Chapter 187 Chapter 187
The morning sun was gentle, spreading gold across the curtains as Savannah helped Liam button up his little school shirt. He giggled as he tried to wear his shoes the wrong way around, his usual energy filling the room. Yet today, Savannah’s hands trembled slightly. Something deep inside her didn’t feel right. It wasn’t pain, it wasn’t fear — it was something in between, something her heart couldn’t explain.
She watched her son hum happily, his small voice echoing in the quiet room, and for a reason she couldn’t name, her chest tightened.
Maybe it was the strange dream she had last night — a dream where she kept calling Liam’s name but couldn’t find him in the crowd. She had woken up sweating, her heart racing, but she hadn’t told Adrian. Dreams were just dreams… right?
Still, the feeling didn’t leave. It stayed like a whisper in her mind, warning her, Don’t let him go today.
Adrian walked in, his tie still loose around his neck, smiling at the sight of them. “My two favorite people in the whole world,” he said playfully, wrapping his arms around Savannah’s waist from behind and planting a soft kiss on her cheek. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? You look pale.”
Savannah tried to smile, but her lips didn’t move much. “It’s nothing… I just—” she paused, glancing at Liam who was now trying to zip up his backpack, “I don’t know, Adrian. I just don’t feel okay about Liam going to school today.”
Adrian frowned, his hand resting on her shoulder. “Is he feeling sick?”
“No, not him. It’s just a feeling,” she whispered, lowering her voice. “I had this weird dream, and my heart just won’t stop racing since morning. I can’t explain it. I just… I don’t want him to go today. Please.”
Adrian studied her face quietly. Savannah wasn’t the type to overreact or panic over small things, so if she said something was off, he knew better than to ignore it. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “If your heart says he should stay home, then he stays home. It’s just one day.”
Savannah’s eyes glistened with relief as she nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Just then, Liam looked up at both of them, confused. “Mommy, am I not going to school today?” he asked, his little eyebrows furrowed.
Savannah forced a smile and knelt down to his level. “Not today, sweetheart,” she said, touching his soft curls. “You’re staying home with Mommy and Daddy. We’ll have a special day together.”
“But I already packed my lunch!” he pouted, holding up his small Spider-Man lunch bag.
Adrian laughed softly and picked him up in his arms. “Then you can eat it here and pretend you’re at school,” he teased, spinning him around until the boy squealed with laughter.
Savannah watched them with a faint smile, but her heart still felt heavy. She tried to shake off the feeling, telling herself she was being silly. Still, she couldn’t ignore how strong it was — as if something unseen was trying to protect them from danger.
After breakfast, Adrian called the driver to inform the school that Liam would be staying home for the day. “Just tell them he’s feeling unwell,” he said calmly. “We’ll bring him back tomorrow.”
The driver agreed and left, unaware that a dark car was already parked down the street, watching the mansion from a distance.
Inside that car, a man whispered into his phone, “Target didn’t leave. The boy is at home.”
Clara’s voice came through cold and sharp. “Then wait. We don’t rush. There’ll be another chance.”
Back inside, Savannah tried to distract herself with house chores while Adrian and Liam played in the living room. She could hear her son’s laughter bouncing through the hallway, and each sound felt like a small blessing.
Maybe her dream was just fear. Maybe God had just wanted her to stay close to her child today.
She stood by the window for a long moment, her fingers pressing against the cool glass, her eyes scanning the street without really knowing why. She whispered under her breath, “Thank You, Lord… for whatever You just saved us from.”
Unseen by her, the car that had been parked there quietly pulled away.
And somewhere, Clara’s plan had just been delayed — but not forgotten.