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.