Sneaking Out.

Gracelyn barely had one foot inside the house before Salome came rushing toward her, with a phone clutched tightly in her hand like it held breaking news of the world ending.

“Grace!” she called, breathless, and her eyes wide with excitement. “Have you seen it? The news…your video, it’s everywhere!”

Gracelyn paused, slowly slipping off her heels. “What video?”

Salome’s jaw dropped. “The one with the journalist! Your response! People are reposting it everywhere. They’re calling you bold, fearless, some are even saying you humbled him.”

A faint smile curved Gracelyn’s lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

It was not something to be excited about. She was stating facts, and they were true.

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Even celebrities are commenting. Someone said you’re the only woman who’s ever spoken to him like that and walked away with dignity intact.”

Gracelyn chuckled softly, brushing past her. “People always exaggerate. It was just a conversation. He asked a question out of sheer curiosity.”

Salome blinked, stunned by her calmness. “Just a conversation? Gracelyn, you’re trending!”

Gracelyn waved a dismissive hand as she walked toward the staircase. “Let them trend it. It will pass.”

She climbed the stairs quietly and pushed open Nathan’s door.

The room was dim, curtains half-drawn. Nathan lay sprawled on the bed, one arm hugging his pillow, his breathing slow and steady. His face looked so peaceful, so innocent. It made her soften.

Gracelyn leaned against the doorframe, watching him for a moment longer than necessary, as if he will disappear if she even blinked her eyes.

She stepped in carefully, brushing a stray curl away from his forehead. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

Good.

She didn’t want to disturb him.

Not when sleep was one of the few places he looked completely free.

Closing the door gently behind her, she headed to her room.

The warm water cascaded over her body, but it didn’t wash away the heaviness sitting deep in her chest.

Her mind replayed certain moments that she thought she had buried deep inside.

But she knew that as long as she was in this city, Manhattan, she would never forget what they did to her.

Rex.

Ellen.

Her parents.

Her innocent baby.

She turned off the shower abruptly, gripping the edge of the sink as she stared at her reflection.

“Focus,” she muttered. “You’re not weak.”

She got dressed quickly and moved to her desk, opening her laptop.

Emails flooded the screen, notifications blinking relentlessly.

She skimmed through them absentmindedly…business updates, meeting requests, media inquiries, but one caught her eye.

Marked: Important.

Her fingers hesitated for a second before clicking it open.

Her expression changed almost immediately.

It was sent to her doctor email.

A formal request to schedule an appointment for Rex’s son’s speech therapy.

Her breath hitched.

“His son…”

The words felt heavy to pronounce.

Her chest tightened painfully as a face she had never seen formed in her mind.

The child he had with Ellen.

Her jaw clenched.

For a moment, something dark flickered in her eyes.

She wanted to hurt them.

To make them feel even a tiny bit of what she had endured.

But then…

She exhaled sharply.

“A child has nothing to do with this.”

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

She wanted to reply, but it would feel a bit sudden.

Her profile was low, and she knew he must have looked into her before reaching out.

Instead, she closed the email and leaned back in her chair.

Silence filled the room, but her thoughts were anything but quiet.

Her mind wandered to how she would be treating her sister’s son.

She dialed a number.

He picked it up almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for his call.

“Hello, Professor,” she greeted.

On the other end, a deep, familiar voice responded, warm yet authoritative. “Gracelyn. I was just about to call you.”

“I need to see you,” she said without wasting time.

“Urgent?”

“Yes.”

“I just arrived in Manhattan,” he replied. “We can meet. Tomorrow morning?”

“That works.”

“Same café.”

“I’ll be there.”

The call ended.

Gracelyn sat still for a moment, her gaze distant.

Tomorrow would change something.

She could feel it.

It would determine whether or not to take on the appointment.

***

The next morning arrived too soon.

Gracelyn dressed simply but elegantly, her aura commanding as always.

He was already there when she arrived.

Her professor.

A man whose presence carried both authority and calm.

He was in his late 60’s, grey hair was evident on his head.

“Gracelyn,” he greeted with a slight smile.

“Professor.”

They exchanged brief pleasantries before she sat down.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” she said.

He nodded, signaling her to continue.

“Rex wants me to handle his son’s speech therapy.”

The man leaned back slightly, studying her.

“And?”

She frowned. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m not.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the best.”

Her expression didn’t change.

“But that’s not the problem, is it?” he added.

