Chapter 8: The Man Who Called Himself Noah's Father
I didn't remember driving to Noah's school.
I remembered grabbing my keys.
I remembered Daniel following me.
And I remembered calling the school office three times before someone finally answered.
"This is Marcus Reed. I need to speak with the principal immediately.""
The receptionist recognized my voice.
"Mr. Reed, is everything okay?""
"No. I need you to confirm that my son is still on campus.""
"One moment.""
The silence lasted less than thirty seconds.
It felt like thirty years.
Finally, the principal came on the line.
"Mr. Reed?""
"Where is Noah?""
"He's in his classroom.""
"Has anyone attempted to pick him up?""
"No.""
"Has anyone called asking about him?""
There was a pause.
"Actually, a gentleman called earlier.""
My stomach tightened.
"What gentleman?""
"He introduced himself as a family friend. He asked whether Noah was still enrolled and whether he could visit.""
"Did you give him any information?""
"No. We require written authorization from parents.""
"What's his name?""
"Richard Cole.""
I closed my eyes.
"Please listen carefully. Nobody is authorized to collect my son except me or the people already listed in his school records. If anyone arrives claiming otherwise, call the police.""
"Of course.""
"And please don't let him meet Noah.""
"I understand.""
I ended the call.
Daniel looked at me.
"We need to get there.""
We arrived twelve minutes later.
The principal, Mrs. Henderson, was waiting near the entrance.
She was a middle-aged woman with glasses and a calm voice.
But when she saw my expression, she immediately understood something was wrong.
"Mr. Reed, Noah is safe.""
I exhaled.
"Thank you.""
She led us into her office.
"I want to show you something.""
She opened a visitor log.
A man's name was written on the third line.
Richard Cole.
Beside it was a note.
*Requested meeting with Noah Reed. Claimed biological relationship.*
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Did he come inside?""
"No. Our receptionist asked for identification and parental authorization. He became upset.""
"What did he say?""
Mrs. Henderson looked uncomfortable.
"He said he was the child's father and that the school was preventing him from seeing his own son.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Did anyone tell him where Noah's classroom was?""
"No.""
"Good.""
Mrs. Henderson closed the log.
"Mr. Reed, I understand this is a personal matter, but we need documentation if there's a custody dispute.""
"I'll provide everything through our attorney.""
She nodded.
Then she looked at me.
"May I ask something?""
"Of course.""
"Does Noah know this man?""
I shook my head.
"Not as far as I know.""
"Then please don't allow an adult to approach him without preparation. Children can become frightened when strangers suddenly claim family relationships.""
I looked toward the hallway.
Through the glass, I could see children walking in pairs.
One of them wore a blue backpack with a dinosaur on it.
Noah's backpack.
My throat tightened.
"Thank you," I said.
I asked to see him.
A few minutes later, Noah ran into the office.
"Daddy!""
I crouched and hugged him.
He smelled like crayons and strawberry shampoo.
"Hey, buddy.""
"Why are you here?""
"Just wanted to see you.""
He looked at Daniel.
"Uncle Danny!""
Daniel smiled.
"What's up, champ?""
Noah turned back to me.
"Are we going home?""
"Yes.""
He hesitated.
"Is Grandma coming?""
"Of course.""
Then he asked something that made my heart break.
"Is Mommy coming too?""
I looked at him.
I couldn't tell him the truth.
Not yet.
"We'll talk about that at home.""
He nodded.
As we walked toward the parking lot, a black SUV pulled into the school entrance.
I recognized the driver immediately.
Richard.
He stepped out wearing a navy suit and expensive sunglasses.
He looked older than the photograph in my father's notebook.
But his face was unmistakable.
"Marcus!""
I moved Noah behind me.
Richard removed his sunglasses.
"Good to see you.""
I didn't answer.
He looked over my shoulder.
"There's my boy.""
Noah gripped my jacket.
"Who is that?""
I felt my stomach twist.
"Stay beside Uncle Daniel.""
Richard took a step forward.
I raised my hand.
"Don't come closer.""
He stopped.
"Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble.""
"Then leave.""
He smiled.
"I came to see my son.""
Noah looked up at me.
"Your son?""
I crouched.
