Chapter 2: He Isn't Afraid of Strangers
The hallway went completely still.
The boy pressed his face into the maid's shoulder and wouldn't look up.
The man stepped closer, his eyes fixed on his wife.
His voice was low and controlled, which somehow made it worse.
Man: I came home early.
I stood at the top of those stairs for ten minutes.
Woman: Darling, whatever you think you saw—
Man: I saw you grab his arm.
I heard him crying before I even opened the door.
Woman: Children cry.
That means nothing.
Man: He was begging you to stop.
The woman's expression shifted.
The softness disappeared.
Woman: You're going to take a servant's word over mine?
In my own house?
Man: I'm not taking anyone's word.
I have eyes.
The maid held the boy tighter.
His small hands were still shaking.
Man: How long has this been going on?
The maid looked up slowly.
There was something in her face — not just fear, but a decision being made.
Maid: Sir…
this isn't the first time.
And there's something else you need to know.
Something about the boy.
The woman's face went white.
Woman: Don't you dare—
Maid: He isn't afraid of strangers, sir.
He's only ever afraid of her.
The man turned and looked at his son for a long moment.
The boy still wouldn't look at his mother.
May you like
What the maid revealed next stopped the man cold — and exposed a secret that had been hidden for years.
Click the link below to read the full story.
