Noah’s The moment I stepped out of the meeting room, I knew Adrian was waiting for an explanation.
He stood near the glass wall of his office, arms folded across his chest, his expression unusually serious.
I tried to walk past him.
“Noah.” I stopped.
“What?” “What did my mother say to you?” “Nothing important.” His eyes narrowed.
“You’ve become very good at saying that.” I sighed and turned toward him.
“She told me to stay away from you.” Adrian’s expression hardened.
“I see.” “She thinks I’m going to cause problems for you.” “Did you tell her she was wrong?” I hesitated.
“I told her I didn’t have any intentions toward you.” He was quiet.
Then his gaze shifted toward my neck.
The scent-blocking patch was hidden beneath my collar, but I could still feel the slight warmth beneath it.
“Your cycle is getting worse.” I instinctively touched my collar.
“It’s manageable.” “You should go home.” “You said that an hour ago, but I told you I have to work.” “You can finish it remotely.” I shook my head.
“Adrian, I don’t need special treatment because I’m an Omega.” His expression softened.
“That’s not what I’m offering.” “Then what?” “Concern.” The answer caught me off guard.
Before I could respond, his assistant approached.
“President Ashford, the documents you requested have arrived.” Adrian took the folder.
“Thank you.” The assistant left.
Adrian opened it and scanned the first page.
His expression changed.
“What is it?” I asked.
He handed me the document.
It was a security report.
Someone had attempted to access the company’s restricted research database overnight.
I frowned.
“Again?” “Yes.” I looked at the access time.
“Two forty-three in the morning.” Adrian nodded.
“Whoever it was knew exactly which database to target.” My fingers tightened around the paper.
“E-17?” “No.” I looked at him.
“Then what?” He turned the page.
“Employee medical records.” My stomach dropped.
“Medical records?” “Specifically designation-related records.” I stared at the page.
My own name appeared on the list.
So did Adrian’s.
“What are they looking for?” “I don’t know yet.” I looked at the other names.
Most belonged to senior researchers.
Then I noticed something.
“Why is Professor Hale’s name here?” Adrian’s expression turned cold.
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” A strange silence settled between us.
My phone vibrated.
I looked at the screen.
A message from the daycare.
Ethan is ready for pickup.
I immediately grabbed my bag.
“I need to go.” Adrian nodded.
“I’ll come with you.” “You don’t have to.” “I know.” He picked up his coat.
“I’m coming anyway.” I gave him an exhausted look.
“You’re impossible.” “I’ve been told.” The daycare was directly across from the company building, so we didn’t need a car.
We simply crossed the street.
When we reached the entrance, I could already see Ethan sitting beside one of the teachers.
The moment he saw me, his face lit up.
“Daddy!” He hurried toward me with his little fox clutched in one hand.
I crouched and opened my arms.
“Come here.” He hugged me tightly.
I smiled and kissed the top of his hair.
“Did you have a good day?” “Good.” “What did you do?” “Blocks.” He held up his little fox.
“Fox too.” I smiled.
“Of course.” Adrian crouched beside us.
Ethan looked at him.
“Uncle.” Adrian smiled faintly.
“Hello.” Ethan held out the fox.
“Fox.” Adrian looked at the toy.
“Your fox?” Ethan nodded.
“My fox.” Adrian carefully touched one of its ears.
“He’s very lucky.” Ethan smiled.
I watched them quietly.
There was something different about Adrian around children.
He was still reserved, but he seemed gentler.
Then Ethan reached toward him.
“Up.” Adrian looked at me.
I hesitated.
“Only if you want to.” Adrian carefully lifted Ethan.
Ethan rested his head against Adrian’s shoulder.
My chest tightened.
It looked too natural.
Far too natural.
I looked away.
The teacher approached.
“Mr.
Everhart, there was something unusual today.” I immediately became alert.
“What happened?” “Someone came asking about Ethan.” My blood ran cold.
“Who?” “We don’t know.
He didn’t give a name.” Adrian’s expression changed instantly.
“What did he look like?” The teacher described him.
Tall.
Dark hair.
Black coat.
I felt a chill run through me.
I had seen that description before.
The researcher from my memories.
The man who had once warned me to stop working on E-17.
Vincent.
Adrian looked at me.
“You know him.” I swallowed.
“I think I do.” Ethan suddenly lifted his head from Adrian’s shoulder.
“Daddy.” I looked at him.
He pointed toward the window.
“Man.” My heart stopped.
“Where?” Ethan pointed again.
“Man there.” Adrian immediately turned toward the window.
Across the street, a dark figure stood near the corner.
The person was watching the daycare.
Watching us.
Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Adrian handed Ethan back to me.
“Stay here.” He started toward the door.
I grabbed his sleeve.
“Don’t.” He looked at me.
“Why?” “Because that’s what they want.” He stopped.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“You’re right.” He pulled out his phone.
“I’m calling security.” I held Ethan closer.
My son buried his face against my shoulder.
And for the first time, I realized something terrifying.
