“See what happens when you don’t behave?” she said sweetly, though the sweetness felt poisonous. “Your father isn’t coming to rescue you. He’s busy making money. A lot of money. Enough to pay for this big house… and for me.”
She leaned closer to Ryan and whispered cruelly.
“He even bought me a car. Did he buy you a car? No. He bought you a wheelchair, because that’s what you are.”
Ryan let out a weak, broken sound.
That was when Daniel stepped forward.
“What are you doing?”
His voice thundered across the yard.
Laura jumped in shock. Her phone slipped from her hand and landed in the grass. Her face drained of color as she saw Daniel standing there, shaking with fury.
“Mr. Carter!” she stammered. “This isn’t what it looks like—I can explain.”
But Daniel wasn’t listening.
He rushed to Ryan’s side. When the boy heard his father’s voice, he slowly raised his head. Fear filled his hazel eyes—but when he saw Daniel, hope flickered through the fear.
“Dad…” Ryan whispered.
Daniel dropped to his knees beside the chair. His hands trembled as he saw the red marks on Ryan’s wrists and ankles.
“I’m sorry,” Ryan said weakly. “I wasn’t behaving.”
The words shattered Daniel’s heart.