Noah’s I barely slept that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same pair of silver-gray eyes staring back at me.
Two years had passed, yet Adrian Ashford still had the ability to turn my carefully rebuilt life upside down with nothing more than a glance.
I lay awake on the narrow bed, listening to the gentle rhythm of Ethan’s breathing beside me.
Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across his peaceful face.
He had kicked his blanket halfway onto the floor sometime during the night, just as he always did.
Smiling to myself, I quietly pulled the blanket back over his little body.
“Sleep well, my sunshine,” I whispered.
He stirred slightly but didn’t wake.
Watching him sleep always reminded me why I had never regretted my decision.
Life hadn’t been easy.
There were days when I barely had enough money to buy groceries after paying rent.
There were nights when Ethan had a fever, and I stayed awake until morning with him sleeping against my chest.
I had worked in cafés, bookstores, convenience stores, and small laboratories just to keep us afloat.
It had been exhausting.
But every sacrifice became worthwhile the moment Ethan smiled and called me “Daddy.” The alarm on my phone rang at seven.
I switched it off before it could wake Ethan and quietly climbed out of bed.
Our apartment was small—just one bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a living room that doubled as Ethan’s play area—but it was warm, clean, and ours.
As I prepared breakfast, my thoughts wandered back to yesterday.
I had convinced myself that returning to this city would be different.
That Adrian and I lived in completely separate worlds now.
I had been wrong.
Very wrong.
A soft yawn came from the bedroom.
“Daddy…” I smiled before turning around.”Good morning, sleepyhead.” Ethan shuffled toward me, rubbing his eyes with one tiny fist.
His bright red hair was sticking up in every direction, making him look like a sleepy little lion.
“I smelled pancakes.” “You’ve got a very sensitive nose.” He grinned proudly.
“I know.” I laughed and placed a warm pancake onto his plate.
“Go wash your hands first.” He sighed dramatically.
“Why?” “Because I said so.” “…Okay.” After breakfast, I walked Ethan to the bathroom to help him brush his teeth.
“Daddy?” “Hmm?” “Will we go back to the daycare today?” “Yes.” “I made a friend.” “You did?” He nodded enthusiastically.
“His name is Leo.
He likes dinosaurs too.” “I’m glad.” “And…” He paused, looking at me through the mirror.
“I want to see the nice uncle again.” The toothbrush nearly slipped from my hand.
“What uncle?” “The one who helped me yesterday.” Adrian.
I forced myself to keep smiling.
“He must be very busy.” “But he smiled at me.” “I’m sure he smiles at lots of children.” Ethan thought about it for a moment before nodding.
“I’ll smile at him too.” My heart tightened.
If only things were that simple.
By nine o’clock, we were already standing outside the daycare.
Ethan ran ahead after saying goodbye, disappearing through the colorful entrance without looking back this time.
He was already getting used to this place.
That made me happy.
It also made me nervous.
The closer we stayed to Ashford Biotech, the greater the chance Adrian and Ethan would meet again.
I couldn’t let that happen too often.
After making sure Ethan was settled, I walked toward the bus stop.
My phone vibrated inside my pocket.
Unknown Number.
I hesitated before answering.
“Hello?” “Good morning.
Is this Mr.
Noah Everhart?” “Yes.” “This is Emily from Ashford Biotech Human Resources.” My steps slowed.
“I have good news.” I stopped walking completely.
“The interview panel was very impressed with your qualifications.
We’d like to offer you the position of Part-Time Laboratory Assistant.” For a second, I couldn’t speak.
I had gotten the job.
After months of rejection…
Someone had finally given me a chance.
“When…
when do I start?” “If you’re available, Monday morning.” Monday.
That was only two days away.
My excitement quickly faded.
Monday also meant working in the same building as Adrian.
Every single day.
“Mr.
Everhart?” Emily’s voice pulled me back.
“Are you still there?” “Yes.” “Would you like to accept the offer?” I closed my eyes.
This job would allow me to pay Ethan’s daycare fees.
Maybe even move us into a better apartment.
I couldn’t keep running forever.
No matter how frightened I was…
I had a son depending on me.
Taking a deep breath, I made my decision.
“…I accept.” “Wonderful!
We’ll email the employment documents shortly.
Please report to the Human Resources Department at eight-thirty on Monday.” “Thank you.” For a long time after the phone call ended, I simply stood there with my phone still in my hand.
I should have been celebrating.
After months of sending out applications and hearing nothing but polite rejections, I had finally found a job that matched the career I had once dreamed of.
It was everything I had wanted…
yet why did my heart feel so heavy?
