“She called her father here to intimidate us on our own property.”

“I didn’t call him,” I said.

“He found me walking along Route 9.”

Ethan took two deliberate steps up the porch stairs, clearing his throat again as he placed himself between his mother and the front door.

“Mom, stop,” Ethan said, his voice stronger than I had heard it in months.

“Noah needs his mother, and this whole thing has gone way too far.”

Linda let out a sharp, mocking laugh that cut straight through the quiet street.