Chapter 4: The Name That Returned From the Grave

Lauren’s knees nearly gave out.

Ethan took one slow step forward, his face losing every trace of color.

“Noah…” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “What did you call her?”

The child frowned as if the question made no sense.

“Mommy.”

The room stopped breathing.

Every eye turned toward Lauren.

She lowered her head, but it was too late.

Ethan’s eyes locked onto her face.

A face he had mourned.

A face he thought he had buried two years ago.

His lips parted, but for a moment no sound came out.

Then the name escaped him like a prayer and a wound at the same time.

“Clara…?”

Lauren closed her eyes.

The name hit the room harder than a scream.

Vanessa turned sharply toward him.

“Ethan, stop.”

But he did not even hear her… Continue Reading ⬇️