Chapter 2 — The Woman Noah Called Mommy
Child psychologists visited the Mercer estate every week.
They never pressured Noah to speak.
Instead, they watched.
One afternoon, Dr. Elaine Brooks noticed something unusual.
Whenever Marina entered the room, Noah's breathing slowed.
His hands stopped shaking.
He made eye contact.
When Logan entered alone, the little boy still flinched.
Later that day, Logan asked the question that had haunted him.
"Why does he call her Mommy?"
Dr. Brooks answered gently.
"Because children don't choose parents based on biology."
"They choose safety."
Those words hit Logan harder than any accusation.
That evening, he found Marina preparing dinner in the staff kitchen.
"You knew," he said quietly.
She nodded.
"I knew he was frightened."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She looked at him with tired eyes.
"I tried."
"I wrote reports."
"I spoke to Mrs. Mercer."
"I even asked to meet with you."
Logan frowned.
"I never received anything."
Marina reached into an old recipe book.
Hidden inside were copies of every letter she had written.
None had ever been opened.
Vanessa had intercepted every one.
May you like
Logan closed his eyes.
The betrayal had lasted far longer than he imagined.
