Chapter 5
Murphy had always been a solitary, introverted boy. Nobody in the Fletcher residence ever dared to approach him. But now, for the first time, someone was showering him with hugs and kisses, even ruffling his hair with sudden affection.
He stood frozen, completely stunned. What was happening?
He had only gone outside to clear his head, weighed down by the ache of not having a mother. He’d noticed Janelle acting strangely when he returned, so he’d tossed a pebble her way.
The next thing he knew, she was rushing toward him, pulling him into a tight embrace. And now, she was calling herself his mommy?
For the first time, a flicker of emotion broke through Murphy’s usual stoicism. His gaze dropped to the striking Janelle crouching eagerly before him.
He pursed his lips and murmured, “What did you just say?”
“Huh?” Janelle blinked at him, tilting her head slightly at his serious expression. “I said. You should’ve told Hannah you were coming.
“Before that.”
“Before? Did you hear Mommy was here and came looking for me?”
Murphy’s expression faltered as Janelle’s words sank in. Doubt and longing flickered in his eyes.
He parted his lips, his voice tight and uncertain as he asked, “You’re saying… you’re my mom?”
Thrown by his reaction, Janelle frowned in concern. She reached out to press a hand to his forehead,
After a second, she let out a quiet laugh, relieved. “No fever, baby. What’s going on? You’re not seriously telling me you don’t know who I am?”
Murphy’s breath hitched, his nerves tangling his words. “N–No, it’s not that ”
He wasn’t sure why, but something about Janelle stirred a tenderness in him. Could this beautiful woman really be his mother?
The longer Murphy looked at her, the more convinced he became. For years, he’d dreamed of this moment, aching just to see her face. And now, she was hore.
ing, he threw himself into l
Janelle’s arms,
Without thinking.
his voice small and soft, no longer guarded but raw with emotion. “Mommy, I finally found you.”
He knew Benedict had lied to him. His mother hadn’t abandoned him at all. She’d even come back for him.
As Janelle felt Murphy’s sorrow and clinginess, her heart softened. She gently rubbed his back and whispered, “What’s
‘s wrong, baby? Don’t worry. right here. Everything’s okay.
She figured Tiffany must’ve heard she’d been taken and gotten scared. Still, Janelle never expected Tiffany to actually locate this place, not when she could get lost in her own neighborhood.
Now that was a miracle.
A quiet price warmed Janelle’s chest at how much Tiffany had grown. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone passing by, and her Tace paled.
Luckily, the stranger didn’t even glance their way. Even so, they couldn’t stay. It was time to g
Janelle looked down at Murphy and kept her voice gentle. “Come home with Mommy, okay?”
A man as ruthless as Benedict wouldn’t stop until he found Taylor. He’d already taken Janelle. If he got his hands on Tiffany, he’d use her as leverage to force the truth out of Janelle
It was too dangerous. They needed to get out of here fast.
Without another thought, Janelle stood and took Murphy’s hand. “Let’s go, baby.
- b. We ca
can talk when we get home.”
Murphy looked up at Janelle like she was the only thing that mattered. He nodded. “Okay, Mommy I’ll go with you.”
He’d just found his mother. The thought of losing her now was unbearable.
Anyway, Benedict wasn’t going anywhere. Murphy had already slipped away once. It wouldn’t make much difference whether he contacted Benedict now or later.
Benedict made his way down to the second floor. Before he could even reach the bedroom, the sound of chaos spilled out into the hallway.
‘Mr. Fletcher, you’re finally here!”
The second Ethan saw Benedict, his eyes brimmed with tears. He rushed over, head down in shame.
*This is all my fault, Mr. Fletcher. If I’d lept a closer eye on Murphy, his episode wouldn’t have gotten this bad. Now, he’s all worked up while rambling on about nonsense. He doesn’t even know who I am and keeps saying we’re the bad guys-”
Ethan was mid–sentence when something small and fast came barreling toward him. Before he could react, Tifany slammed into him.
She clutched her head with a wince as she crumpled to the floor. Her plan had been to knock the “big meanle” over and bolt, but it hadn’t worked out.
Chapter 5
Benedict’s gaze softened as he looked at Tittany sprawled on the flour.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he reached out to her, trying to get her to talk.
But she slapped his hand away and shot to her feet, her voice sharp with anger. “Get your hands off me, jerk! One bully wasn’t enough, so you had to bring backup? A bunch of grown men ganging up on a four–year–old? You’re unbelievable!”
Benedict tensed at her words, his eyes turning red. “You don’t even remember me, Murph?”
Tiffany hesitated, caught off guard by the softness in his voice. He didn’t seem dangerous. It anything, he almost felt safe.
The moment that thought crossed her mind, she flinched.
That couldn’t be right. He had to be a bad guy, putting on a kind act to hide his real intentions. A smart girl like her wasn’t about to fall for a villain’s
tricks.
Tiffany puffed out her cheeks and huffed in frustration, putting as much distance between them as she could.
She yelled, “I don’t know you! You’re all liars, criminals, and kidnappers! I want my mom! Give her back right now, a–or I’ll never talk to you again!” There was no way this horrible man actually had a daughter. If he did, why would he snatch her just for being too adorable to resist? Only the worst kind of monsters stole kids.
Benedict had been worried, but the moment Tiffany said she wanted her mother, the concern in his eyes vanished, replaced by icy fury.
Ever since Murphy could talk, he’d been begging Benedict to bring his mother back,
Had he really learned to fake being sick just to see her? Why would anyone miss a woman who’d walked out on her own kid?
Tiffany could feel the icy rage coming off Benedict. Frightened, she pressed herself against the wall, her short hair practically standing on end.
Benedict was terrifying. The thought wouldn’t leave her what if bad guys really did gobble up kids? Right then, she promised herself she’d be good from now on and quit sneaking snacks.
Fear twisted in her chest. All she wanted was to go home.
Tiffany’s panicked stare made Benedict tense up. He quickly dialed back the icy intensity clinging to him.
What was wrong with him? The woman who’d slept with him and left Murphy behind was the one to blame, not the boy. Murphy just wanted his mother. And according to the doctor, that longing would only worsen as he grew older.
A thought struck Benedict, and his gaze turned serious.
Maybe Murphy needed a stepmother.
