Chapter 3

Leo was finally sleeping, his fever down a little after the medication.

Sarah sat by his small bed in the clinic's observation room, exhausted.

Michael had stayed, offering quiet support, until she insisted he go home.

Mark appeared in the doorway.

His face was a mixture of confusion and belated concern.

"Sarah? Is Leo... is he really that sick?"

Sarah looked at him, her eyes like ice.

"What do you think, Mark?"

Mark approached Leo's bed.

He reached out to touch Leo's forehead.

Leo whimpered in his sleep and pulled away, turning his face towards Sarah.

Mark's hand froze in mid-air.

He looked hurt.

"He's just tired," Mark mumbled. "Chloe's asthma... it was a real scare, Sarah. Jessica was frantic."

"Was she?" Sarah asked, her voice devoid of emotion. "Or was she just ensuring you were by her side, as always?"

"That's not fair, Sarah."

"Fair?" Sarah stood up, her body trembling slightly. "You want to talk about fair, Mark? Is it fair that your son burns with fever while you cater to your sister-in-law's every whim? Is it fair that I have to rely on the kindness of a stranger to pay for Leo's medicine because you emptied our account for Chloe's 'special needs'?"

Her voice was low, but each word was sharp.

Mark had no answer. He just stared at her, a muscle twitching in his jaw.

He tried a different tactic.

"Look, I... I'm sorry if I seemed preoccupied. Let me make it up to Leo. Tomorrow, I'm taking him to the Marine Corps Air Station. They have a family day. He can see the jets, the helicopters. He'd love that."

Leo, who had woken up, heard the last part.

His eyes, still dull with sickness, showed a flicker of interest.

"Jets, Daddy?"

Just then, Jessica appeared at the door, Chloe clutching her hand.

Chloe looked perfectly fine now, her cheeks rosy.

"Mark, darling!" Jessica chirped. "Chloe heard you were taking Leo to see the jets tomorrow! You promised her last time she could go too, remember? She's been talking about it all week!"

Jessica smiled sweetly at Sarah, a picture of innocent maternal concern.

"We wouldn't want to intrude, of course, but Chloe would be so heartbroken."

Sarah almost laughed.

She knew Mark. She knew his weaknesses.

"Of course Chloe should come," Sarah said, her voice dripping with sarcasm that Mark missed entirely. "The more the merrier."

Mark beamed. "Great! It'll be a fun family day for all of us!"

He didn't notice Sarah's tight smile, or the way Leo's small shoulders slumped again.

The next day, at the air station, Mark was in his element.

He was Captain Olsen, respected officer.

He introduced Jessica as "my late brother's wife, practically a sister to me," and Chloe as "my brave little niece."

One of Mark's subordinates, a young sergeant, smiled at Chloe.

"Your daughter is adorable, Captain. And your son looks just like you." He gestured to Leo, who was standing quietly by Sarah.

Mark puffed up slightly. "Yes, well. Chloe here is a special little fighter."

He didn't correct the sergeant about Chloe being his daughter.

Sarah felt a flush of humiliation.

Mark was called away for a brief meeting with his commanding officer.

"Watch the kids for a minute, Sarah? Jessica, you too."

He hurried off.

Jessica sidled up to Sarah. Chloe was already pulling at a display rope.

"He's so good to us, isn't he?" Jessica said, her voice soft but laced with triumph. "Mark knows his responsibilities. He takes care of family."

Sarah ignored her, watching Leo, who was looking longingly at a model jet.

"It must be hard for you," Jessica continued, her voice like a poisonous whisper. "Knowing you're second best. That he'll always put Chloe and me first. It's for David's memory, you see."

Sarah gritted her teeth.

"He was my husband once, Jessica. Entirely mine."

Jessica laughed, a short, sharp sound.

"Was. And now? He's mine to command. He'd do anything for me, for Chloe."

Sarah turned to her, her eyes blazing.

"Then have him," Sarah said, her voice dangerously calm. "You can have him."

A sudden cry.

Leo.

Then a crash.

Sarah spun around.

Chloe stood beside a shattered display case. Inside, a detailed, expensive model of a fighter jet was in pieces.

Leo was pale, his eyes wide with fear.

Mark and his CO were walking back towards them.

Several other officers were nearby.

"Leo!" Chloe shrieked, pointing a finger. "Leo did it! He pushed me and broke the airplane!"

The CO frowned. The display belonged to a visiting dignitary. It was valuable.

"Captain Olsen," the CO said, his voice stern. "What happened here?"

Mark strode forward. He didn't look at Sarah. He didn't ask Leo.

He saw Chloe, tearful and accusing. He saw the broken model.

He grabbed Leo's arm, his fingers digging in.

"Leo! What did you do? I told you to behave! You will be punished for this! Severely!"

Leo burst into tears. "No, Daddy! I didn't! Chloe did it!"

"Don't lie to me!" Mark snarled, his face red with anger and embarrassment in front of his superior.