Chapter 4 4

The next morning, she was at my hotel.

The concierge called, flustered. "Mr. Callahan, a Mrs. Vance is insisting..."

"Don't send her up," I said.

A few minutes later, my hotel phone rang.

"Liam, please. Just five minutes." Izzy's voice.

I sighed. "Izzy, I'm busy."

"I can help you," she said quickly. "Your business. My family has connections here. We can open doors."

The same old playbook. Her family's power.

"I don't need your family's help, Izzy. My business is doing fine."

"But Liam..."

"Goodbye, Izzy." I hung up.

Lavish gifts started arriving at my temporary office.

Flowers. Expensive scotch. A gold watch.

I had them all returned. Unopened.

She didn't get it. She still saw me as someone to be managed, bought.

She couldn't comprehend that I simply didn't want her.

A few days later, I was leaving my office building.

A figure darted towards me.

Noah.

He was a teenager now. Tall, lanky, wearing the uniform of an expensive prep school.

His face was pale, his eyes wide.

He stopped in front of me, breathing hard.

Then he did something I never expected.

He fell to his knees. On the sidewalk. In front of everyone.

"Dad!" he cried, his voice breaking. "Dad, please! You have to come home!"

People stared. I felt a flush of anger. This was a performance.

"Noah, get up," I said, my voice low.

"No! Not until you listen!" Tears streamed down his face. "Julian... he's awful to Mom. To me. We're miserable! You're the only one who can save us!"

Save them. The irony was bitter.

I looked at his tear-stained face. He was a good actor. Izzy had taught him well.

"This won't work, Noah," I said.

I stepped around him.

"Security," I said to the guard at the door. "That young man is not to be allowed near me or this building again."

I walked away, Noah's wails echoing behind me.

The past was a relentless hunter. But I was faster now. This desperate, orchestrated plea only solidified my resolve.