Chapter 6 Who Could This Child Be

Archer's gaze followed the path Colton had taken, causing Kiera's heart to flutter with anxiety.

"Why do you, just a little boy, care if a man is good-looking? Let's get going."

Kiera stooped to lift Archer into her arms.

When Archer noticed Kiera's reluctance to continue any conversation about Colton, sadness flickered in his eyes.

Wrapping his arms around her neck, he murmured affectionately, "I'm just looking for a good match for Mommy."

"You little rascal, don't meddle in grown-up issues. I'm getting Charlee to sign you up for kindergarten. You'll begin school, and with Charlee keeping an eye on you, I'll feel more at ease."

As Kiera carried Archer outside, her hands shook ever so slightly.

Why had Archer suddenly taken notice of Colton's looks?

Even though there was a notable resemblance, Archer's quick notice of Colton unsettled her.

This boy was her son, born of her struggle and sacrifice, and he was utterly unrelated to Colton!

She was resolute that Colton would never take her son from her.

Resolve marked Kiera's expression, yet she was oblivious to the worried and pained look that clouded Archer's face.

Even at his young age, Archer was cognizant of each instance where his mother suffered nightmares. While he was kept in the dark about the specifics of Colton's past actions, as Kiera never disclosed them, he feigned ignorance of his relationship with Colton. Still, he harbored his own intentions to right the wrongs done to her.

Kiera and Archer, each wrapped in their own contemplations, departed from the airport.

Kiera hailed a taxi and directed it towards Charlee's apartment.

Despite the passage of five years, Charlee's address remained unchanged, and the key was still hidden in the familiar spot.

Kiera retrieved the key effortlessly, unlocked the door, and guided Archer into the apartment.

The apartment boasted three bedrooms; it wasn't particularly spacious, but it was inviting.

Archer looked around and asked gently, "Mommy, which one is your room?"

"That one, the second on the right. I stayed there before," Kiera answered, her face lighting up with a gentle smile.

Kiera and Charlee, close friends since their college days, shared a deep bond. This apartment had often served as Kiera's sanctuary from the harshness of her stepmother, making it the real home to her.

Archer pulled his suitcase into Kiera's room, decorated with photos of a younger Kiera, which Archer did not recognize. Kiera had changed significantly since those days. When she looked at these old photos, her eyes filled with tears.

The young face in these images, though less polished than her current appearance, beamed with the vibrancy and spirit of youth-a version of herself that would never return.

Kiera tenderly brushed her fingers over the old photographs, each stirring a wave of melancholy within her.

Watching her, Archer inquired with innocent curiosity, "Mommy, who is that in the photos? Is that Charlee?"

"No, those are pictures of me from a long time ago," Kiera said, her voice slightly trembling as she fought back her emotions.

Kiera tried to hide her sadness, but Archer, sensitive to her feelings, easily picked up on her emotional state.

He quickly grabbed Kiera's hand, diverting her attention. "Mommy, I'm really hungry. Could you find something for us to eat in the kitchen? I'm super hungry!"

This interruption helped Kiera step away from her sorrow.

Remembering Archer hadn't eaten much on their flight, Kiera took off her coat and rolled up her sleeves. "Okay, I'll make something for you. Just hang out here for a little while, and please don't make a mess in Charlee's room, okay?"

"Got it, got it," Archer answered, slightly sulking as he closed the door behind her.

Archer stared at the youthful images of Kiera on the wall, swiftly capturing one with his phone. He then turned on the computer in the room.

He uploaded the image and quickly accessed information about Kiera, discovering details of her marriage to Colton and reports of her presumed death in a fire five years ago, allegedly while dating a lover.

A frown creased Archer's brow.

A lover? That didn't make sense.

From the moment he could remember, he knew that his mother's heart harbored feelings for only one man, Colton. Although she never discussed it, the resentment she held was unmistakable to him.

Colton must have committed some inexcusable acts against her.

Archer delved deeply into researching Colton.

Having overheard his mother call Colton's name during her troubled sleep, Archer had already gathered extensive information on his background, influence, and current marital situation.

Then, Archer stumbled upon a photo showing Colton with a young boy.

The child, appearing around his own age, had features remarkably similar to Colton's, who looked at him with affection.

Who could this child be?

With a furrowed brow, Archer intensified his search.

He soon learned that the boy was Breck Sutton, the youngest member of the Sutton family, aged four years and ten months. It irked Archer to realize that Breck was four months older than him!