CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: THE SOUND BENEATH THE SILENCE

POV: Aaron’s Dad (James)

5:47 AM — Something’s Off

There are things you don’t notice at first.

A missing sock. A half-closed door. The shift in the way someone says "good morning."

But once you do notice them, they start screaming at you.

Aaron left.

And I can’t stop hearing the silence he left behind.

Elena pretended not to be shaken. Milo won’t look me in the eye. And the worst part?

I don’t even know where to start.

6:30 AM — The Search for Clues (But Not Really)

I wasn’t looking for evidence.

Not officially.

But I did hover over Elena’s phone when she left it on the charger. I watched her thumbs move too fast across the screen when she texted someone she wouldn’t name. I noticed the name "A—" in her Notes app two days ago.

Aaron. Obviously.

What the hell kind of note has your stepson’s name at the top, with nothing else underneath?

8:00 AM — Flashback: Father and Son

Aaron wasn’t always distant.

He used to come to me for everything — scraped knees, trouble at school, dating advice. Hell, he asked me how to tie a tie before his first high school dance.

When Elena came into our lives, he was polite. Quiet. Maybe a little cold, but he was never disrespectful.

I thought it was just adjustment.

Now I’m starting to wonder if it was something else.

10:20 AM — Milo Slips

He was in the garage, looking for something. I came in through the side door and caught the tail end of a mutter:

"—should’ve told him sooner."

I said, "Told who what?"

He flinched. "Nothing."

"Milo."

"It’s... it’s just about school. I’m behind on a project."

I didn’t believe him. He knew I didn’t.

But I let it go.

I didn’t want to be the dad who interrogates. I wanted to be the dad whose kids talk to him because they want to.

Too bad I don’t get that luxury anymore.

11:45 AM — Elena Breaks

She came into my office around noon, said she was going for a drive.

"Need to clear my head," she said, not meeting my eyes.

I nodded. "Want company?"

"No," she said too quickly.

I almost asked her then — point-blank — What’s going on with you and Aaron?

But I didn’t.

Because if she lied, I didn’t know what I’d do.

And if she told the truth...

I didn’t know what I’d do then either.

2:00 PM — Things That Don’t Make Sense

I pulled out my old journal. Yeah, I’m one of those dads who still writes stuff down by hand. Helps me think.

I made a list.

Aaron changed after Christmas.

Elena started working out more. Secretive phone calls.

Milo saw something — or knows something.

That night Aaron didn’t come home and Elena stayed up until 3 AM.

The slip-up: Elena called Aaron "baby" once. In the kitchen. Then pretended she was talking about the dog.

All small things. All deniable.

But together?

They painted a picture.

And I didn’t like what it was starting to look like.

4:10 PM — The Memory That Haunted Me

It hit me suddenly.

Aaron’s 21st birthday. The night I went to bed early. I came downstairs for water. Heard whispering in the den.

I saw a shadow on the couch. Two people close together. I assumed it was Milo and a girl. Left them alone.

But now?

That wasn’t Milo’s voice.

It was Aaron’s.

6:00 PM — The Final Straw

I found her sweater on the floor in the laundry room.

Folded inside the pocket: a Polaroid photo.

Of Aaron.

In her car.

He was smiling.

Her handwriting on the back: "This day was everything."

My hand went numb.

I don’t know how long I stood there.

The house was quiet.

But inside me, something was howling.

6:42 PM — I Ask the Question

She came back from her drive.

I waited until she was in the kitchen.

"Did something happen between you and Aaron?" I asked.

She froze.

Then, slowly, she turned to me. Her lips parted. Her eyes went glossy.

But she said nothing.

And that was all I needed to hear.

📘 End of Chapter 26

💬 YOUR TURN!

The dad knows.

He hasn’t exploded — yet.

But how long can he hold it in?

👇 Comment if you think he’ll confront Aaron next... or Elena first.

❤️ Like this Chapter if that Polaroid moment hit like a gut punch.

🔔 Follow to get Chapter 27 — where the confrontation finally begins.