Betrayed: She Took My Son novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: The Offer

Philip opened the front door before I knocked.

He had not shaved. The house behind him was dim, with the blinds down and a cold cup of coffee on the hall table.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "I'll keep my distance."

"Good."

I did not go past the foyer.

Clayton waited in the truck at the curb with Liam's car seat strapped in beside him.

I could see the back of his head through the windshield.

I had been thinking about the back of his head all morning.

It was not a thought I could do anything with yet.

Philip picked up a sheet from the table and held it out at arm's length.

I took it.

It was one page from the lab on Route 161.

It said the same thing twice, in capital letters: mother, Melanie Avery. Father, Philip Reeve.

"I read it all night," Philip said.

"I didn't need it."

"I did."

He sat down on the second stair, as if his legs had made the decision for him.

"I came to say something," he said. "I wrote it out. I can't find the paper."

"Say it anyway."

"I'm sorry."

I waited.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask her one question. I'm sorry I signed."

"I'm sorry I stood in that hospital hall yesterday and told you to drop the charges."

"Is that all?"

His face broke. It had been coming apart for three days, and now it came apart in front of me, plainly.

"The house is yours," he said. "It's in my name, and I'll put it in yours today."

"The cars. The accounts. I'll sign the divorce papers right now. I'll sign whatever your lawyer wants."

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