It was good to keep him close. That way, I won’t have to waste time finding him when it's finally time to settle the score.
***
Back at the house that once belonged to only Stephanie and I, everything had changed.
The decoration was now in the Southern style I hated. From the clothes in the closet to the ornaments on the table, there was no trace of me left. And by the window stood a wooden baby crib.
At one glance, I could tell Stephanie made it herself. Everything was arranged perfectly. It was clear, she had never really planned to send Timothy away.
Seeing me narrow my eyes slightly, Timothy suddenly shivered.
“Johnny, please don’t be angry. Steph just didn’t want me to stay alone, so she brought me here. I didn’t know this was your room. I’ll move to the guest room right away. Please, don’t hit me…” he said, trembling.
Timothy looked terrified and tried to stand, but his bad leg made him fall to the floor.
Stephanie quickly lifted him up and comforted him gently, “Tim, you don't need to feel that way. I chose this room for you on purpose. John wasn’t here anyway, so why leave it empty?”