Lylia's peaceful days and nights continued for two years—it felt long, yet far too short.
A tragic incident would soon occur, shattering the pillar of Lylia's life.
Before that day, Lylia could be seen sleeping next to Lumiel in the humble apartment they called home.
As Lylia opened her eyes, the clock greeted her: 5:02 AM. The perfect time to get breakfast ready.
> "I better wake up and prepare breakfast," Lylia thought.
She soon noticed Lumiel holding her arm tightly with his tiny hands.
The sight already brightened her morning.
She slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake him. Before leaving, she kissed Lumiel on the forehead.
"Sleep tight, my little angel," she whispered.
Her CEO had given her a year-long vacation for her hard work, along with enough money to support her new family.
Now, at 31 years old, Lylia had become a mother to a child once abandoned by the world—now blessed with the family he had always dreamed of.
> "It's still too early," Lylia thought.
"I'll clean the house while Lumiel's sleeping."
She put on her cleaning outfit, grabbed her supplies, and got to work.
> "Let's make the place sparkle to surprise Lumiel," Lylia said with a smile, remembering his joy.
She cleaned the living room, leaving no speck of dust behind. The windows became so clear they seemed invisible. She scrubbed the bathroom until it gleamed and polished the kitchen sink until it reflected like a mirror.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she smiled.
> "It's done. I think I did a great job," she said proudly, as the house seemed to glow.
She glanced at her watch: 6:59 AM.
> "Time to make our breakfast," she said without resting, setting the supplies aside and preparing the ingredients.
While Lylia cooked in the kitchen, Lumiel began to stir in the bedroom.
The scent of warm eggs, the toast crackling, and bacon sizzling filled the air.
Lumiel sat up, drooling.
"Wuz that smell?" he mumbled sleepily.
Quietly, he wandered to investigate. In the kitchen, he saw Lylia wearing an apron, humming while cooking.
"Mama," Lumiel said, still rubbing his eyes.
Lylia glanced back and smiled. "Oh, you're awake, Lumiel."
"What's that good smell, Mama?" Lumiel asked.
"Did the smell wake you up? You gluttonous little angel," she giggled.
"You should rest in the living room. It's still early, and I'm not done yet."
"Okay, Mama," Lumiel said, laying down on the couch.
Five minutes passed.
"I'm hungry," Lumiel murmured as his belly growled.
Ten minutes more.
"Breakfast is ready!" Lylia called.
"Yay!" Lumiel jumped up. "I'm so hungry, Mama—I can finish in seconds!"
"Don't eat too fast. Cherish your food. You might choke," Lylia warned.
"I will, Mama!" Lumiel beamed with energy.
As they ate, Lylia brought up something important.
"Lumiel," she said softly.
"What is it, Mama?"
"What do you think about going to school?"
"Why, Mama?" Lumiel tilted his head.
"You're at the right age. You need an education. I'm planning to enroll you in a nearby school. You'll learn about the world—and make friends."
"Friends to play with? I want to go but…"
"But what, dear?"
"Are you coming with me, Mama?"
"I'm sorry, Lumiel, but I can't always stay by your side. You need to learn to be alone."
"But I don't want you to go anywhere else. I want you to always be with me," Lumiel said sadly.
Lylia, seeing his face, gently explained.
"There will be times when I'm gone, so you need to be strong enough to protect yourself. If you can't protect yourself, you won't be able to protect me. Got it?"
Lumiel paused, then nodded.
"What do I do to become strong, Mama?"
"First, you need to go to school and make friends who can support you."
"Okay, Mama. I understand. I'll listen so I can protect you one day." Lumiel smiled brightly.
Lylia smiled in return.
"Just remember this," she said as Lumiel leaned in.
"Lumiel… when you're alone, be strong. Make friends. Be kind. Help others. And never hurt anyone."
"I will, Mama!" Lumiel saluted with pride.
Lylia laughed. "Now stop joking and finish your food."
After breakfast, Lylia told Lumiel she would be gone for a while.
"Now Lumiel, this is your first step. Stay home and don't leave until I return. I need to buy some groceries. Got it?"
"Yes, Mama!" Lumiel saluted again. Lylia giggled and kissed his forehead.
Lumiel watched as the door closed.
> "Now… time to enroll Lumiel in that school."
Lylia soon arrived at a nearby elementary school for Civilians.
> "This school should be close enough."
She went inside, filled out the enrollment documents, and quickly left to buy groceries.
> "After this, I'll be back to see how Lumiel behaved while I was gone," she thought, a little worried.
While walking to the market, a car pulled up beside her. Two men in suits stepped out—faces covered in bandanas and sunglasses.
They grabbed her and forced her into the car.
"Hey! Let me go—!" she screamed, but her mouth was sealed with tape and her face covered.
> "What's going on?!"
One man spoke into a device. "We got her, boss. We're on our way."
> "Where are they taking me?!"
"Stop moving, you damn woman! No one's going to help you," another man hissed.
"This whole car's hidden from plain sight. No one outside can see or hear a thing," he added with a cruel chuckle.
> "Gifteds?!" Lylia's hope began to fade.
The car stopped. They dragged her into a dark room and tied her to a chair.
> "Am I going to die? But why?! Lumiel's still waiting for me!"
Then, a familiar voice echoed.
"Is this the woman?"
"Yes, boss."
"So you're the one who took our baby, huh?"
> "Baby?! Does he mean Lumiel?!"
> "Is that… Rick?! Lumiel's father?!"
"Remove the cover. Let her speak," Rick ordered.
They ripped the tape from her mouth and the cloth from her eyes.
Now face-to-face with the heartless man who abandoned his own son, Lylia spat out his name.
"What do you want, Rick?!"
"Nothing much… Someone took something from me. And now, I've found who did."
"Something from you?!" Lylia burst in rage.
"You abandoned Lumiel! You monster! He doesn't belong to you anymore!"
Rick laughed. "So you named him Lumiel… how funny."
"Yes, I abandoned that useless child," Rick said coldly.
"I left him there to disappear, and you ruined it all."
"What…?" Lylia's voice trembled.
"I left Affia to handle everything. But I guess you found where she hid him."
> "Affia hid him? But it was so easy to find… Could she have hoped someone would find Lumiel?"
Rick stepped forward.
"Let's cut to the chase. Where's the kid?"
"I won't tell you anything!"
A harsh slap struck Lylia's cheek.
"Don't test me, woman. Tell me where the damn brat is!"
"I'll never tell you!" she shouted, blood trickling from her nose after another blow.
"As I said... I'll never give Lumiel back to you," she whispered, barely conscious.
"You're persistent," Rick muttered.
"Make her talk. If she doesn't… leave her to die."
"Yes, boss," one thug replied. Rick walked out.
And then… Lylia was tortured.
Meanwhile, Lumiel waited patiently at home.