Chapter 3
I ignored the headmaster.
I walked straight to the wooden bench against the wall.
My son sat there.
Eli wore his navy school blazer.
His small legs dangled off the edge.
He clutched a blue folder against his stomach.
When he saw me, he froze.
His head turned toward Blair first.
Then back to me.
"Eli," I whispered.
I dropped to my knees on the cold floor.
That was all it took.
He let go of the folder and threw his arms around my neck.
My shoulders shook.
I pulled him against my chest and buried my face in his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, baby," I sobbed. "Mommy's here."
Eli pulled back.
His dark eyes were wide.
"Mommy, are you staying? Are you coming home?"
My throat locked up.
He reached into his blazer pocket.
He pulled out a crushed strawberry candy wrapped in sticky plastic.
He pressed it into my hand.
"Don't cry, Mommy. Mommy likes strawberries. I saved it for you."
His small hand patted my cheek.
I closed my eyes and pressed his sticky fingers against my skin.
"Thank you, sweetie," I choked out.
Beside us, Blair cleared her throat.
Her heels clicked sharply against the marble.
"Eli. Stand up, please."
Eli flinched.
His fingers tightened on my coat sleeve.
He kept his eyes on mine.
Then he handed me a crayon drawing from his folder.
On the right side, he had drawn Mason and Blair in front of a golden house.
On the far left, behind a thick black line, was a tiny figure in blue.
"Who is this, sweetie?" I asked softly.
"That's you," Eli whispered.
At the bottom, the teacher had written his exact words:
"Daddy said Miss Blair will be looking after me now. Mommy lives somewhere else."
A sharp pain hit my chest.
"Did Daddy say that, Eli?"
Eli shook his head.
He darted a nervous glance at Blair.
"Miss Blair said it while Daddy was on the phone. Daddy heard her, but he was busy reading papers."
My phone buzzed.
A text from Mason:
"Stop making a scene in front of the board staff, Nora. Let Blair bring him to the estate while the custody papers clear."
Before the anger could settle, the phone vibrated again.
A blocked number.
A private line I hadn't seen ring in eight long years.
The screen flashed in the dim light.
Beside me, Blair frowned.
I stared at the numbers as silence swallowed the hallway.