Chapter 2: The Lie That Stole Three Years Rain poured from the gray Boston sky as Maxwell stood frozen outside the aging apartment building. Cars splashed through puddles. Neither of them moved. Finally, Eleanor broke the silence. "Because someone made sure you would never know." Maxwell frowned. "What do you mean?" She looked down at the sleeping Sophie in her arms before speaking carefully. "The day I found out I was pregnant, I tried to call you." "I called your office." "I emailed you." "I even came to Callahan Global." "You never answered." Maxwell's heartbeat quickened. "I never received anything." "I know," Eleanor whispered. "Because your father did." A chill ran through him. His father. Charles Callahan. The man who had taught him that emotions were weaknesses and business always came first. Eleanor continued. "He told me you had already moved on." "He said you agreed the divorce was the best thing for everyone." "He offered me money." "I refused." Maxwell's face turned pale. "My father met you?" "Twice." "He said if I truly loved you, I'd disappear forever." "He promised you would become one of the most powerful businessmen in America." "And a child would only destroy everything." Maxwell felt sick. For years, he believed Eleanor had abandoned him. For years, Eleanor believed he had abandoned her. Neither of them had known they were both victims of the same lie. Slowly, Maxwell pulled out his phone. He called his executive assistant. "Rachel." "Yes, Mr. Callahan." "I want every archived email, visitor log, security recording, and legal document from the month Eleanor left." "Everything." "And don't tell my father." Rachel hesitated. "...Understood." Maxwell looked back at Eleanor. "I'm going to find out exactly what happened." For the first time in years... She believed him.

2 chapters