Chapter 3: The son they both loved
546 Words
Chapter 3: The Son They Both Loved
The soft laughter of a child echoed through Hayes Manor, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the mansion since the wedding.
Isabella smiled before she even reached the front door.
She knew that laugh.
The moment she opened it, a little boy with sparkling brown eyes ran toward her as fast as his tiny legs could carry him.
"Mommy!"
"Ethan!"
She dropped to her knees and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"I missed you so much," she whispered, kissing his forehead.
"I missed you more," Ethan replied with a grin.
He was six years old, cheerful, intelligent, and the brightest light in Isabella's life. No matter how difficult her days became, one smile from her son made every sacrifice worthwhile.
Behind him stood Mrs. Clara, Ethan's longtime nanny.
"He insisted on coming as soon as school ended," Clara said with a warm smile. "Nothing could stop him."
"I'm glad you brought him."
Ethan grabbed Isabella's hand excitedly.
"Mommy, where's Daddy?"
Before Isabella could answer, footsteps echoed down the grand staircase.
Alexander appeared, dressed in a charcoal suit after returning early from the office.
The moment Ethan saw him, his face lit up.
"Daddy!"
He ran across the marble floor and threw his arms around Alexander's legs.
For a brief moment, the cold billionaire disappeared.
Alexander bent down, lifted Ethan into his arms, and smiled—a genuine smile that Isabella had never seen directed at her.
"How's my little champion?" Alexander asked.
"I got first place in my spelling test!"
"Did you?"
Ethan nodded proudly.
"And I scored a goal during football practice!"
"I'm proud of you."
Isabella watched silently.
No matter how distant Alexander was with her, he had always loved Ethan.
He never missed birthdays.
Never forgot school events.
Never failed to provide everything his son needed.
Sometimes Isabella wondered if Ethan was the only reason Alexander hadn't walked away years ago.
Ethan suddenly looked between them.
"Can we have dinner together tonight?"
The question caught both adults off guard.
Alexander hesitated.
His eyes briefly met Isabella's before he looked away.
"I have work."
Ethan's smile faded.
"But... we're a family."
The innocent words struck Isabella's heart.
Alexander noticed the disappointment in his son's face.
After a long pause, he sighed.
"I'll stay."
Ethan cheered happily, clapping his hands.
"I'll tell the chef!"
He dashed toward the kitchen, leaving the two adults alone once again.
Silence returned.
Isabella finally spoke.
"Thank you."
"I'm doing it for him."
"I know."
Alexander adjusted his watch without looking at her.
"Don't misunderstand my decision."
"I won't."
As he turned to leave, Ethan's laughter echoed through the mansion once more.
Neither Alexander nor Isabella noticed the black SUV parked across the street.
Inside, the mysterious man from the wedding watched the family through a camera lens.
He slowly smiled.
"So... the perfect family is finally together."
He picked up his phone and made a call.
"It's time."
A deep voice answered from the other end.
"Begin Phase Two."
The call ended.
The man started the engine and drove away, unaware that his next move would set into motion a chain of events that would expose secrets buried for six long years—and threaten everything Isabella held dear.
- Writer
