Chapter 193

"Hey, Ethan? Why does one plus one make two?"

"Why do three strawberries plus two oranges equal five?"

"Ethan, Ethan. Do you like broccoli?"

Like a walking encyclopedia of childhood curiosity, Amelia bombarded Ethan with endless questions, her bright eyes sparkling with innocent wonder.

Though only five years old, Ethan carried himself with unusual maturity. He answered each question with patient seriousness, repeating explanations whenever Amelia showed the slightest confusion.

Evelyn had initially worried about how the children would interact. But watching them now, her fears melted away. Ethan treated Amelia with the gentle protectiveness of an older brother, his quiet demeanor belying a deep affection.

Yet Evelyn's smile faltered. Had her first child survived, Amelia might have known this sibling bond. The thought brought a familiar ache.

"Want to play hide-and-seek, Ethan?" Amelia extended her small hand.

After a brief hesitation, Ethan accepted. "Okay. I'll play with you."

His voice struck Evelyn as oddly formal for a child. More concerning was his complete lack of smiles since their arrival. This wasn't normal childhood behavior.

Puzzled, Evelyn arranged freshly baked cookies and juice on the coffee table. Before she could call the children, her phone buzzed.

Seeing the caller ID, she answered with deliberate coolness. "To what do I owe this call, Mr. Blackwood? I thought we agreed not to contact each other."

Alexander's rich baritone carried playful amusement. "Miss Prescott, you called first. Though I must say, your voice is a pleasant surprise."

Evelyn chuckled dryly. "Did you even check your messages before calling back? Your son's preschool teacher has been trying to reach you. I understand business keeps you busy, but children need their father's attention too."

Silence stretched across the line.

Finally, Alexander responded, "Ethan's with you? Send me your address. I'm coming over."

Evelyn provided the details without hesitation. A man of Alexander's resources could find her easily if he wanted.

As she hung up, Amelia's alarmed voice echoed from the hallway. "Ethan? What's wrong? Ethan!"

Evelyn rushed toward the sound, finding Ethan curled in a storage closet corner, knees drawn to his chest, trembling violently. His arms wrapped tightly around himself as he squeezed his eyes shut.

Amelia blinked up at Evelyn. "We were playing hide-and-seek, Mommy. Then Ethan hid here and stopped talking."

"It's alright, sweetheart." Evelyn comforted Amelia before crouching beside Ethan. "What's wrong, Ethan?" she asked gently, reaching out.

At her touch, Ethan flinched and curled tighter. The reaction twisted Evelyn's heart. "Don't be afraid. Aunt Vivian won't hurt you."

She tried again, resting a hand on his shoulder. This time, Ethan lifted his tear-streaked face. His pallor and lost expression sent a pang through Evelyn's chest - sharp as the pain she'd felt during labor, as visceral as childloss.

Her hand moved instinctively to stroke his hair. "What happened, Ethan? You can tell me. It's okay now. I'm here. No one will hurt you."

Ethan's eyes welled with fresh tears. With a shuddering breath, he suddenly threw himself into Evelyn's arms. His small body trembled as he whispered a word that shattered her composure: "Mom..."