Chapter 7

CHAPTER SIX

Ethan’s POV

I was stil in the office checking Sophia through the CCTV when my phone rang.

At first, I almost ignored it, I jus wanted my eyes fixed on Sophia, but when I saw the caller ID, I answered immediately.

It was Willy’s school, I had a bad feeling because why would they be calling by this time? So i picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Good evening, Mr. Alan,” the woman on the line said politely. “We are calling because Willy is still at school. The person responsible for picking him up has not arrived yet.”

My brows immediately pulled together. “What do you mean no one has arrived?”

There was a brief pause. “We have been waiting for quite some time. School ended over an hour ago.”

I looked at the time. It was already past five in the evening.

My expression got  darkened immediately. “Stay with him. I am coming.”

The moment the call ended, I stood up, because I was starting to lose my temper,  I grabbed my car keys and headed out of the office, I can’t even wait for the driver.

What kind of mother leaves her child waiting alone for this long?

As soon as I got into the car, I dialed Lena’s number, but it kept on ringing but she didn’t pick up, I called again, same thing. I called so many times, but she  didn’t pick it.

The driver saw me and quickly come to take over the engine, while i changed my sit.

“What kind of woman does this?” I muttered.

The driver dint say anything .

“What kind of mother leaves her child at school until this time?”

I turned my head toward the window and looked outside.

The city was already beginning to change from afternoon to evening. Parents were picking up their children, families  were heading home together and  Willy was still sitting at school waiting, I rubbed my hand over my face.

I lowered my eyes for a moment. “Theo…”

My voice was quieter now. Theo was my older brother.

Even after all these years, saying his name still brought back memories.

“I am sorry.”

I rubbed my forehead slowly. “I promised I would look after him.”

The image of my brother lying in that hospital bed flashed through my mind.

Weak and so .

Yet still worried about his wife and unborn child.

Back then, he had grabbed my hand and made me promise.

No matter what happened, no  matter how difficult things became. I would protect them, I  would never let them face the world alone, I had given him my word and now his son was sitting alone in school waiting for someone who never came.

The thought made me feel worse, the driver finally pulled into the school compound.

Before the car had completely stopped, I was already opening the door.

I walked quickly toward the administration building.

A teacher stood near the entrance. The moment she saw me, relief appeared on her face.

“Mr. Alan.”

“Where is he?” I asked immediately 

She pointed inside and I walked in immediately.

The moment Willy saw me, he jumped up from his chair.

“Dad!” The sound hit me straight in my  chest.

The next second he was already running toward me. I bent down just in time for him to throw himself into my arms.

His small arms wrapped tightly around my neck.

I held him close. For a few seconds, neither of us said anything .

I could feel how tightly he was holding me, as though he had been trying very hard not to feel scared.

I felt so guilty, I pulled back slightly and looked at him. “I’m sorry, Willy.”

His eyes blinked but didn’t say anything.

“I should have come soone, I am sorry”

Willy shook his head immediately. “It’s okay.”

No!  It wasn’t okay.

A child should never have to sit alone wondering if somebody was coming.

I brushed his hair back gently.

“This won’t happen again.”

His face brightened.“Thank you for coming for me.”

He said that so simple as a child, but I really felt it so I smiled softly.

“Come on.”

I held his hand and started walking toward the parking lot. We had barely reached the car when another vehicle stopped nearby.

The door opened and Lena stepped out.

The moment I saw her, I hardened my fave 

She was struggling to walk properly.

The smell of alcohol reached me before she even got close.

My anger returned instantly. “Lena.”

She looked up but her eyes were unfocused.

Then she smiled. “Ethan.”

Before I could react, she stumbled toward me and wrapped her arms around me.

“I love you.”

I froze, Willy immediately looked confused too 

“Lena, stop.” I said but she didn’t say anything. 

She started tearing up, maybe a fake years I don’t know.

“I have loved you for years.” She said 

My expression darkened, she  held onto my shirt.

“But you never look at me.”

I grabbed her wrists and pulled her away. “What are you doing?”

She laughed weakly. “I love you.”

“Enough.” My voice became cold.

“Do you know what time it is?”

She blinked. “W-what?”

“Your son was sitting alone at school.”

The smile disappeared from her face.

“Willy was waiting.” I continued, “He waited for hours.”

“Ethan…”

“What kind of mother does that?”

Her face turned pale but  I was too angry to stop.

“I have been calling you repeatedly.” I said sharply

No answer.

“You left your child alone while you were drinking.”  She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

I looked at her in complete disappointment.

Then I turned toward Willy. “Get in the car.”

Willy obeyed immediately and I helped him into the back seat.

When I closed the door, I looked at Lena one final time.

The disappointment I felt was really too strong even more than the anger.

Then I walked away without another word and got into the car beside Willy.

As the vehicle pulled away, I looked at the little boy beside me.

He was smiling because someone had finally come for him.

And at that moment, I silently renewed the promise I had made years ago.

No matter what happened, no matter who failed him.

I would never abandon Theo’s son.