Noticing that after her mother-in-law’s visit to the cottage, the dog was growling at the garden beds, Emily, amidst her husband’s chuckles, decided to weed them. But digging deeper, she froze in shock at what she uncovered… 

Emily took a deep breath and blurted:
“Because your fiancée, Sarah, is involved with my husband.”
Daniel froze, as if struck by lightning.

His face paled, eyes disbelieving.
“What did you say? No, that’s impossible.”
“I’m afraid it’s true. I have proof,” Emily countered, and after brief hesitation, recounted everything—from the disc at the cottage to Ethan’s confession at school. When she finished, Daniel was ashen.
“I can’t believe it. Sarah swore she loved only me. I saved her, helped her avoid charges for theft when she was a nurse. It was a big scandal, nearly went to trial.”
Emily shrugged awkwardly.
“I know it’s hard. It hurts me too, but right now, Ethan needs us most.”
“And Sarah, according to Ethan, often punished him, tried to control him.”
Daniel sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.
“You’re right. What do we do?”
Emily’s cheeks flushed.
“What else? We start searching. Ethan’s probably scared, hiding somewhere. As his teacher, I’m responsible too.”
“I’ve called his friends, no one’s seen him. I contacted the police, but they said to wait in case he returns. But I feel something’s wrong. We should search ourselves.”
“I know Ethan. He’s smart, resourceful. He wouldn’t run without reason.”
“You’re right. Let’s start now.”

Daniel looked at her gratefully.
“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Let me drive you to town, save you a taxi.”
Emily nodded and hurried inside to change. She called the principal first, reporting the emergency.

Half an hour later, they reached Daniel’s apartment. It was chaos. Sarah, a dyed blonde with false lashes, sat on the couch, sobbing.
“I don’t know where he went. I stepped out to the store for five minutes, and he was gone,” she wailed.
Emily shot her a scornful look.
“Stop pretending. We know everything. No time for games. Where could Ethan be?”
Sarah kept crying, ignoring the question. Daniel waved dismissively and left the room.
At the police station, they were met with concern.

The police took the report and began the search. Daniel rallied friends, acquaintances, and volunteers. Posters with Ethan’s photo were plastered across town.

Social media buzzed with the search effort. Emily was exhausted but refused to give up. She saw herself in Ethan, a vulnerable child needing help.

They searched parks, squares, malls, playgrounds, asking passersby, showing Ethan’s picture. Each “no” hurt. Daniel was distraught.

He blamed himself, regretting not spending enough time with his son.
“I was so blind, caught up in work, my problems, missing my son’s growth.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Emily said. “Focus on finding Ethan.”

The search lasted all day. The city was tense, gripped by worry for the missing boy. By evening, exhausted, they paused for coffee at a small café on the waterfront.
“I don’t know what I’d do without your help,” Daniel said, looking at Emily with gratitude, switching to “you.”
She smiled wearily. She didn’t need praise; finding Ethan was all that mattered…