Ethan Carter was 39 years old and the founder of CarterTech Solutions, a Boston-based enterprise software company valued at $700 million. Two years earlier, he had divorced his wife Lauren after discovering a months-long affair. His six-year-old daughter, Lily, was the reason he got up every morning.
After the divorce, they agreed to shared custody. Lily spent one week with Ethan in his luxury Back Bay condo and the next with Lauren in her suburban house outside the city.
It was Sunday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. Lauren had just dropped Lily off after her week with her. Ethan had been waiting anxiously for his daughter’s return.
“Daddy!”
Lily ran into his arms the moment she stepped inside.
“My princess.” Ethan lifted her into a tight hug. “I missed you so much. How was your week with Mommy?”
Lily went strangely quiet.
“Fine.”
Something in her small voice made Ethan study her more closely. She looked uncomfortable. Her eyes wouldn’t meet his.
“You sure everything was okay, sweetheart?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Ethan decided not to push. Maybe she was just tired from the drive.
That night, after dinner and a bath, Lily was playing in the living room while Ethan answered urgent emails on his laptop.