Chapter 4 - Ava Was Afraid of Dinner
Marcus’s anger disappeared beneath fear.
“What do you mean?”
Danielle explained that Ava had told her months earlier—during one of
the last calls Rachel failed to intercept—that Rachel gave her “special
vitamins” before dinner.
Afterward, Ava often felt nauseated and did not want to eat.
Marcus looked toward the pantry.
Rachel rushed forward.
“They’re supplements.”
He found a bottle labeled CHILDREN’S METABOLIC SUPPORT.
His stomach tightened.
He had never purchased it.
Rachel claimed it was a harmless vitamin recommended by a wellness
coach.
Marcus photographed the label and called Ava’s pediatrician.
The doctor told him to stop giving Ava anything until the ingredients
were reviewed.
Marcus did not accuse Rachel of poisoning his daughter.
He did something more important.
He stopped guessing.
He took Ava for medical evaluation that night.
The doctor found Ava mildly underweight compared with her previous
growth curve.
Not dangerously so.
But enough to warrant attention.
Ava admitted she sometimes hid food in her room because Rachel got angry
when she asked for seconds.
Marcus sat beside the hospital bed.
“How long?”
Ava whispered:
“Since after Christmas.”
Six months.
May you like
Marcus had eaten dinner beside his daughter dozens of times.
Rachel had behaved differently whenever he was home.
