Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6. There are things in life that no one ever plans for, like how a five-year-old child can shake the heart of a man who has always been known to be cold, orderly, and unshakable. Adrian didn't understand how Nolan could change his balance with just one curious glance. A glance that seemed to ask, why do I feel like I know you? But Liora, the woman who was now so far away yet so close, continued to pull Nolan away from him. It was as if every second Adrian spent within three meters of the child was a threat. --- At his office, Adrian tried to focus on the project report that should have been the company's priority. But every time he opened the file, his mind drifted back to Nolan, to the way the little boy called his name with a curious tone: "Uncle Adrian?" The small voice was honest, sincere, and carefree, penetrating deep into his mind. Adrian closed his eyes and massaged his temples. This was ridiculous. It shouldn't bother him like this. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he said without turning around. Serena entered with a forced smile. A smile she used too often to hide her panic. "I hear you've been spending a lot of time at the project office lately." Her voice softened, feigning concern, but Adrian knew the tone was too polished. "I'm working," Adrian replied flatly. "It sounds like... more than that." Adrian lifted his head and looked at her. His gaze was sharp, but Serena didn't back down. “Who is that child?” Serena asked, her tone more direct than usual. “The little boy who is often at the project building. The one who… looks just like you.” There was a pause. A pause that was too long to hide. Adrian stood up slowly, his body tense. “There’s no reason for you to ask that.” Serena smiled. A smile that cracked at the corners of her lips. She moved closer, her voice almost a whisper. “If he’s your son… you have to tell me, Adrian.” “Enough,” Adrian cut her off. But Serena didn’t stop. “Because if that boy really is—” “I said enough.” Adrian stared at her with a coldness that finally made Serena back away. Adrian's gaze wasn't that of a man hiding a scandal. It was the gaze of a man who had lost control over something he didn't understand. And that made Serena even more afraid. --- Meanwhile, Liora was busy with her sudden move. That night, after several days of Adrian wandering around the project area, he decided there was only one way out: to leave. He packed quickly, erased his digital footprints, cut off access, and informed the apartment owner without giving a reason. Nolan sat on the sofa hugging a small doll given to him by the simple family who had helped Liora during childbirth. "Mom, are we moving again?" Nolan asked softly. Liora stopped what she was doing. She looked deeply into Nolan's eyes, hugged his head, then knelt in front of him. "Honey... we have to move to a safer place." "Why?" Nolan furrowed his brow. "Because of Uncle Adrian?" That innocent question made Liora's chest feel tight. She took a slow breath. "Nolan... Uncle Adrian is not someone who should be close to us. I'm just protecting you." "But Uncle Adrian is nice," replied Nolan. "You don't know what he did to me in the past." Nolan bit his lip, confused. He understood only one thing: his mother's voice had changed, sounding pained. The boy then hugged Liora tightly, as if he understood that a hug was the only thing he could give her. Liora closed her eyes and stroked Nolan's back. She was afraid. Not of Adrian. But afraid of the possibility that this child would fall in love with that man. That Nolan would feel something that could only be explained by blood. A bond that could not be broken. And that fear made Liora want to go even further away. --- But escape always leaves a gap. Two days after Liora moved, Adrian arrived at his old apartment. The apartment was empty. No traces. No signs of life. Adrian stood in front of the door for hours. His hands gripped the doorknob, as if holding something back from breaking. Why did it feel like he had been abandoned? He didn't even have the right to feel that way. He didn't know if Nolan was his son. He didn't know if Liora, the woman he had destroyed five years ago, had ever truly forgiven him. He knew nothing. But what he did know was that Nolan... That boy made him want to know more. Too much. He stared at the empty room again before slowly turning away. And he didn't notice that Serena was standing not far away at the end of the corridor, staring at him with a mixture of fear and hatred. Serena now felt everything shaking. Her position. Her power. The control she had always had over Adrian. And Nolan. That boy could destroy everything. --- Several days passed. Liora began working from a new location, smaller and more hidden. She felt a little safer, though anxiety still plagued her every time her phone vibrated. Damien visited the small office. He inspected the room, checking every corner. “This place… is a bit cramped,” he said. "The most important thing is safety," Liora replied without turning her head. "Safety from whom?" Damien leaned against the table, staring at her. "From Adrian?" Liora stopped typing. "Damien... I don't want to talk about it." "But I think you should talk," Damien replied. "You won't be at peace if you keep running away." "I'm not running away." Liora swallowed hard. "I'm protecting my child." Damien took two steps closer, his voice softening. "I know you're traumatized. But Adrian seems... different." Liora stared sharply at Damien. "Don't defend him." "I'm not defending him." Damien looked directly into her eyes. "I'm defending you. But I also saw how Nolan looked at that man." There was a long silence. Those were the words Liora feared most. Damien continued, "The boy senses something. It's not your fault. It's not his fault. It's just—" "It's blood," Liora cut in softly. "And I can't fight it." For the first time, Liora admitted something she had buried deep inside. I'm scared, Damien. Her voice broke softly. "I'm scared that if Adrian finds out, I won't be able to protect Nolan anymore." Damien held her shoulders. "I'm on your side." Liora wanted to believe him. She knew Damien was honest. But she also knew that the world was never simple. --- Meanwhile, Adrian stood in front of the tall window of his office, staring at the city lights that looked like dead stars. He held a photo of Nolan. A photo he had accidentally taken with his cell phone in the park. The photo was blurry, just a silhouette of a boy from the side. But Adrian kept staring at it. This was no longer just an investigation. This was no longer just curiosity. This was a feeling he himself feared. And when the phone rang, he knew his life would change again. “Boss,” said the person on the other end of the line. “We found the woman’s new address.” Adrian’s heart sank. “Where?” --- And at the same time, elsewhere, Serena clutched her phone tightly after hearing the news from Adrian. That's right. That boy, Nolan, was the biggest threat in her life. Something had to be done before everything fell apart. Something Liora never expected. And for the first time, Serena felt truly trapped.