Chapter 7 - The IslandNoah took us to his private island. To protect us.
Leo was still adjusting. He called me "Mommy" now, but there was hesitation there. A wariness. Like he was waiting for me to disappear.
I couldn't blame him. He'd been lied to his entire life.
The first night, he woke up screaming.
"The monster!" he sobbed. "The monster locked me in the basement!"
I held him tight. "I'm here, baby. I'm here. No one's going to lock you anywhere."
He cried for hours.
So did I.
The next morning, Noah found us on the beach. Leo was building a sandcastle, his small face concentrated.
"He's a good kid," Noah said, sitting down next to me.
"He is," I agreed.
"I want to be his father," Noah said. "For real. I know I missed four years. But I want to be there for him. For you."
I looked at him. There was something genuine in his eyes.
"I don't know if I can trust you," I said.
May you like
"Then let me prove myself," he said. "Give me time."
I nodded. "Time. That's all I can give you."
