Chapter 12
354 Words
Ethan’s POV
Lena didn’t say much after she sat down. And I didn’t ask. Some silences didn’t need filling they just needed to be shared.
Mateo made a soft noise from the bassinet, and Lena leaned over instinctively, brushing a finger across his tiny cheek. Her whole face softened when she looked at him. And even though I wasn’t supposed to notice things like that, I did.
I always did.
“You know,” I said finally, “for someone who swore she was only doing this for the credits, you’re very attached to that kid.”
She didn’t look at me. “Don’t act like you aren’t.”
“I’m charming. Babies love me.”
She laughed. Quiet. But real. The kind of laugh that made something in my chest relax.
We were almost comfortable.
Until someone knocked on the door.
We both looked at each other. It was late. No one in the program ever knocked, they just barged in like they owned the place.
I got up and opened it.
Standing there was a woman in a navy coat, holding a manila envelope.
“You’re Ethan?” she asked.
“Yeah…”
“I was told to deliver this. I’m just the courier I don’t know what it is.” She held out the envelope like it might bite.
Lena appeared behind me, brows furrowed.
The woman nodded once and left. No explanation.
I turned the envelope over. No name. No return address. Just like the last one.
My stomach dropped.
Lena was already reaching for it.
“Wait,” I said, but it was too late she’d already pulled it open.
Inside was another letter. And this time… a second photo.
Note of Mateo.
But of a hospital bracelet. A baby’s wrist. Blurry, taken like someone was hiding the camera.
Lena’s hand flew to her mouth.
“What is this?” she whispered.
I didn’t know. But I knew one thing:
This wasn’t over.
It was just beginning.
Cue dramatic voice-over:
Another envelope. Another question. And just when things were starting to feel safe… fate knocked on the door. Literally.
- Writer
