The car ride was slow and tense.
(Callen sat quietly beside Nathaniel, stealing glances at him every few seconds. Nathaniel's foot never stopped tapping the car floor—his mind racing with thoughts).
• What happened to my family?
• Why are they in the hospital?
(As the city view faded into the outskirts, a dull ache crept into Nathaniel's chest. The sight of the small shops, narrow lanes, and average houses didn't match the life he'd grown up in).
- His family never lived like this.
(They had an aura of wealth, of pride.
His father, Mr. Edward Blackwell, had built their empire from the ground up. His mother, Diana Blackwood, carried their name with elegance and grace).
- And now... they were here. In a small, unknown hospital.
- The car finally stopped in front of the building.
(Nathaniel didn't wait for the bodyguard to open the door—he flung it open and rushed out, his long strides full of panic and urgency. Callen and the secretary followed behind).
(Nathaniel pushed the hospital doors open and walked straight to the reception with cold, sharp eyes).
"Where are my parents?" [he asked, voice low and firm].
(The nurse behind the counter froze. For a moment, she couldn't process his words. His presence was overwhelming, his energy too intense).
"I—I'm sorry, sir. Your parents… what are their names?" [she stuttered].
(Nathaniel clenched his jaw. His voice came out even colder, heavier).
"Edward and Diana Blackwood."
(The nurse swallowed hard).
"O-Okay, sir," [she managed to say, eyes flicking nervously between Nathaniel and the screen].
(Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed, searching for the name. The atmosphere was heavy—Nathaniel's sharp presence made her almost forget how to breathe).
(Meanwhile, his foot kept tapping against the sterile hospital floor.
Callen stood quietly behind him, glancing at the nurse, silently begging her to hurry).
(After what felt like a full minute, the nurse spoke again, her voice unsure).
"Sir… there is a patient named Edward… but—um—they didn't mention a surname. If you'd like, I can take you to his room."
(Nathaniel's jaw tightened. His eyes darkened as he gave a single nod).
"Lead the way," [he said, his voice low and sharp like a blade].
(The nurse got up immediately, walking ahead. Nathaniel followed without another word, each step heavier than the last).
(The nurse walked silently, leading Nathaniel down the long hallway. His footsteps echoed beside her, but his mind was louder).
[His heart was pounding—faster than he could control].
- What happened to Dad?
- Why didn't anyone tell me?
- Why now?
(Finally, the nurse stopped in front of Room 09).
[She turned, giving him a soft, sympathetic look].
"Sir, this is Edward's room."
(She gently pushed open the door and stepped inside).
(Nathaniel followed, but as soon as he crossed the threshold, his breath caught).
(The room was filled with the mechanical hum and beeping of hospital machines).
(The air smelled of antiseptic and something faintly metallic).
(And there—lying on the bed—was the man he hadn't seen in years).
"His father".
Nathaniel froze.
(The man who used to wave with a bright smile at airport gates… whose hair was once jet black)…
(Now lay still, lifeless—except for the steady rise and fall of his chest).
(Grey strands had taken over his hair, and his face looked tired… aged).
(Nathaniel's chest tightened. His eyes burned).
[He took a shaky step forward].
"D-Dad…" [he whispered].
(No response).
(He moved closer, eyes glassy).
"Dad," [he repeated, placing a trembling hand on his father's shoulder—his fingers desperate to feel something, anything].
Just then—
BANG!
(A loud noise from behind startled him).
[He spun around].
(At the door stood a woman—his mother.
The lunchbox she carried had fallen to the floor, food scattered across the tiles).
(Her eyes were wide, full of disbelief. Tears welled up, and she looked like she'd just seen a ghost).
[Nathaniel's voice cracked].
"Mom…"
{That was all it took}.
(She rushed toward him and threw her arms around him, holding him tight—like the world might take him again if she let go).
[He buried his face in her shoulder].
[Her embrace… it hadn't changed].
(He may have grown taller, older, harder—but in her arms, he felt like a little boy again).
[Tears finally poured down his cheeks].
[She whispered through her sobs]:
"N-Nathaniel… y-you're back… my boy…"
--------------------------------------------------------
"Time may age the body, but a mother's
embrace remembers every heartbeat."