13th April 2024
Evan descended the stairs from his apartment to the ground floor, where his aunt and uncle resided in a cozy, lived-in space filled with warmth and memories.
As he neared the door, the sound of rustling paper met his ears. Inside, Jason sat at the small dining table, flipping through documents with sharp focus. Rossy moved gracefully around the kitchen, her hands busy, the smell of something delicious filling the air.
"Jason, could you call Evan for dinner? It's nearly ready," Rossy said, still focused on preparing the final touches.
"Sure," Jason replied without looking up. "I'll get him after I finish these."
"No need, Aunt. I'm already here," Evan announced, stepping through the doorway.
Rossy nearly dropped the spoon in her hand. "Oh! Evan, we didn't even hear you come in."
"I told him to call you because you were taking too long," she added with a warm chuckle.
"It's fine. Happens all the time. Besides, you're not getting any younger," Evan said, deadpan.
Rossy gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me? I am far too youthful to be called old!"
Jason grunted. "Alright, 'Miss Queen,' less talk, more food. I've got things to do."
Rossy turned to him with a pout. "Ugh, you're such a bad uncle. Can't you see? An aunt and her son are bonding here!"
Evan let out a soft chuckle—brief, but genuine. Rossy caught it immediately.
"You smiled," she noted with a small grin, before her face softened. "But… you don't seem like yourself today. Something wrong, child?"
She gently cupped his cheeks, a habit she never outgrew.
Evan backed up slightly. "It's nothing, Aunt. Just tired. Cleaned my room today."
Rossy's expression brightened. "Then you deserve your favorite dinner! You sit down, I'll serve you."
"I can help—"
"Nope. Sit," she ordered, guiding him to the table.
Dinner was eaten quickly, and mostly in silence—Jason's military habits demanded peace during meals. Rossy respected that, but only barely.
Afterward, Evan leaned back in his seat. The silence hung in the air like a curtain, and he knew it was time.
"Aunt… Uncle... there's something I need to talk about."
Rossy returned from the kitchen with a puzzled expression, drying her hands with a towel.
"Did something happen?" she asked, sensing the change in his tone.
Evan shook his head. "Not exactly. But… remember that friend I mentioned I was meeting today?"
Both nodded.
"Well… something happened. My friend met a couple who claimed to be my biological parents."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
"What? The parents who abandoned you at the orphanage?" Rossy asked, her voice trembling.
Evan nodded slowly. "Yes. And... they plan to visit tomorrow. They want to take me with them to another kingdom."
Rossy blinked rapidly, trying to process the shock. Jason, ever the composed one, narrowed his eyes.
"Are you sure they're your parents?"
"They confirmed it. They described things only my parents would know—my birthmark, the date I was left at the orphanage. I double-checked everything."
Jason leaned forward. "So you didn't meet them? Only spoke on the phone?"
"Yes. They said they're currently traveling and can't be reached. Only they'll call me back. Here—" Evan handed over a number.
Jason immediately tried it, only to get a dead tone. "It's off."
"They warned me it would be. Said they'd only contact the number I gave them."
Rossy, who had remained frozen, finally snapped.
"They might be criminals! Evan, no—don't go! You can stay with us. We love you like our own child," she sobbed, her hands trembling.
Jason reached out to steady her, but she shook her head and looked to Evan with pleading eyes.
"Dear, calm down," Jason said quietly. "Let's hear him out."
Evan nodded, his voice calm. "They were on the run from a powerful noble family. It's why they left me behind. Now that things are safe, they want me back."
He was prepared—he'd rehearsed the lie a hundred times.
The irony? It wasn't completely a lie.
From his past lives, he remembered clearly: his parents had indeed come back for him. They lived together peacefully—at least for two years. But each time, disaster struck. Each time, they were separated.
If this life was different… maybe they could all coexist.
Rossy's tears returned. "Why can't we just live happily together? Why must you be taken away? Why, God? Why?!"
Jason pulled her close. His own eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"I don't want to go either," Evan said, standing up. "But I have to meet them. Maybe, someday, I can return with them… and we can all live together."
It was hope. A fragile, flickering hope.
An hour and a half passed before Rossy composed herself. Her eyes were swollen, but her voice steady.
"Listen to me, Evan," she said softly. "They may be your parents... but I will always be your mother. That can never change. Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise," Evan said, his tone unwavering.
As he turned to leave, the heaviness in the room was suffocating.
Rossy collapsed next to Jason, her heart breaking again.
"Can't we stop him? He should legally be ours…" she whispered.
Jason shook his head. "We can't. The law's not on our side, and... Wilson confirmed everything. It's real."
Rossy sniffled, curling into her husband's side. "What if his mother never lets him come back? What then?"
Jason couldn't answer.
He didn't know either.
— To be continued —
Author's Note:Hey everyone! This was my first try at an emotionally heavy chapter, and I really hope it resonated with you. Let me know if you felt the weight of Rossy's pain and Evan's conflicted heart. Your feedback means a lot!