She exhaled slowly. “If I take this case… I risk exposure.”

A brief silence followed.

Then he smiled.

“I’ll handle it.”

She blinked in surprise. “Handle it how?”

“That’s not something you need to worry about.”

Her brows furrowed slightly. “I don’t like uncertainties.”

“And yet, you’ve survived them,” he replied calmly.

She looked at him, waiting to hear more.

“Trust me.”

That was all he said.

After a moment, she nodded.

“Alright, Professor.”

By the time she got to the office, the day had already gone by.

It was around 11 AM when she got to the office.

The elevator doors slid open.

And there he was.

Rex.

Standing right outside. Like he was waiting for her.

Her steps didn’t falter, but her expression hardened instantly.

He noticed. Of course he did.

“Why are you just coming in at this time?” he asked, his tone calm but probing.

Gracelyn stopped, tilting her head slightly.

“Oh? I didn’t know my absence would stop the company from functioning.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“That’s not what I meant.”

She crossed her arms. “I have minimal work here. I’d rather stay at home than be in the same space with you.”

The words were sharp, landing hard on him like a blow.

Rex frowned. “Why are you being cold to me?”

Gracelyn smiled.

“I value professionalism,” she said. “You should too. Don’t think of crossing any lines.”

“I’m busy,” she added. “If you will excuse me.”

She walked past him without waiting for a response.

Rex stood there, watching her go.

***

Meanwhile…

Nathan crouched near the backyard fence, his small hands brushing against the rough edges of the hidden opening.

The hole.

He had discovered it days ago.

And today…

He was finally using it.

He glanced back toward the house.

Everything was quiet.

Salome had dozed off in the living room.

Perfect time for his execution.

Carefully, he slipped through the hole, landing softly on the other side.

Nicole’s house.

His heart raced, not from fear, but excitement.

Inside, Nicole was already in position.

He had done his part.

The housekeeper had been successfully distracted.

The entrance was clear.

Nathan wasted no time.

He slipped inside and made his way straight to Nicole’s room.

The moment he entered, Nicole smiled.

He grinned. “I made it.”

They hugged tightly, Nathan giggling in his little achievement.

Nicole quickly dragged him over, signaling him to come and sit down.

He pulled out a small contraption, and signaled to him that it was all done by him.

Nathan’s eyes widened. “That’s so cool!”

They sat on the floor, completely immersed.

Nicole showed him his inventions, while Nathan showed him his martial arts videos.

They laughed and played. For a minute, they forgot about the world.

For a moment, they were just normal kids.

Not children tied to complicated adults and broken relationships.

Just… kids.

Then, he heard the beep sound.

Nathan froze.

It came from his watch.

It was time.

His expression changed instantly.

“I have to go,” he said.

Nicole frowned.

He nodded. “My aunt will wake up soon… and my mom—”

He paused, dreading the thought of his mother finding out.

“If she finds out, she’ll be really mad.”

Nicole’s expression softened.

Nathan smiled slightly.

“But don’t worry,” he said. “I promised I’ll fix everything.”

He tilted his head, giving an inquisitive look.

“Our parents.”

His eyes widened slightly.

He nodded firmly. “I’ll make them happy again.”

Then he smiled, thinking of how he would finally have someone to call mommy.

Nathan moved toward the door, checking carefully.

The coast seemed clear.

He slipped out quietly.

But just as he reached the hallway, he heard a sound.

The housekeeper.

She was coming.

Nathan’s heart slammed against his chest.

“Who’s there?” she called.

He ran as fast as he could.

The housekeeper turned just in time to see a small figure darting past.

“Hey!”

She rushed after him.

Nathan ducked behind a large flower vase, pressing himself against the wall.

Footsteps approached, getting closer and closer to him.

His breathing became uneven.

The housekeeper stepped forward, her eyes scanning the area.

Then, she heard another sound.

Crash!

A loud noise echoed from Nicole’s room.

The housekeeper spun around.

“What was that?”

She rushed back in, not bothering to check what was out there.

Nathan didn’t wait.

He bolted straight for the exit through the hole.

Finally, he was back home. Safe.

Inside his room, Nicole stood beside the fallen object, unharmed.

The housekeeper nearly lost it. She checked to make sure he was fine, before cleaning up the mess.

Nathan got home in time to see Salome stretch on the couch, slowly waking up.

“That was close,” he whispered.