Chapter 18: A Son's Heartbreak

Stephen's POV

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as I raced after my father, every passing minute feeling like an eternity for Max and me. Our anxiety had reached a crescendo, compelling us to abandon our post outside and venture inside to find Eric.

"I don't think Eric will come back here," I finally voiced, breaking the oppressive silence. "He pursued his father despite his plea to spare the 'Evans' name from disgrace."

Max nodded, her agreement etched across her worried face. "Now that you mention it, we should go to Eric. I fear he confronted his father about it."

Guided by Max's acute intuition, we made our way through the house, straining to locate the sound of Eric's voice. It was clear that something was amiss, weighing heavily upon him.