Her Edge

Forgot

Chapter 6

She held out one of her ice cream cones. He hesitated before taking it, his small fingers curling tightly around it. He had finally let down some of his walls around her. She was glad.

His eyes were still watery, though he tried so hard to hide it. That only made him look cuter to her.

She loved little children.

He paused before a bite, glancing up at her.

“Are you going to take me back?”

Elaine leaned her chin into her palm, staring into his big ocean-colored eyes.

“Do you want me to?”

His gaze dropped, and instead of answering he took another bite. The guilt was clear in his face, but so was the longing not to return.

Truth was, he had run away from his nanny—and now he was lost.

“I don’t blame you for running away,” she said softly. “I ran away from home when I was seventeen.”

Her words slipped out too casually, and she caught herself. She rarely spoke about it—especially not with strangers, much less a child.

“Why?” he asked.

“I had an issue with my dad. So I left.” She rose and held out her hand, smiling. “But I won’t bore you with that now. Come on, let’s get you back.”

He slid his hand into hers, shoving the rest of the cone into his mouth. They anbled down the walkway

“So,” she tried gently, “want to tell me why you ran away?”

He stared down at his shoes. “Because… no one wants me. Not even Maman.” he blurted with ease.

He had always wanted to tell someone.

Her brows furrowed. A child carrying such a heavy heart.

“And what makes you think that?” she asked carefully. “Did they say something? Hurt you?”

He shook his head. “No. Papa’s rarely at home. Maman doesn’t visit anymore. Malysh is older than me and… I don’t know.” His voice wavered, breaking.

Elaine’s heart clenched. She ruffled his hair gently, then pulled him into her arms as his tears spilled over his flushed cheeks.

“It’s alright. None of this is your fault. You’re a good kid. I’m sure your family is lucky to have you.”

“But Papa didn’t come to the park with me,” he sobbed. “He promised!”

Her embrace tightened. She let him cry, waiting patiently as his small frame trembled against her. His love for his father was obvious—it was the disappointment that cut him.

“Young Master!”

Elaine’s head snapped up, instincts on guard. A man in a black suit jogged toward them, breathless.

She straightened up with Leo in her arms.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he said, relief in his tone. “You left your inhaler. Your father is worried.”

Leo buried his face deeper into Elaine’s shoulder. “Leave me alone.”

The man glanced at Elaine, silently pleading for help.

She offered a shrug. “Kid, I think you should go with him—”

“I don’t want to.” he deadpanned, clearly pained.

“But the master is here, worried sick loo—”

Before he could finish, Leo jerked upright, eyes wide.

“He’s here? Where?”

The man smiled, relieved. “Yes. I’ll text him now to say I’ve found you.”

Leo finally loosened his grip on Elaine’s shoulder. She put him down. He glanced up into her eyes. “Thank you, Miss. I’ll go now.”

Her smile was gentle. His words were sincere, happiness reflected in his expression.

The man took Leo’s hand, showing her his phone as proof. “We’ll be on our way. Thank you for taking care of him.”

“Not a problem,” she said. “It was my pleasure.”

Elaine stood still until they disappeared from sight. Then she turned and walked away.

Present

“…So that’s why you kept staring at me. You were upset I didn’t remember.” Elaine groans softly.

“It was last year in January,” Leo explains. “And I never told you my name.”

“Still not an excuse.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry for forgetting, Leo. I had a lot going on back then. How do I make it up to you?”

He grins. “Let me go play with Jacob?”

She blinks, then gasps when she realizes.

“Oh! Of course. You can go. We’ll talk about this another time.”

He nods, slipping out of his seat. But before running off, he hugs her quickly. She stiffens in surprise, missing the faint blush on his cheeks as he darts away.

Her lips stretch into a smile. She can't imagine a better job than teaching. She loves it.

Leaning back in her chair, her thoughts drift—not to Leo, but to the day she herself had run away. The day she swore she’d live on her own terms. The day her father decided he hated her for it.

Maybe… maybe it is time she called him.

She drowns the idea. A walk would be better instead. She needs to clear her head.

Phone carefully tucked in her pocket, she leaves the classroom—and bumps into someone. Books tumbling to the floor.

“Oh! I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking.” She bends quickly to help.

“No, I was in your way.” He straightens, gathering the last book from her hand.

Elaine studies him. She’d never seen him around before. A substitute?

“I’m Cole. Cole Rayes. Filling in for the math teacher.” He smiles, extending his hand.

She takes it politely. “Elaine Roosevelt. Nice to meet you.”

“I didn’t know Harold was sick,” she adds.

“Yeah, he called in this morning. Should be back in a week.”

“Didn’t know it was that serious,” she murmurs.

“Guess I should let you go,” she says finally. “I’ve got class in five.”

“Sure. See you around, Elaine.”

She walks away, his gaze trailing after her until she vanishes down the hall.

Cole glances up at the corner camera, then taps the side rims of his glasses

“Target has been located,” he mutters coldly.