Chapter 9 - The Day Dominic Said No|
Three black vehicles arrived at the mansion just before noon.
Two men wearing medical transport uniforms stepped out.
A third carried a folder bearing Noah's name.
I watched from the upstairs window.
Something about the scene made my skin crawl.
The men weren't behaving like ordinary medical workers.
They scanned the security cameras.
They examined the driveway.
And one of them appeared to be speaking into an earpiece.
Downstairs, Dominic stood in the foyer waiting for them.
Dr. Kessler entered first.
“Dominic, let's handle this peacefully.”
Dominic didn't move.
“Who authorized these people?”
“The placement paperwork was prepared last week.”
“By whom?”
“Your family office.”
Dominic looked toward Marcus Bell.
Marcus had arrived that morning wearing a charcoal-gray suit.
He remained near the staircase.
“I was told the decision had already been approved,” Marcus said.
Dominic turned slowly.
“By me?”
Marcus hesitated.
“By the appropriate representatives.”
Dominic's eyes became cold.
“There is no appropriate representative for my son except the person legally authorized to make decisions for him.”
Dr. Kessler stepped forward.
“Dominic, you're being emotional.”
Dominic looked at him.
“My son is four.”
“I understand.”
“Then explain why strangers are standing outside my home expecting to take him away.”
The doctor adjusted his glasses.
“Because he requires treatment.”
“Then provide the medical records and lawful authorization.”
Silence.
I stood halfway down the staircase holding Noah's hand.
He had heard the voices.
His little fingers were squeezing mine painfully.
“Clara?”
“Yes?”
“They're taking me.”
I crouched.
“No one's taking you right now.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“The blue room.”
I looked at him.
“What about it?”
“The doctor puts me there when Daddy goes away.”
My heart stopped.
Before I could ask another question, Dr. Kessler looked up.
“Noah.”
The boy began screaming.
Dominic immediately turned.
“Get out of my house.”
The doctor stared.
“Dominic—”
“I said get out.”
Gabriel approached the medical transport workers and escorted them toward the door.
Marcus stepped forward.
“You're making a serious mistake.”
Dominic turned toward him.
“Then it will be my mistake.”
His voice hardened.
“Not yours.”
The vehicles eventually left.
But the tension remained.
That evening, Dominic came to the playroom.
Noah was building a tower with wooden blocks while I sat beside him.
Dominic watched for several moments.
Then spoke quietly.
“Clara, I owe you an apology.”
I looked up.
“For what?”
“For believing every expert who called my son dangerous.”
His eyes moved toward Noah.
“I should have listened when he was frightened.”
I hesitated.
“You can still listen.”
Dominic sat on the floor.
Noah looked at him.
For a long moment, neither moved.
Then the little boy picked up a wooden horse.
He placed it in his father's hand.
Dominic smiled faintly.
“Thank you, buddy.”
Noah looked at me.
Then back at his father.
And spoke more clearly than I had ever heard him speak.
“Daddy, Mommy didn't leave because she wanted to.”
Dominic froze.
“What do you mean?”
May you like
Noah whispered:
“The man took her.”
