Zane
"Did you two play well with Uncle Vien?" I asked Nico and Nilo.
"Dad, we don't want to play anymore. How long are we gonna stay here?"
I could tell they were getting bored. After all, this was a stranger's house for them, and they didn't really know Vien that well.
"We'll leave in fifteen minutes."
As soon as I said that, they started running around again. I glanced at the professor.
"Are you sure you don't want to send them? They're your sons, after all. They'd become geniuses if they attended Elava School."
"They are my sons. That's exactly why I don't want them to go to Elava School. They'll attend a normal school and live normal lives like any other kids. I hope you understand what I mean."
My tone was firm enough to make the professor understand he couldn't push this any further.
I knew what Elava Schools were capable of—they would do anything to recruit a child they deemed a genius. But I was determined. As long as I stood in the way, no one could touch my sons.
"Zane, if you don't want to, we won't force you. But just… take care of yourself, okay?" the professor said.
At that moment, I realized Vien's maid had already prepared dinner for us, since he had told her beforehand. So, instead of leaving, we ended up staying for dinner.
Even though I had said we'd leave soon, we ended up staying a few more hours.
We ate, and afterwards Vien joined me and the professor for a long conversation.
When we finally finished, I noticed Nico and Nilo had fallen asleep on the sofa.
I thought they were still playing inside while we talked in the yard, but clearly, they were exhausted.
"Professor, Vien, I think we should go. My kids are so sleepy they've already dozed off."
"Wait—I'll drop you off. I was the one who brought you here anyway," Vien said.
I nodded. The professor smiled and gently tapped both kids awake. They stirred, and then we all left together, heading to the car.
As soon as we got in, Nico and Nilo fell back asleep. It was their bedtime already.
I sat quietly, looking outside. My phone had died since I'd forgotten to charge it in the morning. I sighed—it couldn't be helped, I'd just charge it once we got home.
"What did the professor say?" Vien asked while driving.
I glanced at him; he looked curious.
"Well, he mentioned something about a disaster happening across the country. And he also wanted Nico and Nilo to enroll in Elava School, but I rejected it."
"You did the right thing. Those two cute kids don't deserve that place. Like hell I'd let Elava School ruin their childhood the way they ruined ours."
I was a little surprised, but relieved. I thought he'd argue that my kids should attend, but clearly, he felt the same as me. I smiled at him.
"Did he tell you about the disaster too?" I asked.
"Yes. When I pressed him for details, he said he didn't know much."
"Same here," I replied.
Just then, the whole car jolted violently, as if we'd collided with something.
My head snapped back. Nico and Nilo stirred awake from the impact, but thankfully, their seatbelts had kept them safe.
"Watch where you're going, idiot! Stop the car—you hit someone!" I shouted.
"I'm sorry!" Vien quickly stopped the car. I jumped out, scanning the road.
But… nothing. No one was there. No bloodstains. No sign of an accident at all.
My chest tightened. Something had definitely struck the car, but what?
I hurried back inside and locked the doors, my instincts screaming at me. A dangerous feeling crept over me, and I rolled up my window immediately.
"Vien, start the car. Close all the windows, now."
He obeyed without hesitation.
"What was that? Did you see who we hit? And why do you look so panicked?"
"There was no one. Not even a trace of blood. But the car was shaken up. Something hit us… yet there was nothing there. And one more thing—it's not even that late, but look around. This road is almost empty. No other vehicles at all."
Vien glanced outside and nodded grimly. My heart was racing. I couldn't stop worrying about Nico and Nilo, so I climbed into the backseat and settled between them, resting their heads on my lap.
"Vien, can't you drive faster?"
"Okay, Boss Zane. Hold tight," he said, stepping on the accelerator.
Ten minutes later, we finally reached my building. But instead of letting him drop us off, I told him to park in the basement and come upstairs with me.
I carried Nico in my arms, while Vien carried Nilo. Together, we entered the elevator.
"That was pretty scary back there," Vien said, half-joking. "When you told me to close the windows like that… it felt like a ghost was outside the car."
I couldn't help but laugh, now that the tension had faded. "Yeah, when I think about it now, it does sound funny."
The elevator dinged, and we stepped onto my floor.
"You know, Zane, you've always been like this—making everyone around you worried," Vien said.
I was still laughing as we walked toward my door.
And when we reached the door, I saw Viktor standing there with a man dressed in a black turtleneck and gloves. His hair was as dark as his eyes, both sharp and unsettling.
Viktor, meanwhile, stood in his vest, arms folded firmly across his chest, right in front of my door as if he had been waiting for me.
My laughter vanished the moment I saw him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
Viktor stepped forward, closing the distance between us. When he reached me, he patted Nico's head before turning his glare sharply toward Vien.
"Give me Nilo," he said coldly.
"No. Why would I? You look shady as hell. Zane, who is this man, and why is he asking for your kid?" Vien's voice was sharp, protective.
I glanced at Viktor. His expression alone was enough to tell me he'd kill Vien without hesitation if he resisted.
"Vien, give him Nilo. I know him."
As soon as the words left my mouth, Viktor snatched Nilo from Vien's arms, his glare darkening even further.
"Who is this guy, Zane?" Viktor demanded this time, his voice edged with suspicion.