Sarah stepped closer, her voice trembling. “He came when you left. Said he wanted to help, to keep us safe while you were gone. I didn’t know if I should believe him, but he showed up with money, with groceries. He fixed little things. He meant no harm. In return, I used to occasionally cook him meals and drop them off where he’d pick them up.”
Michael staggered back, fists clenched. “You let him into this house? After everything?” His throat burned with rage and disbelief. Sarah shook her head. “I had no choice. We needed help. And he… he wanted to be part of your life again, even if only through us.”