Chapter 355

Evan played until he was completely worn out, then started whining for me to carry him. He must have picked up this habit from other kids. He was acting more spoiled lately, not as sensible as before, but somehow, it only made him seem more like a real child. I gave in with a fond smile, scooped him up, and gently ruffled his hair. Just as I was about to head home, something in the corner of my eye made me stop dead in my tracks. Standing by the entrance to the neighborhood was a figure I couldn’t mistake: Henry Smith. He was dressed in a sharp black double-breasted trench coat over a deep blue sweater. His posture was upright, a cigarette burning between his fingers, and there was a certain air of melancholy about him. I didn’t turn my head to look directly at him. I paused for only a second or two, acting as though I hadn’t seen him at all, then continued walking forward with Evan in my arms. To my surprise, he didn’t try to come after me. That caught me completely off guard. Henry h