Chapter 11 — The Shadow Outside the Door
The doorknob stopped turning.
Ethan held his breath.
His notebook lay open across the bed, every page filled with dates, sketches, and observations.
Slowly, the bedroom door creaked open.
Nathan stood there.
"You still awake?"
Ethan quickly closed the notebook.
"I couldn't sleep."
Nathan smiled tiredly.
"I've been working too much."
He sat beside Ethan's bed.
"You know... when the baby comes, things will be different."
Ethan looked at him.
"What if there isn't a baby?"
Nathan's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"I mean..."
Ethan swallowed.
"...what if someone lies?"
Nathan sighed.
"Your mother has been filling your head with doubts."
"No."
Nathan stood.
"Vanessa loves us."
He gently ruffled Ethan's hair.
"Get some sleep."
The door closed again.
Nathan never noticed the notebook hidden beneath Ethan's blanket.
But someone else had.
May you like
Downstairs, Vanessa had been standing in the hallway the entire time.
Listening.
