She leaned closer to Ryan and whispered cruelly.
“He even bought me a car. Did he buy you a car? No. He bought you a wheelchair, because that’s what you are.”
Ryan let out a weak, broken sound.
That was when Daniel stepped forward.
“What are you doing?”
His voice thundered across the yard.
Laura jumped in shock. Her phone slipped from her hand and landed in the grass. Her face drained of color as she saw Daniel standing there, shaking with fury.
“Mr. Carter!” she stammered. “This isn’t what it looks like—I can explain.”
But Daniel wasn’t listening.
He rushed to Ryan’s side. When the boy heard his father’s voice, he slowly raised his head. Fear filled his hazel eyes—but when he saw Daniel, hope flickered through the fear.
“Dad…” Ryan whispered.
Daniel dropped to his knees beside the chair. His hands trembled as he saw the red marks on Ryan’s wrists and ankles.
“I’m sorry,” Ryan said weakly. “I wasn’t behaving.”
The words shattered Daniel’s heart.
“No, buddy,” Daniel said softly. “You did nothing wrong. Nothing.”
With shaking fingers, he began untying the knots—first the ankles, then the wrists. Each rope felt like a blade cutting through his chest.
When Ryan was finally free, Daniel lifted him carefully into his arms. The boy clung to him tightly and began crying uncontrollably.
“It’s okay,” Daniel whispered, rocking him gently. “I’m here now. Nobody will ever hurt you again. I promise.”
Laura tried to interrupt nervously.
“Sir, he was throwing a tantrum. It’s dangerous for him to move suddenly. I was just trying to control the situation—”
“With ropes?” Daniel snapped.
She had no answer.
“Leave,” Daniel said coldly. “Get out of my house right now.”
Laura’s tone changed instantly, tears filling her eyes.
“Please, Mr. Carter. I need this job. I made a mistake. I’ll return the car, anything—”
“Keep the car,” Daniel replied. “And every time you drive it, remember why you got it.”
She realized she had lost. With a final bitter glare, she grabbed her bag and hurried out of the yard.
At last, silence returned.
Daniel sat on the stone bench beneath the magnolia tree with Ryan still in his arms.
“She’s gone?” Ryan asked quietly.
“Yes,” Daniel said. “She’s gone for good.”
Ryan hesitated before whispering something else.
“She said if I told you… you wouldn’t believe me.”
Daniel closed his eyes in pain.
“I will always believe you,” he said firmly.
Just then, the sound of heels echoed from the front hall.