Chương 6 - the morning light
Morning broke over Lake Michigan in brilliant shades of pink and gold, sending soft rays of sunlight streaming through the high arched windows of the Blackwood Manor breakfast room.
Six-year-old Noah sat at the long mahogany table, wearing his pale-blue suit trousers and a clean white t-shirt. He was happily swinging his legs, eating a plate of chocolate chip pancakes that the family chef had prepared personally for him.
Claire sat beside him, sipping a cup of black coffee, looking much more rested.
The heavy double doors swung open, and Ethan walked into the room.
He was dressed in a tailored navy suit with a crisp white dress shirt, his dark hair combed back neatly, his light stubble fresh. But instead of the cold, intimidating posture he usually maintained, his posture was quiet, tentative, almost hesitant.
Noah stopped swinging his legs, looking up at the tall man with wide, curious eyes.
Ethan stopped five feet from the table. He looked at Claire, offering a small, quiet nod of respect, before lowering his gaze to his son.
"Good morning, Noah," Ethan said, his deep voice unusually soft.
"Good morning, sir," Noah replied politely, taking a small bite of his pancake.
Ethan felt a sudden, sharp ache in his chest at the formal title. He took a slow breath, walked over to the table, and pulled out the chair directly across from the little boy.
"Do you... do you like chocolate chip pancakes?" Ethan asked, resting his broad hands on the table.
"They're my favorite," Noah smiled, his cheeks dimpling in a way that looked identical to Ethan's old childhood photographs. "Grandpa Richard said I could have three."
A faint, genuine smile touched Ethan's lips for the first time in years. "Grandpa Richard likes to spoil people."
"Mommy said you work in a big building with lots of glass," Noah added, leaning forward on his elbows. "Is it taller than a tree?"
Ethan looked at Claire, seeing a soft, forgiving warmth in her brown eyes as she watched the interaction.
"It's seventy stories tall, Noah," Ethan answered softly. "Would you... would you like to see it today?"
Noah's eyes went wide with excitement. "Can I, Mommy? Can we go to the big glass building?"
May you like
Claire smiled gently, setting her coffee cup down. "If your father says it's okay, sweetheart."
Noah cheered happily, while Ethan sat frozen, the word father echoing in his ears like a beautiful, long-lost melody.
