Daniel slowed the car, his foot hovering over the brake, as if stopping meant stepping into something he couldn’t undo.
Ethan noticed and broke the silence.
“Mr. Daniel… are you mad at me?”
The question struck harder than expected. Daniel quickly shook his head, forcing steadiness into his voice.
“No, not at all,” he said, though anger was building inside him—just not directed at the boy.
The gates opened automatically, smooth and silent, as if nothing inside those walls could ever be questioned.
Daniel drove in slowly, scanning the familiar surroundings that suddenly felt foreign, every corner carrying a new, unsettling weight.
The house stood ahead, flawless, sunlight reflecting off polished surfaces—a perfect image crafted for the outside world.
Ethan shifted slightly, shoulders tightening as they got closer. It was subtle, but now it felt like a warning.
They stopped at the entrance, neither moving for a moment, as if both understood that stepping out meant returning to an unspoken agreement.
Daniel turned off the engine. The silence made Ethan’s shallow breathing more noticeable.
“Do you want me to walk you in?” Daniel asked, even though he already suspected the answer.