Chapter 2 - Twelve Days Away
Twelve days earlier, Hunter had stood beside Abigail’s car with his blue backpack hanging from one shoulder.
“You’ll call every night?” he asked.
“Every night,” Abigail promised.
She crouched and pulled him into her arms.
Abigail was a pediatric emergency nurse. She had been selected for an advanced trauma certification program in Chicago—a twelve-day course that would qualify her for a promotion and better hours.
She had almost declined.
Leaving Hunter, even briefly, felt impossible.
But Diane had insisted she could care for him.
“You’ve done everything alone for three years,” her mother said. “Let me help you for once.”
Rachel had agreed to stay at the house too.
Hunter knew both women well. He had spent holidays and weekends with them. Abigail believed he would be safe.
Before leaving, she handed Diane a folder.
It contained Hunter’s school schedule, pediatrician’s number, allergy information, and copies of the protective order against Mason.
Diane frowned when she saw the court papers.
“You really think he’ll appear after all this time?”
“He has tried before.”
“He’s Hunter’s father.”
“He lost the right to call himself that when he threatened us.”
Diane sighed.
She had never accepted the full truth about Mason.
To her, Mason was the charming young man who had once brought flowers to family dinners.
She had not seen him smash Abigail’s phone.
She had not heard him threaten to disappear with Hunter.
She had not been inside the courtroom when a judge called him dangerous and granted Abigail sole custody.
Abigail placed the folder firmly into Diane’s hands.
“If Mason contacts you, call the police. Do not answer him. Do not meet him. Do not let him near Hunter.”
“I understand.”
“Promise me.”
Diane looked offended.
“I am your mother.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
After a long pause, Diane said, “I promise.”
Abigail kissed Hunter and drove toward the airport.
In the rearview mirror, she watched him wave until the house disappeared.
She did not see the black SUV parked two streets away.
And she did not know Diane had received a message thirty minutes earlier.
I only want one chance to see my son.
The message was from Mason.
Diane had not deleted it.
She had replied.
May you like
Come after Abigail leaves.
👉 Diane broke her promise before Abigail’s plane had even left the ground.
