Chapter 2

On a Wednesday afternoon, St. Jude Elementary hosted the town-wide Youth Science Fair award ceremony.

Ethan stood on stage, a golden first-place medal hanging around his neck. The miniature ecosystem tank he built with his own two hands drew cheers from the entire crowd.

"And now, we invite the champion’s parents to join Ethan on stage to receive his honor together!"

The principal’s voice echoed through the auditorium.

Ethan straightened his small back, his eager eyes locking onto the first row.

Julian had dressed in a crisp suit for the occasion. Just thirty minutes earlier, he had made a solemn promise: "Ethan, Daddy’s not going anywhere today. I’ll be right beside you when you get that award."

Yet the very second Julian smiled and stood up to walk toward the stage, his phone chimed rhythmically.

It was Helena’s custom ringtone.

Julian answered, his brow furrowing deeply.

"What? Mason got into a fight with a classmate and ran off school grounds?"

"Okay, hang in there. I’m on my way."

"Julian!" I grabbed his wrist, suppressing the tremor in my voice.

"It takes three minutes. Can’t you just wait until he gets his award? Ethan is watching you right now."

Julian yanked his arm back, irritation flashing in his eyes.

"Ethan already won the gold medal! He’s happy, and he’s safe. But Mason is just a little kid who got into a fight and ran out of school alone. He could be in serious danger."

"Laura, can you show a little compassion for once?"

"Dad..." On stage, Ethan suddenly called out into the microphone, his small voice dripping with plea. "You promised me. You brought the new token, right?"

Julian froze. He turned to look at the frail little boy on stage. His eyes reddened for a brief moment, but the faint glimmer of guilt vanished in a flash.

He pulled a commemorative token from his pocket, shoved it into my palm, and yelled back at Ethan.

"Be a good boy, Ethan! Mason doesn’t have a father to protect him—he needs me way more than you do right now! You’re a big boy now, learn to be understanding!"

With that, without another glance at either of us, he bolted out of the auditorium.

In that instant, the hushed whispers of the parents around us pierced my back like needles.

Watching Julian’s retreating figure, I forced myself to swallow back the tears.

Julian claimed Mason "didn't have a father," yet Helena had previously claimed her ex-husband was simply working out of town.

Julian’s borderline unhealthy possessiveness and guilt toward Mason went far beyond caring for an ex-girlfriend's child.

I didn't dwell on the suspicion—my son was still waiting for me.

On stage, the light in Ethan’s eyes slowly died out.

He didn't cry. He merely forced a polite, tiny smile at the principal.

"It’s okay, Mr. Principal. My mommy can come up with me."

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I walked up to the stage and took my son's small, trembling hand.

When night fell, we returned home.

Ethan paid no attention to his shiny medal. He walked straight into his room and pulled out the lacquered tin box.

Trowel in hand, he walked into the pitch-black backyard once again.

Under the moonlight, he methodically dug up the dirt beside the oak tree, dropped another token inside, covered it up, and stomped it flat.

"Number thirty-one," Ethan whispered, his voice fading into the cold autumn breeze like smoke.

I stood under the patio awning, watching my son’s thin silhouette.

Resting in my palm was the new token Julian had shoved into my hand earlier—its cold, sharp edges digging so deep into my skin it almost drew blood.