"Sometimes, all the broken pieces hold on
to a single embrace."
(The shattered lunchbox lay forgotten on the floor, rice scattered like quiet confessions. But Nathaniel didn't notice).
[All he saw was her].
(His mother—her eyes wide with disbelief, tears trembling on the edge, breath caught in her throat).
"Mom…"
[That one word cracked something in the air].
(She ran. Arms wrapping around him, like the world was trying to piece itself together through touch. Her head barely reached his shoulder now, but to her, he was still her little boy. The one who clung to her when thunderstorms scared him. The one who left with dreams in his suitcase and fire in his eyes).
[And now, he was back—shaking, breaking].
"I—I thought I'd never see you again…"[she whispered, clutching him tighter].
(Nathaniel closed his eyes, letting the warmth of her arms quiet the chaos in his chest).
(But the beeping of machines just behind them reminded him—this wasn't a reunion).
{It was a storm's aftermath}.
(His mother stepped back, gently wiping her tears with the corner of her dupatta, trying to compose herself. Her voice was soft but laced with pain as she asked),
"N-Nathaniel… how did you come here?"
(Nathaniel swiped at his own face, struggling to form words. He looked at her properly now. The last time he'd seen her, she was radiating beauty and confidence, walking through airport gates in a silk dress, her hair done up like a runway model. Now, she wore a plain cardigan over a simple blouse, her face bare, her eyes tired but still soft).
[Something inside him clenched].
"Mom…" [His voice was low, heavy]. "What happened? Why didn't you tell me about Dad… the company? Why hide everything?"
[She offered a weary smile, brushing his cheek lightly].
"Because your father made me promise," she whispered. "He said you were finally building a life. He didn't want to pull you back into our mess. He knew if you heard our voices, you'd sense something was wrong. That's why I wrote the letter instead."
(Nathaniel stepped back, clenching his fists).
"If you had told me… if you had called, m--maybe things wouldn't be like this," [he said, voice rising with frustration]. "You think I wouldn't come back?"
[His mother shook her head gently]. "Exactly. You'd come running. That's what he feared… that you'd give up your dreams to fix something you didn't break."
(She moved slowly to the side of the hospital bed and took Edward's hand in hers,gently).
"Your father never used faulty materials," [she said, her voice calm but pained]. "He never cut corners. But that rival company… they did. And they were clever enough to shift the blame onto your dad. The press took their side. Investors left us. We lost everything."
[She looked up at him, pain clear in her eyes].
"Sinclair... S - Selene Sinclair "
- Nathaniel's breath caught.
- He knew that name.
- Everyone did.
- But he also knew the face behind it.
• selene.....
[He stepped back, his voice sharp like a blade]. "Selene Sinclair… Mom, I'm here now. I'll destroy her. Her company, her reputation—just wait. Selene…"
------------------------------------------------------
"Sometimes, even the strongest walls
collapse under invisible storms."