Chapter 9
Murphy wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. He didn’t know why Benedict and Janelle had split up, and he was afraid it he brought up a painful topic, she might get upset and leave him again.
His head dipped slightly
Janelle laughed at the sight and ruffled his hair. “When have you ever held back with me? I’m your mom. No one’s closer to you than I am. If there‘ something you want to know, just ask. You don’t have to keep it in ”
Murphy relaxed just enough to speak when he heard what she said, his voice sweet and a little stuffy. “Mommy, why did you and Daddy split up
He murmured the last part so quietly that it was almost too soft to hear. But Janelle still caught it, and for a brief moment, her arms around him stilled She hesitated, not sure how to answer.
The memories flooded back. Back when she’d settled abroad, she’d tried to figure out what happened that night, but there were no clues.
The hotel’s security footage had already been wiped, so she didn’t even know who the man from that night was,
Tillany had always seemed so carefree, never once asking about her father, Janelle had assumed it didn’t bother her.
But now, a dull ache settled in Janelle’s chest. Tillary was just a kid, after all, Deep down, she must’ve craved a father’s love.
The worst part was that Jamelle couldn’t tell Tiffany the truth. Bella needed that man to be her bone marrow donor, but Janelle refused to let her kids call him their father. jhim
As the thought occurred to her, Javelle gazed at Murphy with tenderness and came to a decision. “Baby, it’s not that I don’t want to be with your dad. He
passed away.”
She hoped putting it this way would maintain the illusion of a happy family, helping Tittany come to terms with it more easily.
Janelle had no idea this explanation would rattle Murphy more than anything else. He blinked, his lips parting slightly in shock
Dead? But he’d just seen Benedict that morning. How could he have died so suddenly?
After a brief pause to steady himself, Murphy put it together. Janelle was clearly furious with Benedict. That had to be why she’d said he was dead. But for her to go that far? She must’ve been beyond angry
Murphy’s lips parted slightly, like he wanted to say something in Benedict’s defense, but after a brief, futile struggle, he just lowered his head in defeat.
It was obvious Benedict and Janelle weren’t anywhere close to making up.
Janelle saw how defeated Murphy looked and was about to say something to comfort him when her phone rang. She picked it up, confused.
The moment she saw the caller ID, her expression hardened with fury. She couldn’t believe that scum of the earth actually had the nerve to call her.
Night had fallen by the time Ethan led an elegant woman carrying a case up–to the second floor of the Fletcher residence. They stopped outside a closed
door.
“Ms. Baker, Murphy is right inside,” he said.
Keira gave him a nod and a quick glance. “Alright. I’ll take it from here. Wait outside. I don’t want to overwhelm Murphy with too many people at once.”
Inside, the room was brightly lit. Though it was meant for a four–year–old, the bookshelf was filled with advanced programming manuals, finance books, and books on economic law.
Every item was arranged with precision, and even the walls stuck to a strict black–and–white color scheme. The whole room had an air of rigid discipline.
Tiffany sat on the bed, arms wrapped around her knees, looking utterly miserable. She just couldn’t figure it out–how could that bad guy justify locking. up someone as sweet and full of life as her in such a horrible place?
There was barely any food and nothing fun to pass the time. Even when she tried reading to take her mind off things, the only books around were dry. technical ones filled with terms she couldn’t make sense of.
Her heart sank. What were these bad guys trying to do to her? Wasn’t keeping her captive enough? Did they really have to tomment someone as young and Innocent as her?
Tillany had just given up hope when the door suddenly swung open from the outside. This was her chance!
She threw herself off the bed and sprinted for the door as fast as her short legs could carry her. Her mind was screaming. She had to get out of this hellhole.
IN
Keira had barely stepped Inside when she spotted the small figure charging at her. The sight surprised her,
r, but at the same time, warmth flooded through heri
Murphy had always ignored her before. Had he finally come around? Did he finally realize how kind she was to him?
She gave her softest smile and bent down. “Murph, come here. Let me–”
Before she could get the words out, Tiffany barreled into her, sending her tumbling to the ground with a pained yelp.
Tiffany prised her lips and darted for the stairs, not even glancing back as she stepped over Keira, still sprawled on the floor after her hand fall. Bor
before she could get far, a hand grabbed her collar and yanked her back.
Ethan hauled the little runaway in and let out a relieved sigh.
“Murphy, if you keep running, Mr. Fletcher’s going to lose his temper,” he said, almost pleading.
Tiffany fell silent. Was there really no way out?
She pressed her lips together, then raised her head and gave Ethan a desperate, pleading look. “Sir…” Ethan stiffened at how softly she spoke. An Icy shiver ran down his back.
Was Murphy seriously begging him now?
This wasn’t good. Because Murphy was ice–cold, the kind of boy who couldn’t be bothered with
пропе.
Ethan’s eyes stung with unshed tears. Crouching before Tiffany, he kept his voice polite and gentle. “Murphy, you’re just sick right now. It’s going to be okay. Don’t be scared.”
Tiffany wasn’t haring it.
“I’m not sick! Mommy says I’m in good shape!” she fired back, her voice loud and insistent.
Ethan had watched Murphy grow up, and it broke his heart to see him like this. Still, he had no choice but to guide him back to his room.
“Ms. Belber, I’ll leave Murphy with you.”
Keira awkwardly got up from the floor. “Sure, leave him to me. Don’t worry!”
Tiffany watched helplessly as the door swung shut. Her eyes stayed fixed on it for a moment before her face fell. Her heart sank. That precious chance to escape was gone.
Keira walked toward her slowly, softening her voice as much as possible. “Murph, let me take a look at you, okay?”
Murph?
Tiffany frowned.
Who was that?
