Chapter 4 - Ethan Had Been Waiting
Dad came to the hospital six hours later.
His right hand was swollen.
I looked at it.
He looked embarrassed.
“Before you say anything—”
“You punched him.”
“Yes.”
“In front of police?”
“They were entering.”
“That isn’t better.”
“I know.”
He sat.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then:
“Emily, what did you mean when you said you thought he’d come after me?”
I looked at the door.
Then at my father.
“Ethan talks about you all the time.”
“How?”
“He says you’re controlling.”
Dad almost laughed.
Then saw my face.
“He says you never accepted our marriage.”
“I didn’t like him.”
“I know.”
“He says you want me dependent on you.”
Dad’s face tightened.
“Anything else?”
“He says you’re violent.”
My eyes moved toward his swollen hand.
Neither of us enjoyed the irony.
I continued.
“He kept saying if I ever ran to you, he’d prove you were the problem.”
Dad leaned back.
“Prove how?”
May you like
“I didn’t know.”
Now we had an idea.