Whoever was following me wasn’t just interested in my past anymore.
They had found my son.
I held Ethan tighter against my chest.
His little fingers were curled around my shirt, and I could feel his heartbeat against me.
“Don’t look outside, sweetheart.” He lifted his head.
“Why?” “There’s nothing there.” I forced a smile.
Ethan stared at me for a moment before resting his head against my shoulder again.
Adrian was still watching the street.
His phone was pressed against his ear.
“Check every entrance around the daycare,” he ordered.
“I want the footage from the last two hours.” He ended the call and turned toward me.
“We’re going back to the company.” I shook my head.
“No.
Ethan needs to go home.” “Your apartment isn’t secure.” “Then where are we supposed to go?” “My house.” I immediately shook my head.
“No.” Adrian frowned.
“Noah.” “I can’t keep bringing Ethan into your family problems.” “This has nothing to do with my family.” “You don’t know that.” He went quiet.
I knew I had a point.
Everything surrounding us seemed connected somehow — the research, the messages, the old compatibility report, and now someone watching Ethan.
I couldn’t tell what was coincidence anymore.
Adrian stepped closer.
“We need somewhere secure.” “I’ll find somewhere.” “Tonight?” I didn’t answer.
He sighed.
“You’re exhausted.
Your cycle is approaching, you’ve been receiving threats, and someone is watching your child.” His voice softened.
“You don’t have to prove that you can handle everything alone.” I looked down at Ethan.
That sentence hurt because it was true.
For two years, I had handled everything alone.
Every doctor’s appointment.
Every sleepless night.
Every bill.
Every time Ethan got sick.
I had never had anyone to call.
And now Adrian was standing in front of me, offering help I wasn’t sure I knew how to accept.
“Just for tonight,” I finally said.
Adrian nodded.
“Alright.” By the time we reached Adrian’s house, Ethan was asleep.
This wasn’t my first time here.
I knew the layout now, and the familiarity made me strangely uncomfortable.
Adrian carefully carried Ethan inside while I followed.
He took him upstairs and placed him in the same guest room he’d used before.
I stood in the doorway, watching as Adrian pulled the blanket over Ethan.
My son barely moved.
“He’s sleeping deeply,” Adrian whispered.
I nodded.
“He’s had a long day.” Adrian looked at me.
“So have you.” “I’m alright.” His expression said he didn’t believe me.
I ignored it.
For the next hour, everything remained quiet.
Then the headache started.
I pressed my fingers against my temple.
My cycle was getting closer.
The scent blocker wasn’t working as well as it had that morning, and I could feel the familiar discomfort beginning to build.
I quietly took my cycle-management supplements and checked my temperature.
Adrian noticed.
“Are you feeling worse?” “A little.” “You should rest.” “I will.” He stepped back, giving me space.
“There’s a medical room downstairs.
If you need anything, tell me.” I nodded.
“Thank you.” I went to sit on the sofa.
A few minutes later, Adrian returned with water.
He placed it on the table without coming too close.
“Drink.” I picked up the glass.
“You really don’t have to take care of me.” “I know.” “Then why do you keep doing it?” He looked at me for a moment.
“Because I want to make sure you’re safe.” My chest tightened.
I looked away.
The room became quiet again.
Outside, rain began tapping against the windows.
For some reason, the sound brought back another fragment of memory.
Two years ago.
Rain.
Adrian.
A night I couldn’t fully remember.
I touched my neck.
The mark beneath my collar seemed warmer than usual.
I quickly lowered my hand.
Adrian noticed.
“Your mark?” I froze.
He stared at me.
I couldn’t answer.
He didn’t push.
Instead, he said quietly, “You don’t have to explain it tonight.” I looked at him.
For once, I was grateful he didn’t ask.
My cycle symptoms continued to worsen, and eventually Adrian contacted the house doctor.
The doctor checked me and reassured me that I wasn’t in danger, but recommended that I rest somewhere quiet and continue following my prescribed cycle-management plan.
Adrian listened carefully to every instruction.
After the doctor left, he placed a fresh scent-neutralizing patch on the table for me.
“You can use this if you need it.” I nodded.
“Thank you.” He moved toward the door.
“I’ll be downstairs.” I looked at him.
“Adrian.” He stopped.
“Yes?” I hesitated.
“Thank you for not taking advantage of this.” His expression turned serious.
“Why would I?” I lowered my eyes.
“I don’t know.” He shook his head.
“Get some rest, Noah.” Then he left.
I sat quietly, listening to his footsteps disappear down the hallway.
For the first time that night, I felt safe enough to close my eyes.
Noah’s cycle is getting closer, Adrian is starting to notice that something is seriously wrong, and whoever has been following Noah clearly isn’t giving up.
And I really want to know what you guys think about Adrian’s behavior here.
He could have taken advantage of Noah’s vulnerable state, but instead, he respected his boundaries and made sure he was safe.
Also… that mark.
Why does it still react after two years?
See you in Chapter 14!
— Ari1