The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 6

"Dad, look!"

Archie sprinted back into the room, clutching a thick pop-up book and wedging himself directly between his parents. "Quinn bought it for me! It's all about human anatomy. Look at this cross-section of the brain!"

Garrison's attention instantly shifted. He took the book, his demeanor softening as he explained the diagrams. "This is the frontal lobe. It handles decision-making. And this is the temporal lobe, which manages your memory..."

Quinn glided back into the room and naturally joined the discussion. "Archie has been obsessed with the human brain lately. I bought the book on a whim, but I had no idea he'd love it this much."

"That's because Dad and Quinn are doctors. You guys know everything!"

Archie gazed up at them in total awe, completely turning his back to Sloane.

Sloane silently tightened her grip on the medical report, the paper crinkling sharply in her fist. She stood on the periphery, watching her husband and his adopted sister form an impenetrable circle around her son, leaving her entirely isolated.

"Garrison," Sloane said, raising her voice. "I want to speak with you in private."

Garrison glanced up, his brows knitting together in annoyance. He patted Archie's head. "Go read with Quinn for a bit. Dad needs to talk to Mom."

Archie groaned, clearly reluctant. He grabbed Quinn's hand. "Then Quinn can read it to me."

Quinn smiled sweetly and let the boy pull her toward the bedroom. Before leaving, she cast a sympathetic look at Sloane. "Take your time, Sloane. I'll watch Archie."

Her flawless consideration was perfectly calibrated to hit Sloane where it hurt most. The woman was always so educated, so impossibly understanding—a shining contrast to Sloane's supposed ignorance.

"If you flew all the way here to throw a tantrum, I'm sorry, but I really don't have the time for this," Garrison said coldly, cutting her off before she could even speak.

Garrison had zero patience for Sloane, and certainly no love.

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