Chapter 6: The Truth My Mother Kept
I barely slept that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Noah’s face.
A six-year-old child carrying pain that was never his.
A child who thought he could lose his father because someone convinced him he was a problem.
But Vanessa’s final words kept bothering me.
“Ask your mother what happened after Noah was born.””
I didn’t want to ask.
Because some questions change everything.
But I needed the truth.
The next morning, I drove to my mother’s house.
She knew why I was there before I said anything.
“You talked to Vanessa.””
I nodded.
“She mentioned Noah after he was born.””
My mother became quiet.
That silence scared me.
“Mom.””
She sat down.
“What did she mean?””
My mother looked toward the window.
“Your first wife wanted to leave the hospital early after Noah was born.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“She was overwhelmed.””
I nodded slowly.
“That doesn’t sound like something Vanessa would know.””
My mother looked at me.
“Because I never told you.””
My heart tightened.
“What happened?””
She sighed.
“Your first wife was struggling after childbirth. She felt like she wasn’t good enough.””
I swallowed.
“She wanted to give up?””
“She was scared.””
My mother reached for my hand.
“But she got help. She loved Noah.””
I nodded.
“I know.””
“There was one night she cried and told me something.””
“What?””
My mother hesitated.
“She said she was afraid Noah would grow up thinking he was unwanted.””
I felt tears forming.
“Why?””
“Because she had felt that way herself.””
The room became silent.
I looked down.
“And Vanessa knows this?””
My mother nodded.
“I think so.””
“How?””
“She asked me questions when you were at work.””
My stomach dropped.
“What kind of questions?””
“She asked about Noah’s mother.””
I stood up.
“Why?””
My mother’s face was full of regret.
“Because I trusted her.””
I walked outside.
Everything Vanessa had done suddenly made sense.
She didn’t randomly choose Noah’s insecurities.
She studied them.
She found every wound.
Every fear.
And she used them.
My phone rang.
It was Marcus.
“Ethan.””
His voice sounded urgent.
“What happened?””
“I found something.””
I gripped the phone.
“What?””
“I checked the security footage from your house.””
My heart started racing.
“Why?””
“Because Vanessa didn’t leave after she walked out yesterday.””
I froze.
“What are you talking about?””
“She came back.””
“When?””
“Last night.””
I looked at my house across the street.
“What was she doing?””
Marcus went quiet.
Then he said,
“She went into Noah’s room.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why?””
“I don’t know.””
“Did you see anything?””
“Yes.””
My grip tightened.
“What?””
Marcus took a breath.
“She wasn’t looking for clothes.””
The silence was unbearable.
“She was looking for something.””
“What?””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“She opened Noah’s desk drawer.””
My mind raced.
“What was she trying to find?””
“I don’t know.””
Then Marcus said the one thing that made my entire body tense.
“But Ethan…”
“What?””
“She left with a small envelope.””
I looked toward the house.
An envelope.
Something connected to Noah.
Something she wanted hidden.
“Where is Vanessa now?””
Marcus hesitated.
“She sent you a message.””
I looked at my phone.
There was a new text.
One sentence.
May you like
My hands went cold.
*“If you want to know why Noah has been lying to you for years, meet me alone.””*
