Left My Cheating Husband And Married His Boss

When My Son Disappeared

CHAPTER 3

I jolted up in surprise as Mr. Alexander Waverly, the powerful CEO of the Waverly Holdings strode toward us in long, commanding steps. His sharp eyes landed on me for a brief moment before turning to his son, Henry, who now stood with his head bowed like one caught stealing.

“What is the meaning of this, Henry?” His voice cut through the air, sharp and lashing. “How many times have I warned you never to wander off without telling anyone?”

Henry didn’t respond—his small fingers fidgeted nervously. Watching the interaction, guilt pricked at me. I should have tried to find his father as soon as I saw him sitting alone in the hallway.

I wanted to speak up but held my tongue. I knew what it was like trying to correct a child who didn’t listen.

“I—I’m sorry, Dad,” Henry mumbled, his voice trembling as he twisted the hem of his shirt. My heart ached at the sight.

“Let’s go,” he said curtly, gripping his son’s hand and turning to leave.

I hesitated for a second before blurting out, “You should let him spend more time with kids his age. It might help him develop better socially.”

The CEO stopped abruptly. His gaze snapped to mine, sharp enough to make me regret speaking.

“Are you trying to teach me how to raise my own son?” he asked coldly. “Focus on your job, Mrs. Evans, and stay out of my family’s affair. It’s okay to care but don’t overstep your boundaries.”

His words hit like a slap. My jaw tightened, and I fought to keep my composure. If only he knew his own wife was out there meddling in everyone else’s business, overstepping her boundaries. I thought bitterly.

Biting back the urge to argue, I bowed my head slightly. “My apologies, sir.”

I turned away, but Henry’s lonely eyes stayed with me—the way he’d been sitting by the stairs, lost, detached, isolated.

Before I could dwell on it again, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Freda, my closest friend and Ethan’s teacher.

“Freda?” I answered, hearing the panic in her voice instantly.

“Claire , you need to come to the school—right now. Ethan is nowhere to be found.”

“What do you mean he’s nowhere to be found?” My heart began to pound. “I dropped him off this morning. I saw him walk in through the gates!”

“I know. I saw him too. But he’s not here anymore.”

I pressed a hand to my forehead, trying to stay calm. “I’ll be there immediately. Please—keep looking for him.”

I hung up and looked up at Mr. Waverly. “I’m sorry, sir, but I have to go. It’s urgent.”

“Do what you must,” he said simply, stepping aside.

Without another word, I ran for my car and sped toward the school, panic rising with every mile. When I arrived, Freda and a few teachers were waiting outside, their faces grim.

“Freda, what’s going on? Where is he?” I asked, breathless.

“We can’t find him anywhere. It looks like he might have… skipped classes.”

“Skipped classes?” I shook my head. “Ethan? No, that’s not possible. He’s never done that. How could a nine-year-old just leave school without anyone noticing?”

Freda looked away uneasily. “This… isn’t the first time. We’ve noticed a few absences recently.”

The world tilted beneath me. My knees nearly buckled. Had I been so caught up in work that I hadn’t noticed something was wrong?

I pulled out my phone and called Daniel, praying he’d have some answers.

When he finally picked up, his tone was calm. Too calm.

“Claire, don’t panic. Just go home and wait there in case he comes back.”

“Daniel, our son is missing! How can you be so calm about it? Is he with you?” I demanded but the line went dead.

Freda squeezed my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. Maybe he’s nearby. Maybe he went home.”

But my gut twisted. Something wasn’t right.

When I got home, I half-expected Ethan to jump out from behind the couch with a mischievous grin, letting me know this was all some silly kids’ prank. But the house was empty. Silent.

“No,” I whispered. “I can’t just sit here doing nothing.”

As I turned to leave, the doorbell rang. A mailman stood outside holding a medium-sized package.

“Mrs. Evans?” he asked.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“There’s a delivery here for a Ethan Evans.”

I frowned but signed for it anyway. The label made my stomach tighten—From: Waverly Residence.

A birthday gift? But his birthday was over a week ago. And how did she even know his birthday?

Before I could think further, the door opened again. Julia, walked in with two people behind her—Daniel and Ethan.

My son ran inside, smiling, holding both their hands.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. Relief, confusion, and disbelief flooded me all at once.

“You… found him?” I asked shakily, looking from Daniel to Julia.

She blinked innocently. “Found? Oh no, we weren’t looking for him. We’ve been spending the week at the amusement park—the one Ethan always talks about.”

My chest tightened. “Excuse me?”

She gave a small, pitying smile. “You didn’t even ask where he was, did you? Maybe try caring a little more about your child, Claire. It’s a good thing he was with me. Imagine if it had been someone else.”

Her words sliced through me like glass. My fists clenched, anger burning beneath my skin.