EPISODE003
949 Words
NOAH’S POV
I exhaled deeply as I entered my home and closed the door. I was exhausted from the day, but my thoughts continued to race. I kept thinking about Madison. Carter, too.
His face reminded me of a younger, smaller version of myself. His laughter, his smile, and the way his eyes were shaped. They were too familiar. Is he really my son? I hoped Madison wouldn't withhold something so significant from me. However, if he was actually five years
I wiped my face and made my way to the kitchen.
My phone then buzzed.
"Noah! Why did you call off your dinner with Brittany Clarke?
Mom. Naturally.
"Hello, Mom. I was preoccupied with my job. It was late.
"Is it too late to call and inform the girl? She was a fool waiting at The Ashford! Are you aware of the way that makes us turn to the Clarkes?
It was a business matter, Mom. I didn't intend for her to wait. I simply forgot.
"forgot? Is that your reasoning? The Clarks are already organising your engagement, Noah. Are you aware of the damage this type of behaviour causes to our reputation?
"I never consented to become engaged. Not to Brittany or anybody else.
"You're being self-centred. That girl is intelligent, attractive, and from a good family. You should consider what's best for your future instead of pursuing pointless ideas.
"I must leave. We'll discuss this later.
I hung up and threw my phone on the couch. I had to have a drink.
I poured myself a tasty glass of scotch and then settled down on the leather couch. I took a long sip, the cold glass warming my throat.
But Brittany and my mother weren't on my mind all that much.
Madison was on my mind. Concerning Carter.
That night with her was indelible in my memory. She had gazed at me with such intensity. Her voice was warm and shaky in the darkness. She put her arms around my back. My ear was touched by her breath.
Then she was gone.
I never imagined seeing her again.
Right up until yesterday.
And now, Carter.
My stomach turned over. What if I had him? What if I lost out on five years of his life? What if Madison had deliberately kept him away from me?
It wasn't until the glass slipped a bit that I realised how tightly I was holding it. I managed to catch it before it fell.
Then there was a noise. There was a movement. It was just loud enough to make me uneasy.
I got up, put the glass down, and grabbed the gun I kept in the couch's cushion. It was easy for my fingers to find. After turning off the safety, I took a cautious step towards the hallway.
Shadows covered the hardwood floors, and the lights were dim. The door to my bedroom was ajar.
I gave it a gentle push.
She was there.
Clarke, Brittany. Brittany is occupying my bed appearing far too at ease.
"What are you doing here?"
Her voice was soft but hurt, and she blinked at me. "You never arrived. You didn't give a call. I was concerned.
"Brittany, how did you get in?"
The question was disregarded by her.
"Noah, I spent two hours sitting there at The Ashford. Two hours. Even the dress you mentioned you liked was worn by me. You gave me a pitiful appearance.
"You shouldn't be in my house."
"Why not? Aren't we practically a couple? I don't understand. You can be warm one moment and cold the next. What went wrong with me?
"I never claimed that we were romantically involved. You made that assumption.
"You gave me the impression that we had something!"
"We didn't. We don't.
She appeared to have been slapped by me.
Her voice trembled as she said, "You're unbelievable." "You are flirtatious. You promise things. Then you abandon me like a coward.
"I never made any promises to you."
"Noah Walker, you're a self-centred jerk. Madison burnt me, and I hope he burns you too."
My back straightened.
"Avoid involving her in this."
That's who it is, isn't it? This is the woman who gave birth to the child. Her name appeared on the list of attendees for your meeting. figures.
I pushed the door open and motioned her out. "Now get out."
She brushed away her tears and pushed past me. "I hope you find your own path. You're worthy of that.
I didn't respond.
Behind her, she slammed the front door.
"Diana!"
The housekeeper appeared, her eyes wide, in less than ten seconds.
"Yes, Mr Walker?"
"How did Brittany enter?"
"I apologise, sir. When she arrived, I was out back. She claimed to have your consent"
"Going forward, nobody will enter this house without my permission. Whoever it is, I don't care."
"Yes, sir."
She vanished down the corridor.
I returned to my bedroom, flopped back against the pillows, and dropped the gun on the bed.
I gazed up at the ceiling.
Madison was all I could think about. Carter, too.
His tiny voice.
The way he treated me as though I were unique.
I still felt that way. Not since the medical facility.
And if I had him...
if I owned him.
Madison knew the answers. I also required them.
I forced myself to sleep by closing my eyes, but my thoughts wouldn't stop racing.
She once said, "My son is my world," as I recall.
What if I were a part of that world?
No more hiding. Don't wait any longer. I will learn the truth tomorrow.
Because until I knew what was true, I couldn't proceed.
- Writer