"Go with Uncle Daniel. Wait by the front office.""
Daniel immediately took his hand.
Richard watched them walk away.
Then he turned to me.
"You've done a good job raising him.""
I stepped closer.
"Don't talk about him.""
"Why? Because it hurts?""
"Because you don't get to walk into his life after seven years and call yourself his father.""
Richard smiled.
"Biology is a funny thing, Marcus.""
I felt my fists tighten.
"Keep your voice down.""
He leaned closer.
"Your father understood that. He knew Noah belonged to me.""
"Noah belongs to nobody.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"He's my biological son.""
"That doesn't give you the right to frighten him.""
"I have rights.""
"Then let a court decide them.""
He adjusted his jacket.
"Gladly.""
I stared at him.
"What do you want?""
"The property documents.""
"No.""
"Then we have a problem.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You've already forged my signature, attempted to take my mother's house, and approached my son's school. I think we have several problems.""
His eyes narrowed.
"Careful.""
"Is that a threat?""
"It's advice.""
I pulled out my phone.
"Say another word and I'll call the police.""
Richard looked toward the school.
Then he lowered his voice.
"Your father made a deal with me.""
"What deal?""
"He promised that if anything happened to him, I would receive a share of the development proceeds.""
"There's no such agreement.""
"Because you haven't seen all the documents.""
I stared at him.
He continued.
"Your father used my money to acquire the neighboring parcel. He put the title in his wife's name to avoid creditors. I have proof.""
"Then take it to court.""
Richard smiled.
"I will. But first, I want the original deed.""
"You'll never get it.""
He stepped closer.
"Your father wasn't as innocent as you believe.""
I felt a chill.
"Don't use him.""
Richard reached into his jacket and removed a folded photograph.
He held it out.
I didn't take it.
"Look.""
The photograph showed my father sitting in a hospital room.
Claire stood beside him.
And Richard was sitting in the chair opposite the bed.
The date printed on the photograph was three weeks before my father died.
I stared.
"What is this?""
"Your father called me.""
I shook my head.
"Why?""
"Because he knew he was dying. He wanted to settle everything.""
"That's a lie.""
Richard shrugged.
"Believe whatever makes you comfortable.""
He slid the photograph into my jacket pocket.
Then he looked toward the school entrance.
"Tell Noah I'll come back.""
I grabbed his arm.
He immediately pulled away.
"Don't touch me.""
"Don't come near my son again.""
Richard adjusted his sleeve.
"That decision isn't entirely yours.""
Then he got into his SUV and drove away.
I stood there, watching the vehicle disappear.
Daniel returned with Noah.
"Did he threaten you?""
I nodded.
"He's going to court.""
Daniel looked toward the road.
"Then we'll be ready.""
On the drive home, Noah sat quietly in the back seat.
After several minutes, he spoke.
"Daddy?""
"Yes, buddy?""
"Is that man my real dad?""
My hands tightened around the steering wheel.
Daniel turned toward the back.
Noah continued.
"Mommy told me something once.""
I glanced at him in the mirror.
"What did she tell you?""
He looked down at his hands.
"She said sometimes people have secrets because they're afraid of losing the people they love.""
I swallowed.
"What else?""
Noah's voice became smaller.
"She said if a man ever came looking for me, I should remember that you were the one who stayed.""
My eyes burned.
I pulled the car to the side of the road.
Then I turned around.
"Listen to me, Noah.""
He looked up.
"I don't care what anybody says about biology. I don't care what anybody calls themselves. I am your daddy, and I love you. That will never change.""
His eyes filled.
"Even if that man is my real father?""
I reached back and held his hand.
"Especially then.""
Noah began crying.
Daniel looked out the window.
And I sat there, holding my son's hand, realizing that my father's final gift had been something much more important than money.
He had left Noah a family.
But when we arrived home, there was a police cruiser in the driveway.
My mother was standing on the porch.
Claire was beside her.
And a uniformed officer was holding a document.
I stepped out.
"What's happened?""
The officer looked at me.
"Mr. Reed, your wife has reported that you removed a child from the family residence without her consent.""
I stared at Claire.
She wouldn't meet my eyes.
May you like
Then the officer continued.
"And she has requested an emergency custody intervention.""
