He paused, then added, âPerhaps you veiled her existence well during that time, and these pages of your past remained largely unturned.
â
Holden maintained a stoic silence, offering no rebuttal to Devinâs words.
His desire to unearth the truth had taken root like a gnawing hunger.
In the past, he had been content to let his memories lie dormant, heeding his grandfatherâs counsel that the past was a ship long sailed.
An unsettling feeling gnawed at Holden, unlike any he had experienced before.
The hunger to unravel the mysteries of yesteryears ate at him with a relentlessness he couldnât ignore.
For the first time, he felt that he would lose himself if he didnât know his past.
He remained in contemplative silence for a moment before finally saying, âDevin, I want you to seek out a psychologist for me.
I wish I could reclaim the fragments of my memory from five years ago.
â
Devinâs heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, as he wondered if Holden had stumbled upon some truth.
However, he refrained from prying further and merely acquiesced, feigning ignorance of any momentous revelations.
At that very moment, Holdenâs phone rang, and it was an unfamiliar number.
He glanced at the screen and answered.
Melonâs voice on the other end greeted him, âDaddy!â
Holden was momentarily taken aback but responded tenderly, âMelon, whatâs the matter?â
Melon proceeded to explain that he was currently in a summer camp, offering insights into his experiences there.
Holden had been wondering about the whereabouts of Melon the previous night, and now he knew that the boy was engaged in a childrenâs summer retreat.
Following a brief conversation, Holden discerned a shift in Melonâs demeanor.
The boyâs voice quivered as though he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
Brow furrowing with concern, Holden asked, âMelon, has something untoward occurred at the summer camp?â
âDaddy, when are you coming back?â Melonâs voice grew muffled, and distress colored his words.
âThe other kids at the camp, they all have fathers, and they mock me, saying I donât have one!â
Holden, attuned to the slight tremor in Melonâs voice, felt his heartstrings tug.
Seeking to console the youngster, he said, âDaddy shall return soon.
He is here with you.
â
With a skillful touch, Holden succeeded in mollifying Melonâs unease, concluding the call with a heavy heart.
Listening to this exchange, Devin found himself in a befuddled state of mind.
Apart from Adele, who was this child calling him Daddy? And it appeared that Holden had grown quite accustomed to it.
After ending the call, Holden sank into a chair, lost in contemplation, his face contorted.
Devin looked at the time and remarked, âSir, âtis time to prepare for the impending meeting.
â
Startled from his reverie, Holden donned his coat, his countenance burdened with concern, as he replied, âTell Shawn to represent me in the meeting.
I have pressing matters to attend to.
â With that, he grabbed his car keys and left.
Devin found himself trailing behind, struggling to keep pace with Holdenâs swift departure.
Meanwhile, at the childrenâs summer camp, youngsters frolicked on the verdant lawn.
Melon, relegated to the sidelines, cast wistful glances at their merriment, yearning to partake in their activities.