Chapter 4

The day Wilson went to school for the Dad and Me Class activity, Tammy never went into the classroom.

She sat at the end of the hallway holding the repaired kite.

When the teacher called me, Tammy kept repeating the same thing.

"Dad isn't my dad today."

When I reached the kindergarten, Vivian was using her phone to take pictures of Wilson and Leonard. The three of them stood in front of the project they had made together. Wilson lowered his head and patiently straightened Leonard's collar.

Still, Tammy ran over when she saw him. "Dad!"

Wilson turned with a slight frown. "Why haven't you gone inside yet?"

"The teacher told me to find my dad first," Tammy said as she held out the kite. "Can you just hold it steady for me? It won't take long."

Leonard immediately wrapped his arms around Wilson's leg. "No, he's mine today!"

Vivian scolded him gently. "Leonard, don't say that. Wilson is Tammy's dad."

Leonard pouted. "But last night, you said that Daddy Wilson would always stay with us if I behave."

Vivian's expression became awkward immediately. "He's just making things up."

I looked at Wilson. "You hear that, right?"

Wilson avoided seeing my eyes. "Vivian was just trying to comfort Leonard. Don't fixate on that thing she said."

Tammy held the kite a little farther out. "Dad, just one minute."

Wilson finally took the kite.

Tammy's eyes had just begun to light up when Leonard suddenly yanked the kite's tail. "That's mine!"

The kite instantly ripped down the middle.

This time, Tammy did not cry. Instead, she crouched down and picked up the torn pieces one by one.

Vivian grabbed hold of Leonard. "Apologize right now."

However, Leonard pulled free and ran toward the equipment room beside the stairs, still holding the kite with him. "I'm not giving it to her! I'll hide it!"

Tammy ran after him.

A few minutes later, the Dad and Me Class session began.

Tammy had not returned, so I immediately rushed out of the classroom. "Tammy?!"

No one answered.

In the end, the teacher had to pull up the security footage from the hallway.

The footage showed Leonard shoving Tammy into the equipment room, reaching back to slide the bolt shut, and wedging a small chair against the door.

Vivian covered her mouth. "Leonard was only messing around. He didn't know he shouldn't lock someone in there."

I turned and wanted to run toward the equipment room, but Wilson stepped in front of the security monitor. "Keep this quiet for now."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Tammy is locked in there!"

"I know." He lowered his voice. "Vivian's fighting her ex-husband for custody. If this footage gets out, he'll say she can't raise her son properly. She could lose Leonard."

My nails dug into my palms as I asked, "And?"

"The equipment room is on this floor. Tammy is going to be fine. Get the teacher to delete the footage first. When we find her, I'll make Leonard apologize."

Vivian grabbed hold of me, sobbing. "Nora, I'm begging you! Leonard's all I have left! I can't lose him!"

I shook her off.

When the teacher finally brought the key, they found out that the lock was broken.

There were piles of old curtains from school events inside and the windows were sealed shut. Not to mention Tammy had mild asthma. I pounded on the door and shouted her name.

Finally, a faint cough came from inside. "Mom... I can't breathe..."

I could feel chills down my spine.

Just then, the principal hurried over with a tablet. "I've already backed up the footage. I'm calling the police now."

As soon as she pulled up the video, Wilson snatched the tablet from her in the confusion. "Wait. We still don't know exactly what happened."

As he spoke, he quickly brought up the files and tapped delete.

The principal's expression changed the moment she saw the screen. "You deleted the footage?!"

I whipped around.

Wilson's hand was still hovering beside the delete button.

He looked at me and explained quietly, "I just wanted to protect Vivian's son first."

There was a muffled thud as something heavy fell behind the door. I immediately yanked the emergency hammer off the wall and swung it at the lock.