months old. Far too heavy for a child to carry for hours.
“How long have you been holding him?”
“Since you left this morning… at eight. It’s six now.”
Ten hours.
Daniel’s grip tightened around his phone.
“Where’s Stephanie?”
“In her room. Watching TV. She said not to bother her.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
“Just breakfast… the one you made.”
Something inside him snapped.
“Stay strong, Emma. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes.”
“But you said you had meetings—”
“They can wait. You can’t.”
He didn’t explain to his colleagues. Didn’t wait for a response. He grabbed his jacket and left.
