Chapter 8 - The Confrontation
The moment Celeste’s heels faded down the corridor, Maya turned back to the opening behind the painting.
"Noah," she whispered urgently. "I'm going to get you out right now."
She reached her arms through the narrow gap, wrapping her hands around Noah’s waist. The boy was shockingly light, his small frame trembling as she pulled him through the broken wooden frame.
He collapsed into her arms on the hallway floor, clutching her apron with frantic strength.
"I've got you," Maya sobbed softly, lifting him into her arms. "I've got you, Noah."
She stood up, holding the child tightly against her chest, and turned toward the main corridor.
Standing at the end of the hallway was Jonathan Hawthorne.
His tuxedo was immaculate, his hair combed neatly back. But his eyes were wide with utter confusion as he looked at the servant holding his missing son.
"Maya?" Jonathan stammered, taking a step forward. "What... what is this? Where did you find him?"
"He was inside the wall, Mr. Hawthorne!" Maya yelled, her voice echoing down the corridor. "Your wife locked your son inside a hidden concrete room behind a painting!"
Jonathan’s face paled. "That's impossible... Celeste said he was in Vermont! She showed me the facility progress reports!"
"She lied to you!" Maya shouted, stepping closer so he could see Noah’s hollow cheeks and bruised skin. "Look at your son, Jonathan! Look at what she's been doing to him!"
Jonathan stared at Noah.
For two years, Jonathan had immersed himself in his corporate empire to escape the suffocating grief of losing his first wife. He had handed full control of his household and his son over to Celeste, believing her poised, charitable persona was genuine.
He reached out a trembling hand toward Noah. "Noah... buddy?"
Noah shrank back into Maya’s shoulder, turning his face away from his father.
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"You let her put me in the dark," Noah whimpered softly.
Jonathan looked as if he had been struck by lightning. He staggered back a step, his chest heaving as the crushing reality of his negligence crashed down upon him.
