Chapter 4 - The Stranger Who Entered My Baby's Room
Someone had been inside my apartment while I slept.
Someone had stood beside my son's crib.
And someone had photographed him.
I couldn't breathe.
Ethan took one look at the message and immediately called Marco.
"Get the police here. Now."
Then he turned toward me.
"Norah, pack what Sam needs for the next few days."
I stared.
"What?"
"You're not staying here tonight."
"I can't just leave."
"Someone entered your home and threatened your child."
My hands trembled.
"I know."
His voice softened.
"Then let me help you."
I looked toward Sam.
He was sitting on the rug, chewing on his favorite stuffed giraffe.
He had no idea how close danger had come.
I grabbed a diaper bag.
Formula.
Baby clothes.
Medicine.
His blanket.
Then I stopped.
"My rent..."
Ethan looked confused.
"What?"
"If I leave, my landlord might think I'm abandoning the apartment."
Ethan's expression changed.
"Norah, your safety matters more than your security deposit."
I laughed bitterly.
"Easy to say when you have money."
He didn't argue.
Instead, he nodded.
"You're right."
That surprised me.
He continued.
"I've never had to choose between paying rent and keeping someone safe."
I looked away.
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize."
He helped me carry the bags downstairs.
Police officers arrived and took my statement.
They photographed the apartment, collected the threatening messages, and arranged to examine the building's security cameras.
One officer asked about Mrs. Higgins.
I explained everything.
Then Ethan's driver took us to a secure property on the outskirts of Chicago.
I expected a fortress.
Instead, we arrived at a large brick house surrounded by trees.
The windows glowed warmly.
Inside, the air smelled of fresh bread.
An older woman approached us.
She had silver hair and kind brown eyes.
"Mr. Hayes."
"Mrs. Bennett, this is Norah Davis. And this is Sam."
Her face softened immediately.
"Oh, sweetheart."
I almost cried at the gentleness in her voice.
She led us upstairs.
A beautiful bedroom waited at the end of the hallway.
There was a crib.
A changing table.
Clean blankets.
Even a basket of baby toys.
I stared.
"You prepared all this?"
Mrs. Bennett smiled.
"We had a little notice."
My throat tightened.
Nobody had prepared anything for Sam since the day he was born.
I looked toward Ethan.
"I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything."
He placed our bags beside the door.
Then hesitated.
"Norah, there's something you should know."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"This house belonged to my mother."
I looked around.
"It's beautiful."
"Daniel and I grew up here."
I glanced toward him.
He looked strangely sad.
"Why don't you live here?"
"Too many memories."
I swallowed.
Then Sam began fussing.
I lifted him.
Ethan watched quietly.
After a moment, he said, "My mother used to sing to Daniel when he couldn't sleep."
I smiled faintly.
"What song?"
He hesitated.
Then began humming a soft melody.
Sam stopped crying.
He looked toward Ethan.
Then smiled.
My heart tightened.
"Daniel used to sing that."
Ethan's expression changed.
"He did?"
I nodded.
"Whenever Sam was restless."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Ethan whispered, "He remembered."
His voice sounded broken.
I wanted to ask what he meant.
But before I could, Marco appeared at the bedroom door.
"Boss."
Ethan turned.
"What?"
"We found the person who accessed Norah's apartment."
My stomach dropped.
"Who?"
Marco hesitated.
"Mrs. Higgins let him in."
I gripped Sam.
"Who was he?"
Marco looked toward Ethan.
Then answered.
"Daniel Hayes."
I stared.
My child's father had entered my apartment.
Watched his son sleep.
And left without speaking to me.
I looked at Ethan.
"Why would he do that?"
Before Ethan could respond, Marco added one final detail.
"Daniel left something behind."
He held up a small envelope.
My name was written across the front.
Inside was a note.
Norah, I never abandoned you.
May you like
And beneath it were four terrifying words.
My brother knows why.
