Noah smiled innocently. I bought him ice cream and asked about his studies.

He said:

“My mom often works extra hours at night, but she loves me very much.”

My heart sank.

That evening, I called Sophie.
Her number was the same.

When I said, “I’m Ethan,” there was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.

“Are you… back?”
“Yeah. Can we meet?”