Chapter 162

"Daniel!"

The empty children's clothing store echoed with only the confused gaze of a sales associate.

Susan's heart plummeted. She had merely stood on tiptoe to grab an outfit, but when she turned around, Daniel was gone.

Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she forced herself to stay calm.

"Daniel has a kids' phone..."

When the call connected, Susan nearly burst into tears.

"Mommy, I'm in..." Daniel glanced around, "...the underground parking garage."

"Don't move! I'm coming right now!"

Without asking why, Susan grabbed her purse and bolted outside.

Daniel wasn't the type to wander off. He'd left because he'd spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

Vincent King.

The man who once cradled him while teaching him to write his name.

Dragging his unsteady leg, Daniel struggled to follow that retreating back. He had to know why Uncle Murphy hadn't visited him in so long.

"Uncle Murphy!"

The garage's acoustics made Vincent pause mid-step.

Candy Wilson clung to his arm, eyeing Daniel curiously. "Is this child calling you?"

Vincent frowned, his gaze icy and unfamiliar. "Don't know him."

He turned to leave.

"Uncle Murphy!" Daniel's voice cracked as he stumbled forward, falling hard onto the concrete.

His knees burned, but he ignored the pain.

"I'm Daniel!" The boy's voice quivered. "You taught me to write my name... sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' for me..."

Vincent's footsteps faltered. An inexplicable heaviness settled in his chest.

"I don't know you," he stated coldly.

Candy crouched down with a saccharine smile. "Little boy, lying isn't nice. Who's your mother?"

"Susan Thompson!" Daniel lifted his chin defiantly. "My mom is Susan Thompson!"

Candy's smile froze momentarily.

"Vincent, let's go," she murmured. "This child must have mistaken you for someone else."

As Vincent opened the car door, Daniel suddenly shouted, "She's not Candy! My mom is! You always called her Candy!"

The name "Candy" acted like a key, sending a sharp throb through Vincent's temples.

He turned back, meeting Daniel's red-rimmed eyes.

"Uncle Murphy..." The boy's whisper was barely audible. "Do you really not want me anymore?"