Noah’s I read the message again.Then again.
My fingers went cold around my phone.
Mr.
Everhart, someone came asking about Ethan today.
For a moment, the entire room disappeared.
All I could think about was Ethan.
My son.My whole world.
“What happened?” Adrian asked.
I looked up.He had noticed my expression immediately.
I swallowed hard.”The daycare said someone came asking about Ethan.” Adrian’s face changed.”Who?” “I don’t know.”I quickly typed a reply.
Who was it?
What did they look like?
The response came less than a minute later.
A man.
He said he was a family acquaintance and asked whether Ethan was enrolled here.
We didn’t give him any information because he wasn’t listed as an authorized contact.
My heart pounded.
A family acquaintance?
There was only one family I could think of that could possibly have a reason to ask about Ethan.But that was impossible.
No one from the Ashford family knew about him.At least, they shouldn’t.
“Show me.”I handed my phone to Adrian.
He read the message carefully.”When did this happen?” I answered quietly.”This afternoon.” “Did the daycare give him Ethan’s information?” “No.
They refused.”Adrian handed the phone back.”Good.” I stared at him.”Good?” “They did exactly what they were supposed to do.” He picked up his phone.”I’m calling security.” “Wait.”He stopped.
“I don’t want Ethan’s daycare surrounded by security guards.
People will start asking questions.” “They won’t know why they’re there.” “Still…” I couldn’t explain it properly.I didn’t want Ethan to feel frightened.He had already grown up with only one parent.
I wanted his childhood to be normal.
Adrian seemed to understand.”Then we’ll keep it discreet.” He made the call.”Increase surveillance around the daycare.
No uniforms.
I want identification of anyone approaching the building and a report immediately.” He ended the call.I stared at him.
“You really don’t have to do this.” “I do.” “Why?”His answer came quietly.
“Because you’re working for me.”I knew there was more behind those words, but I didn’t ask.
Instead, I checked the time.”I need to get Ethan.” “I’ll take you.”My head snapped toward him.
“No.” Adrian raised an eyebrow.”You just said someone was asking about your son.” “I can take the bus.” “It’s getting late.” “I’ve managed for two years without you.” The words slipped out.Silence.I regretted them immediately.
Adrian’s expression remained calm, but something in his eyes changed.”I know.” His voice was quieter now.”You have.” I looked away.”I’m sorry.” “You don’t need to apologize.”He picked up his coat.”Let’s go.” I stared at him.”I said I can go alone.” “And I said I’m taking you.”There was no anger in his voice.Just certainty.
I sighed.Arguing with him was pointless.
“Fine.”We left the office together.
As we walked through the hallway, I noticed several employees looking in our direction.
I immediately lowered my head.
The last thing I needed was gossip.Adrian seemed completely unaffected.
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside.
Neither of us spoke during the ride down.
When we reached the lobby, I expected him to lead me toward the company parking area.
Instead, he stopped.”One question.” I looked at him.”What?” “Does Ethan know his father’s name?”My heart stopped.
I couldn’t answer immediately.Adrian watched me carefully.”Does he?” I tightened my grip on my bag.”No.” “Why?” “Because he doesn’t need to know.” Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Everyone deserves to know where they come from.” I looked at him.”Not everyone has a happy answer waiting for them.” He said nothing.I walked toward the exit.
After a moment, I heard his footsteps behind me.
We reached the parking lot.A black car was waiting.The driver opened the door.
I hesitated.I had spent two years avoiding anything that could bring me closer to Adrian.
Now I was about to get into his car.
Life really had a strange sense of humor.I climbed inside.
Adrian sat beside me.The car pulled away.
For several minutes, I watched the city pass through the window.
Then Adrian spoke.”How long have you lived here?” “Not long.” “Where did you live before?” I stiffened.”Another town.” “Which one?” “Why?” He looked at me.”Because I want to understand what happened to you.” I turned toward the window.”Nothing happened.” “People don’t disappear for two years because nothing happened.” My throat tightened.He wasn’t going to stop.
But before I could answer, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.”Yes?” His expression changed almost immediately.
“What?” I watched him closely.”You’re certain?” He listened for several seconds.Then his jaw tightened.”Send me the footage.” He ended the call.”What happened?” I asked.
Adrian looked at me.”The security team found the man who approached the daycare.” My heart jumped.”Who is he?” “We don’t know yet.”He turned his phone toward me.
A security photograph appeared on the screen.
The image was slightly blurry, but the man’s face was visible enough to recognize.
I stared at it.I knew him.
My blood ran cold.”No…” Adrian noticed my reaction.”You know him?” I couldn’t speak.Because the man in the photograph wasn’t a stranger.
He was someone from my past.
Someone who should have had no reason to find me.
Someone who knew exactly what happened two years ago.
I slowly lifted my eyes toward Adrian.”He knows about Ethan.” And for the first time, I realized that keeping my son’s existence secret might no longer be enough to keep him safe.
Adrian didn’t ask another question immediately.He simply watched me.
The photograph remained between us, glowing on his phone screen.”Who is he?” I swallowed.”My former landlord.” Adrian’s eyebrows drew together.”Your landlord?” “From the town where I lived before coming back here.” “Why would your former landlord be asking about Ethan?” “I don’t know.”That wasn’t entirely true.
