“The children will not be my responsibility for long. There are services for that.”
Miles felt something inside him break cleanly and completely.
When she ended the call, Vanessa turned back to the couch.
“You will not tell your father anything,” she said quietly, her eyes cold. “No one would believe you anyway.”
That was when Miles stepped forward.
“I believe them.”
The sound of his voice cut through the room like a physical force.
Vanessa spun around, her face draining of color.
The children reacted instantly, rushing toward him. Miles knelt and wrapped his arms around them, feeling their small bodies trembling against his chest.
“How long,” he asked calmly, though his voice carried an edge that left no room for denial, “has this been happening.”
Vanessa struggled to speak. “Miles, you are misunderstanding everything.”
“There is nothing to misunderstand,” he replied. “You were never alone. I heard everything.”
She took a step toward him, then stopped when he raised a hand.
“This ends now,” he said firmly. “You will leave this house today.”
“You cannot be serious,” she whispered.
“I am,” he replied. “And if you contact my children again, there will be consequences.”
