Contracted To You-Chapter 56: After The Storm

It was weekend at Ezra’s house. He was sitting alone at the dining table, eating in a silence that had become all too familiar.

As he ate, his gaze landed on his phone, where he still had pictures of her. It was unusual for him, but he found himself looking at the woman who had so cruelly hung up on him the day he used an unknown number to call. He had only spoken her name before a heavy silence ensued, and then he heard the unmistakable beep of the call ending as she hung up.

With a heavy sigh, he contemplated the numerous attempts he could make to reach her, knowing full well they would all end in the same disappointment. She clearly had no desire to speak with him anymore, a realization that baffled and frustrated him.

"Are you still hoping she’d come back?" Dawn’s voice sliced through his thoughts. He glanced at her, annoyance flaring as he saw her eyes glued to his phone.

"Hmm?" Dawn asked casually while taking a seat next to him. She’d stopped all the unnecessary online posts after Ezra’s warning, aware that he meant what he said and was capable of following through.

"Why are you invading my privacy?" he shot back, glaring at her.

Dawn shrugged, not intimidated. "I’m just concerned for you." He shot her a look that clearly conveyed: I don’t want or need your concern.

"Here you are, waiting around for her, expecting her to come back when she doesn’t even want to listen to you—"

"And how is that any of your business?" Ezra interrupted coldly, irritation bubbling to the surface. How dare she insert herself into matters that were none of her concern?

"I suggest you forget about her, Ezra. You can’t keep pining after another woman when you have a family here." Dawn continued, but at that moment, Ezra suddenly paused.

"Excuse me?" he replied, his voice low but laced with danger.

She met his gaze, realizing she had crossed a line. The word "family" had ignited anger in him.

Ezra had changed. While he once maintained a cool, aloof demeanor, now he radiated a palpable resentment towards her presence.

"What I mean is that you should focus on what’s important here," Dawn clarified quickly, trying to regain control of the conversation. "They’re having a parents meeting at Noah’s school, and we should go as a family for his sake."

Ezra remained expressionless. He could sense there was more behind her words, but he couldn’t prove it.

"I’ll do whatever it takes as Noah’s father. Just keep your nose out of my business," he declared, the chill in his voice leaving no room for argument. He stood up and stripped his plate away, unable to tolerate the atmosphere any longer.

The day of the parents’ meeting arrived, and Noah was prepared—dressed in a fresh, clean uniform with his hair neatly combed. He sat at the table, waiting for his parents to join him.

Ezra was ready, adjusting his sleeves when Dawn approached him. "Could you help me with this?" she asked, holding out a necklace.

He glanced at it, the silver chain reminding him of Evie when she asked for similar help. "It keeps sliding off," she pouted.

Ezra clenched his jaw, wanting to simply refuse, but he knew she would persist until he relented. Without a word, he reached for the necklace.

As he clasped it around her neck, he deliberately kept his touch minimal, stepping back immediately afterwards.

"Thank you, Ezra," she said, flashing him a bright smile.

He returned her expression with a blank stare. "We’re running late," he stated firmly, moving to head out the door.

"Wait for me," she called out, but he was already outside, leaving her to hurry after him. As they descended the staircase, Ezra approached little Noah, who had just finished his meal.

"Daddy," Noah said, shifting his gaze to Dawn, who returned his look with a bright smile. "Mommy... Can we go now?" he asked.

"Come here," Ezra commanded, opening his arms. Noah eagerly jumped into his embrace as Ezra scooped him up and headed toward the door, with Dawn trailing close behind, holding Noah’s backpack. Sam, the butler, watched them as they climbed into the car, which then sped off.

The black SUV glided to a halt in front of *Wellington Heights Academy*, a prestigious private school located in the city’s core. Its clean, cream-colored buildings stood out, framed by lush hedges and meticulously trimmed grass, where the faint sounds of children’s laughter floated in the air.

A sharply dressed security guard nodded approvingly as Ezra stepped out. Dawn followed, looking polished in a fitted dress and her trademark shade of red lipstick, locking her arms around his. Ezra didn’t even glance at her.

"Good morning," greeted the receptionist at the school, her tone polite yet noticeably curious, recognizing them immediately.

"The meeting is in Conference Room 3," she stated professionally. "You can head straight there; the other parents are still settling in."

Ezra nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."