I had a bad feeling I knew why.
Two years ago, when I had arrived in that town, I had been alone, frightened, and carrying a secret I didn’t know how to handle.
I had rented a small apartment under my own name and tried to make myself invisible.
My landlord had been one of the few people who knew I was expecting a baby.
But he shouldn’t have known where I was now.Unless someone had contacted him.
I looked at Adrian.”Can you find out when he arrived in the city?” “Already doing it.”His fingers moved across the screen.
A few seconds later, he frowned.”Three days ago.” My stomach dropped.Three days.That meant he had arrived shortly after I returned.
“That’s impossible.” “Why?” I shook my head.”I don’t know.” Adrian studied me.”You’ve been acting like you’re expecting someone to find you.” My hands tightened in my lap.”I just don’t like people from my past.” “Apparently, neither do I.” I looked at him.He wasn’t smiling.The car slowed as we approached the daycare.
Adrian immediately turned toward me.
“Before we get out, I need you to understand something.” “What?” “If this man approaches you again, don’t confront him.” “I won’t.” “I’m serious, Noah.” The way he said my name made my heart stumble.”If he contacts you, you call me.” “I can call the police.” “You can do both.”I nodded.”Alright.” The car stopped.
I opened the door before the driver could come around.
The daycare looked normal.The same colorful walls.The same playground.
The same teachers standing near the entrance.
Yet now I couldn’t look at it the same way.
Someone had come looking for my son.
That thought made every part of me tense.
I hurried inside.
The teacher saw me immediately.”Mr.
Everhart.” “Where’s Ethan?” “He’s in the playroom.” I rushed toward the room.”Ethan!” A small head turned.”Daddy!” He came running toward me.I dropped to my knees and caught him in my arms.
I held him tightly.Too tightly.”Daddy?” “I’m here.”He laughed softly.”You squish me.” I loosened my arms immediately.”Sorry.” He looked past me.His eyes widened.”That uncle!” I froze.Adrian had just entered the room.
Ethan smiled brightly.”Uncle!” Adrian looked surprised for half a second before his expression softened.”Hello, Ethan.” Ethan reached for him.”Did you come to pick me up?” My heart nearly stopped.Adrian looked at me before answering.”No.” Ethan tilted his head.”Why?” “Because your father came to pick you up.” Ethan seemed satisfied with that answer.
Then he looked at Adrian’s hand.”You have a watch.” Adrian glanced down.”Yes.” “It’s pretty.”A tiny smile appeared on Adrian’s face.”Thank you.” I watched them quietly.
There was something strangely natural about the way Adrian spoke to Ethan.
Something that made my chest ache.I quickly looked away.”We should go.” Ethan grabbed my hand.”Bye, Uncle.” “Goodbye, Ethan.” We walked toward the exit.Before leaving, I glanced back.Adrian was still watching us.
His expression was thoughtful.Almost troubled.
Outside, the evening air felt cooler.I crouched to adjust Ethan’s backpack.”Did you have fun today?” “Yes.” “Did anyone bother you?” He shook his head.”No.” “Did anyone ask you questions?””No.” I breathed out in relief.Then Ethan suddenly said,”That man came yesterday.” My hands stopped.”What man?” “The man who talked to Teacher.”Adrian had followed us outside.He heard Ethan too.
“What did he say?” I asked carefully.
Ethan thought for a moment.”He asked about Daddy.” My heart dropped.”What did he ask?” Ethan frowned, trying to remember.
“He asked if Daddy’s name was Noah.” Adrian went completely still.I slowly stood.
The air between us changed.
“He knew my name,” I whispered.
Adrian’s gaze hardened.”Did he say anything else?” Ethan shook his head.”No.
Teacher told him to go away.” Adrian looked toward the daycare entrance.
Then back at me.”You’re coming with me.” I frowned.”Where?” “Home.” “I can take the bus.” “No.” “Adrian—” “Someone who knows your name, knows about Ethan, and followed you from another town has no reason to be this close to your family unless there’s something else going on.” His voice was controlled, but I could hear the anger underneath it.I looked down at Ethan.
He was happily holding my hand, completely unaware of the danger surrounding us.
I couldn’t argue anymore.”Fine.” We walked toward the car.
Halfway there, my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.I stared at the screen.
One message.
You should have stayed away from Ashford.
My blood ran cold.Adrian saw my face.”What is it?” I slowly handed him the phone.He read the message.
His expression became frighteningly calm.
“Get in the car.” I obeyed.
As the car pulled away from the daycare, Adrian continued staring at the message.
Then another one arrived.This time, there was an attachment.
A photograph.I opened it.My heart stopped.
It was a picture of Ethan.Taken outside the daycare.Taken that afternoon.
Someone had been watching my son.
And beneath the photograph were six words: We know who his father is.
Chapter 7 is officially getting dangerous!
Someone is watching Ethan, and now they claim they know who his father is.
Who do you think is behind all of this?
And Adrian is getting closer and closer to the truth without even realizing how close he actually is.
Noah can’t keep running forever.
See you in Chapter 8!
— Ari1