The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 101

Ethan tiptoed into his mom’s bedroom, careful not to make a sound while she was in the shower. He picked up her phone with practiced stealth, scrolling through every message and call log with hawk-eyed attention, determined not to miss a single clue.

Meanwhile, Aiden prowled around the kitchen, his big round eyes darting over every nook and cranny. He kept a watchful eye on the chef, just in case he was up to something sneaky.

Evan, on the other hand, had made a beeline for the staff quarters. He found Louis, the driver who’d taken their mom out earlier, and wasted no time launching into his interrogation. “Louis, tell me everywhere Mom went today and everyone she met. I want the truth. All of it.”

Louis blinked in surprise at the little guy who barely reached his thigh, momentarily thrown by Evan’s commanding tone. For such a tiny kid, he sure had a big presence.

Before long, the four kids regrouped in their room.

Aiden closed the door behind him and said in a rush, “I found out something huge! The chef snacks on our food every time he cooks. He even sneaks our treats back to his room.”

Noah frowned. “That’s definitely a big deal, but it’s not the main issue right now. Ethan, Evan, what did you guys find?”

Ethan held out his hand. Scrawled across his palm was a string of numbers. “I found this on Mom’s phone. She called this number right before she came home.”

Evan chimed in, “Louis said Mom went to the hospital today, met with Uncle William and her friend, then stopped by our stepdad’s old house.”

He continued, “Louis also said that after Mom left there, she seemed upset. Turns out, our great-grandparents pressured her to have another baby, and when she refused, Grandma yelled at her.”

Noah thought for a moment. “Looks like the problem started at the old house. Ethan, read me that number again.”

Ethan nodded, reciting the number from his palm for Noah.

Evan shrugged, “Why is that weird? Obviously, he doesn’t like Mom. Or us.”

Aiden looked puzzled. “But why doesn’t he like us?”

Evan, the optimist, answered honestly, “Because we’re not his real kids.”

Aiden’s shoulders drooped, disappointment clouding his eyes. Ever since he was little, Aiden had dreamed of having a dad—someone who’d pick him up and hold him tight. When he found out Mom had remarried, he’d been so excited, certain he’d finally have a dad like other kids.

But their stepdad didn’t want anything to do with them.

Noah noticed Aiden’s gloom and gently patted his shoulder. “Hey, don’t be sad. Maybe stepdad has his own reasons for not coming home. Maybe he doesn’t dislike us—maybe he’s just really busy with work and doesn’t have time to be here.”