I looked up at the towering Ashford Biotech headquarters across the street.
The glass walls reflected the afternoon sun, making the building seem almost untouchable.
Two years ago, I would have looked at it with admiration.
Today, all I felt was unease.
“Congratulations, Noah,” I whispered to myself with a bitter smile.
“You finally got the job you wanted…
in the one place you promised yourself you’d never return to.” A bus pulled up in front of me, its brakes hissing loudly.
I climbed aboard and took a seat near the window.
As the city passed by outside, my thoughts drifted back to the apartment waiting for me.
I needed to tell Ethan.
He probably wouldn’t understand what a laboratory assistant did, but he would understand that Daddy had found work.
That alone would make him happy.
…
By the time I picked Ethan up from daycare, the sky had turned a warm shade of orange.
The moment he spotted me through the classroom window, he jumped to his feet.
“Daddy!” The teacher laughed as Ethan raced toward the door with his little backpack bouncing against his back.
“Someone was waiting for you all afternoon.” I knelt just in time to catch him as he threw himself into my arms.
“Did you behave today?” He nodded proudly.
“I ate all my vegetables.” “Really?” “…Except the broccoli.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Ethan.” “It was yucky.” I couldn’t help laughing.
“I guess we’ll work on broccoli another day.” The teacher handed me a small drawing.
“He made this during art time.” I looked down at the crayon drawing.
Three stick figures stood beneath a bright yellow sun.
One had black hair.
One had bright red hair.
The third was much taller.
Above them, in shaky handwriting, were the words: My Family My smile slowly faded.
There had only ever been two people in our little family.
“Ethan…” I gently asked, “Who’s this?” He pointed to the smallest figure.
“Me.” Then the one with black hair.
“You.” Finally…
He pointed to the tallest one.
“The nice uncle.” A lump formed in my throat.
“The one from yesterday?” “Mm-hmm.” “He caught me when I almost fell.” His innocent words made my chest ache.
Children’s hearts were so simple.
Someone showed them a little kindness, and they remembered it.
If only adults could do the same.
I folded the drawing carefully and slipped it into my bag.
“It’s beautiful.” Ethan grinned.
“I knew you’d like it.” We left the daycare hand in hand.
The walk back to our apartment wasn’t far, and Ethan happily told me every little thing that had happened during his day.
He talked about dinosaurs, building blocks, snack time, and the gold star he’d earned.
I listened to every word.
These ordinary moments were the happiest part of my life.
After dinner, Ethan insisted on helping me wash the dishes, even though his version of helping usually meant splashing more water onto the floor than into the sink.
When everything was finally clean, I tucked him into bed.
“Daddy?” “Hmm?” “Are you happy today?” The question caught me by surprise.”I am.” “You smiled more.” I brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead.
“Daddy got a job.” His eyes sparkled.
“Does that mean we can buy ice cream?” I laughed softly.
“Not every day.” “Every Friday?” “We’ll see.” He held out his little pinky.
“Promise?” I hooked my finger around his.
“If you’re a good boy.” “I will!” Within minutes, he had fallen asleep, hugging his favorite stuffed fox.
I sat beside the bed for a while, watching him breathe.
Then I quietly walked into the living room.
My laptop rested on the small table.
A new email waited in my inbox.
Ashford Biotech Group – Employment Confirmation Taking a deep breath, I opened it.
Everything was official.
My starting date.
My employee identification number.
The laboratory I had been assigned to.
Then my eyes stopped on one line.
All newly hired laboratory staff will report directly to the President’s Research Division during their probationary period.
My heart skipped a beat.
President’s Research Division…
There was only one person in charge of that department.
Adrian Ashford.
“No…” The word escaped my lips before I could stop it.
I read the sentence again.
And again.
Hoping I had misunderstood.
I hadn’t.
During my probation…
I would be working under Adrian.
Every single day.
I slowly closed the laptop and leaned back in my chair.
Running away wasn’t an option anymore.
I needed this job.
I needed the salary.
Most importantly…
I needed to give Ethan the life he deserved.
If that meant facing Adrian every day…
Then I would do it.
Even if it meant reopening wounds that had never truly healed.
Outside the apartment window, rain began to fall, tapping softly against the glass.
For reasons I couldn’t explain, the sound sent a chill through my body.
Some memories refused to stay buried.
And I had a feeling…
The past was finally catching up to me.
The reunion has only just begun, and Noah’s peaceful life is about to change forever.
What do you think Adrian will do when he starts working with Noah every day?
And how long can Noah keep Ethan’s true identity a secret?
— Ari1