CHAPTER 2 — WHAT THE BOY DIDN’T SAY
The man slowly walked past the woman.
Not rushing.
Not reacting.
Just moving with a quiet authority that made the entire room feel smaller.
He knelt in front of the boy.
Now the boy could see him clearly.
Close up, the man’s expression changed—just slightly.
Not anger.
Recognition.
The boy swallowed hard.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” the boy whispered.
The man nodded once.
“I know.”
That was all he said.
But it was enough to make the boy’s eyes fill again.
Behind them, the stepmother shifted uneasily.
“This child doesn’t belong here,” she said quickly. “He’s—”
The man stood up.
May you like
And she stopped again.
Because this time, he looked at her directly.
