Chapter 6: The Second Child
David printed the address.
He folded the paper and put it in his pocket.
Rosa watched him.
“You're going there.””
“Yes.””
“David, you don't know what's waiting for you.””
“I know enough.””
Ethan stood nearby.
“I'm coming.””
“No.””
“Daddy—”
“No, Ethan.””
The boy's face fell.
David crouched.
“I need you to stay with Rosa.””
“But you always leave.””
The words hit harder than they should have.
David looked at him.
“What do you mean?””
“You went to work all the time.””
“I know.””
“You weren't there when Mom died.””
David swallowed.
“I know.””
Ethan looked down.
“Vanessa said you didn't want me.””
David's face crumpled.
He pulled Ethan into his arms.
“I never stopped wanting you.””
“But you didn't see.””
“No.””
David closed his eyes.
“That was my fault.””
Rosa watched silently.
David released Ethan.
“I should have seen.””
Ethan nodded.
“Then see now.””
David stared at his son.
“I will.””
He stood.
“Rosa, call my lawyer.””
“Which lawyer?””
“Not Michael.””
Rosa looked surprised.
“You don't trust him?””
“I don't know who I trust yet.””
David picked up the USB.
“But I'm going to find out.””
An hour later, David parked two streets away from the address.
The neighborhood was quiet.
Small houses.
Low fences.
Children's bicycles leaning against driveways.
Nothing about it looked dangerous.
That made him more nervous.
He walked to the house.
Number 27.
He knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again.
A curtain moved.
Then an elderly woman opened the door.
“Yes?””
David held up the photograph.
“I'm looking for this boy.””
The woman looked at the picture.
Her face changed.
“Why?””
“Because I believe he's connected to my family.””
She stared at David.
“Who are you?””
“My name is David.””
The woman looked over her shoulder.
“Come inside.””
David entered.
The house smelled like coffee and old books.
The woman closed the door.
“You shouldn't have come here.””
“Where is the boy?””
“Upstairs.””
“Is he safe?””
“For now.””
David's heart raced.
“What is his name?””
The woman hesitated.
“Daniel.””
“How long has he lived here?””
“Almost two years.””
“With you?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
The woman looked at the photograph.
“Because his mother wanted him hidden.””
David's blood ran cold.
“His mother?””
The woman nodded.
“Claire.””
David sat down.
“Vanessa.””
The woman looked at him.
“That's the name she uses now.””
“Why did she leave Daniel?””
“She didn't.””
David frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“She visits him.””
“How often?””
“Every few weeks.””
David stood.
“When was the last time?””
The woman looked frightened.
“This morning.””
David's heart stopped.
“This morning?””
“She came before sunrise.””
“What did she do?””
“She asked me to pack Daniel's things.””
“Why?””
“She said they were leaving.””
David stepped backward.
“Where?””
The woman shook her head.
“She didn't tell me.””
David heard footsteps overhead.
A boy appeared at the top of the stairs.
Eight years old.
Dark hair.
Thin face.
He looked exactly like the photograph.
He stared at David.
Then whispered—
“You're Ethan's dad.””
David couldn't move.
“How do you know Ethan?””
The boy gripped the railing.
“Because my mom talks about him.””
“What does she say?””
Daniel looked toward the window.
“She says he's the reason she lost everything.””
David felt anger rise.
“What did she do to you?””
Daniel shook his head.
“Nothing.””
“Are you sure?””
“She was different with me.””
David frowned.
“How?””
Daniel hesitated.
“She loved me.””
The words landed like a stone.
David looked at the elderly woman.
She lowered her eyes.
Daniel continued.
“She said Ethan stole my life.””
David's hands curled into fists.
“He didn't steal anything.””
“I know.””
“Then why does she hate him?””
Daniel looked at David.
“Because she says his father chose him.””
David stared.
“She wanted your mother gone,” Daniel whispered.
David's blood turned cold.
“What?””
Daniel swallowed.
“She told me she would never let another family take what belonged to us.””
“Us?””
Daniel nodded.
“Me and her.””
David stepped closer.
“Daniel, what happened to your father?””
The boy's eyes dropped.
“He died.””
“How?””
“I don't know.””
The elderly woman spoke softly.
“Daniel was told it was an accident.””
David looked at her.
“And you don't believe that.””
“No.””
Before David could respond, a car engine sounded outside.
The elderly woman's face went white.
“She came back.””
David moved toward the window.
A black SUV stopped at the curb.
Vanessa stepped out.
But she wasn't alone.
A man exited from the driver's side.
David recognized him.
The stranger from his house.
David whispered, “Get Daniel upstairs.””
The woman grabbed the boy's hand.
David stepped toward the door.
“Don't.””
Daniel looked at him.
“What?””
“Stay upstairs.””
“Why?””
“Because she can't know you're here.””
Daniel's eyes widened.
Then he whispered something that made David's stomach drop.
“She already knows.””
David stared.
“How?””
Daniel pointed toward the ceiling.
“There are cameras in every room.””
David looked up.
A tiny green light blinked above the doorway.
The same green light he'd seen in his own house.
David's phone vibrated.
One message.
Unknown number.
He opened it.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Ethan sitting beside Rosa in David's living room.
The message underneath read:
*You should have stayed home.*
May you like
Another message arrived immediately.
*Because now I have your son.*
