CHAPTER 6 — The Mansion With Locked Doors
CHAPTER 6 — The Mansion With Locked Doors
For nearly two weeks, Grant kept his promise.
Every evening he came home before sunset.
Some nights they ordered pizza.
Some nights they played checkers.
Sometimes they simply talked.
At first the conversations lasted only minutes.
Then half an hour.
Soon they stretched until bedtime.
Employees throughout Whitlock Mansion began whispering.
Mr. Whitlock was smiling.
The house no longer felt like a museum.
It sounded like a home.
Mrs. Alvarez noticed the biggest change.
One afternoon she entered the library to dust the shelves.
Grant and Noah were building a model airplane on the carpet.
Instructions lay ignored.
Tiny plastic pieces were everywhere.
Grant looked up.
"I think we attached the wings backward."
Noah examined the plane.
"I think it's a helicopter now."
Both burst into laughter.
Mrs. Alvarez quietly left the room.
She closed the door before either of them saw her crying.
She had worked for the Whitlocks for sixteen years.
She had never imagined hearing joy inside those walls.
But happiness has a way of attracting those who fear losing power.
Victoria returned home unexpectedly.
She walked into the library just as Noah proudly showed Grant the finished model.
"What is this mess?"
The room fell silent.
Grant stood.
"We're building together."
"I can see that."
Her eyes swept across the scattered pieces.
"The library isn't a playroom."
Noah immediately began gathering the parts.
"I'm sorry."
Grant gently stopped him.
"No."
Victoria looked at her husband.
"Excuse me?"
"Leave it."
"No."
Grant's voice remained calm.
"The pieces stay."
Victoria stared.
"You've changed."
"Yes."
"And because of one afternoon with a stranger?"
"No."
Grant looked toward Noah.
"Because of eight years I can never get back."
Victoria's face hardened.
"You think pretending to be a father fixes everything?"
"I think starting today is better than waiting until tomorrow."
She laughed bitterly.
"You're becoming sentimental."
"No."
Grant answered quietly.
"I'm becoming present."
Victoria turned without another word.
But as she reached the doorway, she stopped.
"By the way..."
She looked over her shoulder.
"I've already contacted my attorneys."
Grant's expression didn't change.
"Our marriage has existed on paper for years."
She smiled coldly.
"The divorce isn't the interesting part."
Grant frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Victoria's next sentence struck like lightning.
"I'm requesting full custody of Noah."
The room went completely still.
Noah's hand slowly slipped from his father's.
Grant felt his heart stop.
"On what grounds?"
Victoria met his eyes without hesitation.
"Neglect."
She walked away, her heels echoing through the marble hallway.
Every step sounded like a countdown.
Grant stood frozen.
Because the cruelest part was this—
If the court looked at the last eight years instead of the last two weeks...
Victoria might actually win.
And upstairs, hidden behind his bedroom door, Noah quietly slid down against the wall, hugging his knees as tears filled his eyes.
May you like
He had just found his father.
Now someone was threatening to take him away again.
