Confronting The Past

Nadine's breath came in short, panicked gasps as she rushed out of the shopping mall. She held Liam tightly to her chest, his little arms wrapped around her neck. She could feel his heart beating rapidly against hers, matching her own fear.

As she hurried through the crowds, people stared at her with curious expressions. But Nadine didn't notice. She was too focused on getting to the car as quickly as possible.

Liam's soft voice broke through her thoughts, trembling with confusion. "Mommy, why are we running?" he asked.

Nadine tried to calm down, taking a deep breath before answering. "We're just... uh... trying to beat the traffic, sweetie," she said, forcing a weak smile.

But Liam's eyes looked uncertain, and he tightened his grip on her neck. "But Mommy, we're almost running," he pointed out.

Nadine's heart sank. She knew she couldn't keep the truth from Liam for much longer. But for now, she just wanted to get him to safety.

"It's okay, baby," she whispered, trying to reassure him. "We'll be fine. Just hold on to Mommy."

“It’s nothing, sweetheart,” she whispered, forcing a calmness she didn’t feel. “We just have to get home, okay?”

Nadine's hands shook as she buckled Liam into his car seat. She quickly looked over her shoulder at the mall's entrance. Adrian wasn't there, but that didn't make her feel any better. The knot of fear in her chest remained tight.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "Okay, Liam, we're going home now," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

Liam looked up at her with big, curious eyes. "Mommy, what's wrong?" he asked.

Nadine forced a smile. "Nothing's wrong, sweetie. Mommy's just a little tired, that's all."

But Liam didn't look convinced. He looked at her with a serious expression, as if he knew she was hiding something.

Nadine started the car and began to drive away from the mall. She kept looking in the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see Adrian's car following them. But there was no one there.

As she drove, Nadine's mind raced with thoughts of Adrian and what he might do next. She knew she had to protect Liam, no matter what.

The car ride home was quiet, the only sound Liam's soft humming. He sensed his mother's tension, but didn't ask any more questions.

Nadine's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she replayed the encounter with Adrian over and over in her mind.

She couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Adrian had recognized her, and the shock in his eyes had mirrored her own. But what really scared her was the way he had looked at Liam - as though he knew something.

As soon as they reached home, Nadine pulled Liam into a tight hug, her hand stroking his hair.

"You're okay, baby. You're safe," she whispered, trying to reassure him. But her own heart didn't believe it. She felt a sense of dread creeping over her, as though she was waiting for something to happen.

Liam looked up at her with big, curious eyes. "Mommy, what's wrong?" he asked again.

Nadine forced a smile. "Nothing, baby. Mommy's just a little tired. Let's go inside and have some dinner, okay?"

Liam nodded, but Nadine could tell he didn't believe her. She knew she had to protect him, no matter what. But how?

Nadine settled Liam in the living room with his toys and retreated to the kitchen, her mind racing. She paced back and forth, her phone clutched in her hand, as she dialed Clara's number.

"Hello?" Clara's cheerful voice answered.

"Clara, you can't tell him anything," Nadine said, her voice low and urgent.

There was a pause on the other end. "Him? You mean Adrian? Nadine, who is he?" Clara asked, confusion creeping into her voice.

Nadine's grip on the phone tightened. "Clara, please," she begged.

"Promise me. If he comes back to the café, you don't tell him my name, my address, anything. I don't care what excuse you have to make."

Clara hesitated, and Nadine could sense her friend's unease. "Okay... but you're scaring me. Is this about Liam? Is he—"

Nadine interrupted, her voice cracking. "Just promise me, Clara."

There was a long pause before Clara finally replied, "I promise."

*

Adrian sat in his hotel room, his eyes fixed on his phone as he tried to process the events of the previous day. He had barely slept, his mind racing with questions and memories.

For years, he had thought about her every day, wondering what had become of her. And now, she was here, standing right in front of him. But it wasn't just about her anymore - it was about Liam.

Adrian's jaw clenched in determination as he opened his laptop and began searching for any information he could find. He picked up his phone and dialed Marcus, his closest friend and confidant.

"Marcus," he said, his voice firm. "I need a favor."

Marcus groaned on the other end. "Another one? What now?"

"Find everything you can about a woman named Nadine living here in Seabrook," Adrian instructed. "She works at a café. She has a son. His name is Liam."

There was a long silence before Marcus spoke. "You think he's yours, don't you?"

Adrian didn't answer, his silence confirmation enough.

"I'll get back to you," Marcus said finally.

Adrian ended the call and leaned back in his chair, his mind consumed by thoughts of Liam. He couldn't stop thinking about the boy's sparkling eyes, his curious nature, and the faint dimple in his cheek when he smiled.

There was no doubt in Adrian's mind. Liam was his son.

*

Nadine sat on the couch, pretending to watch TV as Liam played with his blocks on the rug. But her eyes kept darting to the front window, her mind racing with worries that Adrian might show up.

Just as she was about to get up and lock the door again, a sharp knock made her jump. Her breath caught in her throat. She froze, staring at the door, her heart pounding loudly.

"Mommy, someone's here!" Liam exclaimed, running toward the door.

"Liam, stop!" Nadine said sharply, standing and grabbing his hand before he could reach the handle.

Another knock came, louder this time.

"Nadine, open the door," The voice called from the other side, low and commanding.

Nadine's blood ran cold. Liam turned to her, his small face lighting up.

"Is that Daddy?" he asked, his voice full of excitement.

Nadine's heart sank. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to protect Liam from the truth.