With relief.
Pure relief.
Lily scrambled to her feet.
“Daddy!”
She ran.
Ethan dropped to one knee just before she reached him.
She collided with his chest and wrapped both arms around his neck.
He held her immediately.
Her body was trembling.
“I’ve got you.”
Lily buried her face against him.
“You came home.”
“I did.”
“You came home.”
“I’m right here.”
She began sobbing.
Ethan looked over her shoulder at his wife.
Vanessa had stood.
The surprise on her face disappeared quickly.
In its place came irritation.
“Ethan, before you overreact—”
“What is she wearing?”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“It isn’t what it looks like.”
Ethan looked around the closet.
Shoes covered the floor.
Polish.
Cleaning cloths.
A small bucket.
His seven-year-old daughter dressed as a servant.
“I asked you a question.”
“It’s a costume.”
“For what?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“A lesson.”
Ethan stared at her.
“A lesson.”
“Yes.”
Lily tightened her arms around his neck.
Ethan felt it.
He lowered his voice.
“What lesson requires my daughter to dress like that?”
“Our daughter.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“Answer me.”
Vanessa exhaled.
“She had a tantrum this morning.”
Lily lifted her head.
“I didn’t.”
Vanessa looked directly at her.
“Don’t start.”
Ethan stood immediately, bringing Lily with him.
“Do not talk to her like that.”
Vanessa looked stunned.
“Ethan.”
“Not another word to her.”
“Would you please calm down?”
“I am calm.”
His voice was quiet enough to make Vanessa take a step backward.
Ethan looked at Lily.
“Sweetheart, did Vanessa make you wear this?”
Lily looked at Vanessa.
That glance told Ethan more than any answer could have.
He gently turned Lily’s face toward him.
“Look at me.”
Her blue eyes met his.
“You are not in trouble.”
She swallowed.
“Did she make you wear it?”
Lily nodded.
“Yes.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Oh, come on.”
Ethan raised one hand without looking at her.
“Stop.”
He kept his attention on Lily.
“Did she make you clean the shoes?”
Another nod.
“How many?”
Lily looked toward the shelves.
“I don’t know.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“She spilled orange juice all over a dress that cost four thousand dollars because she refused to listen when I told her drinks stay in the kitchen.”
Ethan looked at her.
“And your solution was this?”
“I wanted to teach her consequences.”
“By dressing her as a maid?”
“It’s symbolic.”
Lily whispered, “It’s not the first time.”
The room went silent.
Ethan looked down.
“What?”
Vanessa’s face changed.
“Lily.”
Ethan turned toward her so quickly that she stopped.
He looked back at his daughter.
“What did you say?”
Lily rubbed her eyes.
“She makes me wear it when you go away.”
Ethan felt the floor disappear beneath him.
“How many times?”
Lily shrugged.
Vanessa moved toward them.
“She is exaggerating.”
Ethan stepped between them.
“Stay there.”