Noah approached cautiously.
His eyes moved between Ethan and the maid.
Neither seemed capable of looking away from each other.
"Daddy, why is everyone calling Mommy the maid?"
The question stunned everyone.
Noah felt his heartbeat quicken.
"What did you call her?"
he asked.
Ethan looked directly at the woman.
"Mommy."
The answer came without hesitation.
Without uncertainty.
Without doubt.
At that moment, Noah noticed details he had somehow overlooked.
The shape of her eyes.
A small scar near her wrist.
The way she tilted her head when nervous.
Tiny details.
But unmistakably familiar.
Then he whispered a name he hadn't spoken in years.
"Clara..."
The maid's eyes immediately filled with tears.
And Noah knew.
Somehow.
Impossible as it seemed.
His son had recognized her first.