My Six-Year-Old Told Me About His Sister Before My Husband Did Chapter 05

My Six-Year-Old Told Me About His Sister Before My Husband Did Chapter 05

## Thayer’s POV

The moment Isolde ran out, Thayer meant to chase her.

But Coralie started crying softly.

“Thayer, go check on Izzy. I’m fine. I did come between your marriage, after all. If she calls me your mistress, I deserve it.”

Thayer sighed and pulled her into his arms.

“You’re not my mistress. Izzy was out of line. She’s never been as gentle as you. Don’t take it to heart.”

Tavish moved closer too, eager to comfort her.

“Coralie, I’ll protect you. Next time she bullies you, tell me.”

Thayer thought of the look in Isolde’s eyes before she left, and a tight ache spread through his chest.

She had always been gentle with him.

And tonight, he had not only yelled at her.

He had slapped her.

Tomorrow, he would go home and make it up to her properly.

He texted Reeve and told him to buy dessert from the little bakery on the west side.

A moment later, Reeve replied.

—

[That bakery closed yesterday.]

Thayer froze.

Panic rose in him before he could stop it.

That was Isolde’s favorite bakery.

If it closed, how upset would she be?

Coralie pressed closer, her hand sliding to his waist. “Thayer, stay with me tonight.”

Thayer looked at Tavish, who was burning up and barely steady on his feet, and loosened his hold on her.

“Stay here with Twyla. I’m taking Tavish to the hospital.”

He lifted Tavish into his arms and strode toward the door.

He did not see the flash of resentment and bitterness in Coralie’s eyes.

“But Twyla will cry if she wakes up and you’re gone.”

Thayer bent to change his shoes.

The muddy footprints on the rug stabbed at his eyes.

Isolde had left without shoes.

It was below freezing outside.

Was she cold?

The thought made his voice turn sharp.

—

“Then bring her to the hospital. Twyla isn’t sick. Tavish’s fever is high. We can’t wait.”

Coralie’s face turned ugly for a second, but she still answered softly.

“Okay.”

On the way to the hospital, Tavish’s breathing was weak.

“Dad,” he whispered, “you shouldn’t have been mean to Coralie.”

Thayer looked at his son’s eyes.

They looked so much like Isolde’s.

Sudden anger rose in him.

“Your mother didn’t bring you into this world so you could defend another woman.”

Tavish shrank back, confused and hurt.

For the first time, Thayer realized his son had no idea what he had done wrong.

Tavish only knew he liked Twyla.

And because he liked Twyla, he had decided Coralie mattered too.

At the hospital, the nurse started him on IV fluids.

Tavish eventually fell asleep.

Thayer took out his phone to text Isolde.

[Let’s get divorced.]

—

The message glowed on the screen.

Thayer let out a quiet laugh.

Isolde had said things like that before when she was upset.

Back when they were dating, whenever he made her mad, she would say they should break up.

She would puff up and ignore him, then cry if he actually turned to leave, calling him awful through her tears.

All he had to do was show up with her favorite dessert.

Then her eyes would light up, and she would say, “Fine. Her Majesty forgives you.”

Thayer took a photo of Tavish and sent it.

[I brought Tavish to the hospital. Don’t worry. His fever is down.]

[I was wrong tonight. I shouldn’t have treated you like that. Don’t be mad, okay?]

Five minutes passed.

She did not reply.

Thayer sent Reeve a message, [Find the owner. Offer whatever it takes.]

—

Reeve replied after a few minutes.

[I tracked down the bakery owner. She said the shop closed because the owner’s daughter moved away. No one to take over the business.]

Thayer stared at the message.

He had always known Isolde loved baking. He had been the one to push her to start the bakery.

“Your pastries are better than anything in this city. Why not share them?”

She had been so happy that day.

And now it was gone.

He looked at Tavish’s sleeping face, then back at his phone.

[Isolde, I know you’re upset. But please reply. Tavish is asking for you.]

Still nothing.

He called her.

It went straight to voicemail.

He called again.

Voicemail.

One more time.

Blocked.

His thumb hovered over the screen.

[Isolde, answer me.]

He typed it.

Deleted it.

He typed it again.

Sent it.

Nothing.

Outside the hospital window, the snow had started falling again.

He thought of her bare feet on the cold ground.

And for the first time, Thayer felt something he had not felt in years.

Fear.