CHAPTER 3 — THE TRUTH UNDER THE SURFACE
The silence turned heavy.
The chandeliers above seemed too bright for what was happening below them.
The man finally spoke.
“Do you know who this child is?”
The stepmother forced a small laugh.
“I don’t care who he is.”
A mistake.
Because the man’s gaze darkened.
He reached into his suit pocket and placed a folded document onto the nearby table.
Slowly, deliberately.
The boy didn’t understand.
But the woman did.
Her eyes scanned the paper.
Her face changed instantly.
Blood drained.
“No…” she whispered.
The man’s voice stayed calm.
“You touched my son.”
The words hit the room like a collapsing wall.
The boy blinked.
For the first time, confusion replaced pain.
“My… son?” he repeated softly.
The man turned slightly toward him.
“Yes.”
A pause.
May you like
Then—
“You’ve been looking for me longer than you can remember.”
