Chapter 3 – Hidden in Plain Sight
Logan excused himself from a circle of investors before anyone could stop him.
"I'll be right back."
Vanessa caught his wrist.
"You're leaving your own engagement party?"
"My son comes first."
Her smile faltered.
"Logan—"
He gently removed her hand.
"I said I'll be back."
Without waiting for another word, he picked Noah up and headed toward the service corridor.
The sounds of the ballroom faded behind heavy double doors.
The kitchen buzzed with organized chaos.
Chefs shouted orders.
Steam rose from copper pots.
Servers hurried between stations.
Logan scanned every face.
Nothing.
No sign of the young waitress.
A middle-aged chef looked up.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"I'm looking for one of your servers."
"Which one?"
"The woman with dark hair."
The chef frowned.
"We have eight."
Before Logan could answer, Noah suddenly stretched both arms toward a narrow hallway.
His tiny body trembled.
"There..."
It wasn't a clear word.
More like a breath wrapped around a memory.
Logan followed.
At the end of the hallway stood the young waitress.
She had backed herself into the corner beside the employee lockers.
She wasn't running.
She wasn't hiding.
She was crying.
Silent tears slid down her face while she stared at Noah.
The little boy reached toward her without hesitation.
His lips trembled.
"Mama..."
This time...
Everyone heard it.
The tray slipped from the woman's hands and crashed against the floor.
Servers turned.
A cook gasped.
Even Vanessa, who had followed them, stopped in the doorway.
The young woman covered her mouth, sobbing.
"No..."
Her voice shook violently.
"Noah..."
Logan looked from the woman...
...to his son...
...then back again.
"You know him."
It wasn't a question.
She slowly nodded.
"I've known him..."
May you like
"...since the day he was born."
Vanessa's face drained of color.
