Chapter 3 - The Broken Bond
“YOU DID THIS TO MY DAUGHTER?” Ethan demanded, his voice dropping into a dangerous, guttural growl as he stood up from the stone paving.
Grandmother backed away step by step, her hands held up in frantic denial, tears overflowing her gentle blue eyes. She shook her head repeatedly, pointing her index finger at Noah’s chest, trying desperately to make Ethan look at his son.
Ethan didn't look at Noah. Blinded by rage and the sight of his unconscious daughter, he strode forward in two long steps, reaching out and forcefully grabbing Grandmother’s burgundy cardigan by the shoulder.
“Ethan… no…” Grandmother’s silent lips formed the words, her eyes pleading for him to understand.
Ethan shoved her away.
The force sent the elderly woman stumbling backward off the stone paving and onto the soft grass of the manicured garden. She fell onto her side, looking up at her eldest son in utter disbelief, her hands trembling as she clutched her bruised shoulder.
Ethan turned his back on her without a second thought, whipping out his phone to dial emergency services, his hands shaking as he gave his address to the dispatcher.
Behind Ethan’s broad back, Noah stood near the edge of the pool.
As soon as his father’s eyes were averted, the tears vanished from the nine-year-old’s eyes. His terrified expression slowly dissolved, giving way to a broad, cold, and satisfied grin.
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Noah looked down at Grandmother lying on the grass, then glanced up at the empty stone balcony. He slowly raised one finger to his lips, making a silent shh gesture at the terrified old woman.
Grandmother stared at her grandson from the ground, her heart sinking into a deep, icy abyss of horror.
