Chapter 4 - The Man Dominic Vale Trusted Most
The next morning, Dominic canceled every appointment.
That alone shocked the entire mansion.
A man like Dominic Vale did not cancel meetings.
Not for anyone.
Except Noah.
I found him standing outside the north wing.
The same place everyone avoided.
“You believe him,” I said.
Dominic didn’t turn.
“I believe my son.”
“Then why did everyone ignore him?”
His jaw tightened.
“Because children who experience trauma often confuse memories and reality.”
“But you don’t think that’s what happened.”
No answer.
That was enough.
A few minutes later, Dominic opened the door.
Inside was an office.
Not Noah’s room.
Not a storage area.
A private office.
And on the desk were files.
Police reports.
Medical documents.
Photos.
I looked at Dominic.
“What is this?”
“My wife’s death.”
I went silent.
Everyone knew the official story.
A random roadside attack.
A tragedy.
But Dominic’s face told me there was more.
“She wasn’t supposed to die.”
I looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
“She was going to tell me something.”
“What?”
He stared at the files.
“I don’t know.”
Then the door opened.
A man entered.
Elegant suit.
Expensive watch.
Calm smile.
“Dominic.”
I recognized him.
Everyone in Chicago knew the name.
Ethan Cross.
Dominic’s closest friend.
His lawyer.
His business partner.
The man who had stood beside him for fifteen years.
Ethan looked at me.
“And who is this?”
“My son’s nanny.”
His smile disappeared slightly.
“Another one?”
The words sounded harmless.
But something about them bothered me.
Dominic noticed too.
“Leave.”
Ethan looked surprised.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
After Ethan left, I looked at Dominic.
“You trust him?”
A strange expression crossed his face.
“Why?”
“Because Noah was afraid when he mentioned a bad man.”
“And?”
“He looked toward this room.”
Dominic became still.
---
That night, someone entered my room.
I woke up because the door moved.
A shadow stood there.
I reached for my phone.
Then I heard a small voice.
“Clara.”
I froze.
Noah.
He stood in the doorway holding his stuffed rabbit.
“What are you doing here?”
He looked terrified.
Then he handed me something.
A small piece of paper.
A child’s drawing.
It showed three people.
A woman.
A little boy.
And a tall man.
The tall man had black eyes.
The child had drawn an X over his face.
At the bottom were shaky letters.
A name.
May you like
ETHAN.
---
