Chapter 2 - The Woman Behind The Door
Ethan slowly stood up.
He didn't yell.
He didn't break anything.
That scared Lily more.
Because she had never seen her father this quiet.
Behind him stood Vanessa.
His second wife.
The woman everyone believed was perfect.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
Graceful.
She smiled nervously.
"Ethan, you misunderstood."
He turned around.
"Did I?"
Vanessa stepped forward.
"She was just helping around the house. I was teaching her responsibility."
Ethan looked at Lily.
A six-year-old child.
Cleaning floors.
Alone.
Crying.
"Responsibility?"
His voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
Vanessa swallowed.
"Children need discipline."
Then Lily whispered something.
Something that changed everything.
"Daddy... she told me my real mommy spoiled me."
Ethan froze.
Because Vanessa had always promised him one thing.
She would never replace Lily's mother.
She would never make Lily feel unwanted.
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But now...
He realized there was a side of Vanessa he had never seen.
