The boy who left at eighteen on a scholarship and built a life in cities I’d never seen.
In my phone, buried beneath years of numbers I didn’t use anymore, I had one business card contact I’d saved out of pure sentimentality:
Isaac Hale – Founder & CEO, HaleTech Industries.
My hands shook as I tapped the name.
I expected voicemail. Or an assistant. Or a polite message saying he’d call back later.
Instead, he picked up on the second ring.
“Mrs. Carter?” His voice was deeper now, authoritative, successful—but still warm. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a choked sound.
“Where are you?” he pressed. “Tell me exactly.”
I gave him the address. He didn’t hesitate.
“Stay there. I’m coming right now.”
I wiped rain from my face, unsure whether it was water or tears. I imagined a town car, maybe. A chauffeur. Something fancy—that’s the kind of life he must live now.
