Chapter 4: The Child He Never Knew Existed

Daniel drove like a madman to the address written in Emmaâs file.
It led him to a small house outside the city.
There, on the porch, sat a little boy with Danielâs eyes.
The boy looked up.
âAre you my dad?â
Daniel couldnât breathe.
Before he could answer, an elderly woman stepped outside.
âYou shouldnât be here.â
Daniel whispered, âWhere is Emma?â
The womanâs face hardened.
âShe trusted you once. You destroyed her.â
Daniel looked at the boy again.
âWhy didnât she tell me?â
The womanâs eyes filled with tears.
âShe tried. The night she found out she was pregnant, you were celebrating with another woman.â
Daniel stepped back like heâd been stabbed.
âThat wasnâtââ
âShe saw the photos, Daniel. She heard you tell your friends marriage was a business mistake.â
Daniel covered his mouth.
He remembered that night.
He had been drunk.
Careless.
Cruel.
The boy slowly walked toward him, holding a toy car.
âMom said you were busy saving the world.â
Daniel dropped to his knees.
âNo⊠I was busy destroying mine.â
Then the elderly womanâs phone rang.
Her face turned pale.
She looked at Daniel and whispered,
âItâs the hospital.â
Daniel stood instantly.
âWhat happened?â
The womanâs lips trembled.
âThey found Emma.â
Danielâs heart pounded.
âWhere?â
The woman began to cry.
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âShe collapsed at the train stationâŠâ
âAnd she was holding a one-way ticket with Noahâs name on it.â