As they entered the room, heads turned. Parents whispered behind their polite smiles; a couple of teachers straightened in their seats.

"Miss Dawn," one of the school officials—a soft-spoken woman wearing glasses—stepped forward, her voice warm yet slightly apprehensive. "We appreciate your presence today. And this is...?"

"Ezra Thorne," he replied confidently. "I’m Noah’s father." The murmurs surged around him, parents vying for a better glimpse of the renowned Ezra Thorne.

The woman paused, then smiled genuinely. "Welcome. Please, have a seat."

The meeting kicked off with an overview of the term’s academic performance, school events, and classroom behavior before quickly shifting focus to Noah.

"Noah is a bright child," one teacher asserted. "However, he has been notably withdrawn lately—quiet and sensitive. He participates, but he carries a certain guardedness."

Another teacher added, "He’s well-mannered and polite, but he’s been posing some unusual questions about families. Specifically, he’s asked whether parents need to be in love to care for a child." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Ezra’s brows furrowed slightly, "What do you mean?"

"Well, we had an art assignment about ’My Family,’ and Noah didn’t draw anyone. Just his house. When asked, he said, ’Families aren’t always together, so I’ll draw what doesn’t leave.’"

Ezra’s stomach twisted. He hadn’t realized that.

The teacher continued gently, "We’re not trying to overstep. But kids notice everything. And Noah seems to be carrying questions he’s not ready to articulate."

Dawn forced a light laugh. "Kids say the strangest things."

Ezra remained silent.

As the meeting concluded, the principal offered a chance for them to speak with Noah’s counselor privately. Ezra affirmed, "Please arrange that. I need to understand how he’s really doing."

As they exited the counselor’s office, Ezra pulled Dawn aside into a discreet corner where they could speak without being overheard.

"What are you doing to him?" he asked, his voice low but firm, laced with frustration.

Dawn feigned innocence. "Excuse me?"

Ezra’s tone sharpened. "Did you hear what the teacher said? He’s up at school questioning why families don’t stay together, why love falters. He drew a house and said, ’It doesn’t leave.’ Do you even comprehend what that signifies, Dawn?"

She shrugged dismissively. "He’s a kid. They say emotional things."

"No," Ezra countered sharply, his voice now steady and intense. "Kids reflect their reality. Right now, Noah is caught in a lie."

Her eyes narrowed, defiance flashing. "You think I’m lying to him? I’ve been the one raising him."

"Raising him or exploiting him?" Ezra retorted, frustration boiling over. "You brought him to my house without warning, instructed him to call me ’daddy’ as if it were a simple fairy tale reunion. You didn’t give me a choice or him a choice."

Dawn crossed her arms, leaning back. "You’re being dramatic."

Ezra shook his head, his voice composed but piercing. "This isn’t about you or me. This is about a little boy who is confused and hurting. If you genuinely cared about him, you’d stop using him as a pawn in your game."

Her lips pressed together, annoyance flickering in her eyes. "You’re just upset because Evie left."

"Don’t even go there," Ezra warned, a steely edge in his voice. "This is about Noah’s right to the truth. You owe him better than the charade you’re putting on."

Dawn scoffed. She turned away, anger coursing through her. She couldn’t believe he would accuse her of manipulating Noah. He had clearly lost his mind. All because of that damned woman Evie!

As she walked away, she noticed a group of parents who were keen to speak with her and waited a while to have a chat with them.

Ezra strode past them, disregarding the stares and whispers that trailed behind him, until he stepped out through the school gate.

He wanted to take a walk, seeking some calm amidst the tempest raging in his mind before heading home.

As he moved further away, he allowed himself to absorb the sights of the city, which was alive with activity. Then, something caught his eye—a figure a few meters ahead.

Her striking red hair immediately grabbed his attention, and his heart raced instinctively. She was facing away, shielding her eyes from the sun, clearly stuck with a car that’s no longer functioning.

Ezra stood firm for a moment, observing her and questioning whether it was the same woman who had been driving him crazy all this time or if it was someone else entirely.

Why was his heart racing so wildly?

Then she turned, her gown fluttering in the breeze, and her hair danced across her face before she tucked it neatly behind her ear.

It was Evie.

His heart surged at the sight of her.

She didn’t notice him as she turned back, but that didn’t matter because Ezra had started moving in her direction. Like a moth attracted to flame.