Chapter 8: The Man Who Came Back
I didn't speak.
The voice on the phone sounded calm.
Too calm.
"Who are you?""
The man sighed.
"My name is Thomas.""
The name meant nothing.
Until Monique suddenly whispered,
"No.""
I looked at her.
She knew him.
"Monique?""
She stepped backward.
"Don't answer him.""
The man heard.
"Still protecting secrets, I see.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"What do you want?""
"I want Noah to know the truth.""
I looked at Monique.
"About what?""
The man paused.
"About who abandoned him first.""
The call ended.
I stood there.
Completely still.
Then I turned to Monique.
"Who is Thomas?""
She didn't answer.
"Who is he?""
She sat down slowly.
"He was Noah's biological father.""
The room felt like it tilted.
"No.""
She nodded.
"He came back.""
"When?""
"Recently.""
"How recently?""
She looked ashamed.
"Months ago.""
I stared at her.
"You knew Noah's father was alive?""
"I didn't know what to do.""
"You could have told me.""
"I was afraid.""
"Everyone keeps saying that.""
My voice rose.
"Everyone is afraid except Noah.""
She looked hurt.
But I didn't stop.
"He is the only one who didn't get a choice.""
The next morning, Thomas appeared outside our house.
I knew because Noah saw him first.
I was making breakfast when I heard the front door open.
"Dad?""
I turned around.
Noah was standing there.
Confused.
Behind him stood a man I had never seen before.
Older.
Tired.
Holding an old backpack.
The man looked at Noah.
And tears immediately filled his eyes.
"Noah.""
My son froze.
He didn't recognize him.
And somehow that was worse.
Thomas took a step forward.
"I know you don't remember me.""
I moved between them.
"Stay where you are.""
Thomas stopped.
"I just want to talk.""
"No.""
His eyes moved to Noah.
"I have waited years.""
I shook my head.
"You don't get to walk in here after eleven years and ask for a place.""
Thomas looked down.
"I made mistakes.""
Noah looked at me.
"Dad?""
I turned slightly.
"It's okay.""
But I knew it wasn't.
Thomas reached into his bag.
"I brought something.""
I immediately raised my hand.
"No.""
He stopped.
"Noah's mother left this.""
That got my attention.
"What is it?""
He looked at Monique.
Then back at me.
"Something she wanted him to have when he was old enough.""
Monique looked terrified.
"Don't.""
Thomas frowned.
"You can't hide it forever.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What is inside?""
He looked at Noah.
"A letter.""
Noah stepped closer.
"From my mom?""
The room became silent.
Thomas nodded.
"Yes.""
I looked at Monique.
She looked away.
And that told me everything.
There was another secret.
Another piece of Noah's life that everyone had decided to control except Noah himself.
Thomas handed me the envelope.
I didn't open it.
Not yet.
Because I knew whatever was inside could change everything.
Then Thomas said,
"Before you read it, you need to know something.""
"What?""
He looked at Monique.
"She didn't leave Noah at the hospital by accident.""
Monique's face turned white.
"What are you talking about?""
Thomas whispered,
"She left him there because she was trying to protect him from someone.""
Everyone went silent.
May you like
And then Noah asked the question none of us wanted to hear.
"Protect me from who?""
