Chapter 11 - THE SON
The boy was eight years old.
His name was Noah.
Caroline learned that Luke had been secretly supporting him.
But Noah wasn't Luke's biological son.
He was Margaret's grandson through another relationship.
Luke had used him as part of the family business arrangement.
Caroline couldn't understand.
“Why?”
Jessica explained.
“The Hayes family has always been obsessed with inheritance.”
Noah had been raised to believe Luke was his father.
Luke planned to use him as the male heir.
Caroline stared at the photographs.
The boy looked innocent.
He had no idea what adults had done around him.
Caroline felt something unexpected.
Pity.
Not for Luke.
For Noah.
She turned to Detective Reed.
“Where is he?”
“Protected custody.”
“Can I see him?”
Reed hesitated.
“Why?”
“Because someone needs to tell him the truth carefully.”
Reed agreed.
When Caroline saw Noah, she didn't tell him everything.
She simply sat beside him.
“Do you know why you're here?”
He nodded.
“Mr. Luke said I was important.”
Caroline's heart broke.
“You are.”
The boy looked at her.
“Am I his son?”
Caroline swallowed.
“No.”
He looked down.
“Does that mean he doesn't love me?”
Caroline reached for his hand.
“None of this is your fault.”
Noah began crying.
Caroline pulled him into a careful embrace.
Across the room, Emily watched silently.
The woman who had once been blamed for failing to give Luke a son was now comforting a child Luke had used as a weapon.
Then Detective Reed entered.
“We have a warrant.”
Caroline looked up.
“For Luke?”
Reed nodded.
“And Margaret.”
Caroline's heart pounded.
“What happens now?”
May you like
Reed answered:
“They're going to be arrested.”
