Morning came quietly.
The Grant estate was usually silent at dawn, wrapped in soft mist and birdsong, but today… something felt different.
Evan washed his face slowly, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
His eyes were slightly red from crying the night before.
His heart still felt like it was being held together by shaky fingertips.
He touched the mirror gently.
Five years ago, he'd been a trembling Omega, powerless and alone.
Now he was a doctor, a father, and engaged to one of the wealthiest, most influential Alphas in the country.
So why… why did one airport encounter shake him so much?
He heard a soft knock.
"Papa?" Ethan's voice floated through the door.
Evan opened it.
Ethan stood there in his pajamas, hair messy, holding Ella's hand as she rubbed her eyes sleepily.
"Good morning, Papa…" Ella yawned.
Evan smiled and knelt, smoothing her hair. "Good morning, sweetheart."
"Papa," Ethan said quietly, "are we still going to the academy today?"
Evan blinked. "The academy?"
Ethan nodded. "Adrian said we're supposed to take a tour. To decide where Ella and I will study."
Evan had forgotten.
Today was supposed to be a day of stability, of planning a normal future for the twins.
But now, the thought twisted something sharp in his chest.
What if Lucas went there too?
What if the media showed up?
What if rumors spread?
Ella leaned on him, eyes half-closed. "Papa… can I bring my bunny?"
Evan kissed her forehead. "Of course."
He took their hands and stood.
"Let's go eat breakfast first. We'll… figure the rest out."
---
Downstairs — Breakfast Table
Adrian was already seated, dressed impeccably in a dark shirt and suit pants, coffee in hand.
When he saw Evan, Ethan, and Ella, his expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"Good morning."
Ella rushed to her chair. "I want pancakes!"
The chef appeared instantly. "They're already being made, Miss Ella."
Ethan sat quietly beside her, folding his napkin neatly.
Evan took the seat across from Adrian.
The moment his gaze lifted, Adrian was already watching him.
Evan's throat tightened.
"Sleep well?" Adrian murmured.
Evan nodded, though the answer wasn't entirely true.
Adrian set down his cup and leaned slightly closer. "We'll talk later about what comes next. For now, eat something. You look pale."
Evan lowered his eyes.
He was about to respond—
When the butler hurried in.
"Young Master Grant, Dr. Lorne… there is a situation at the gate."
Adrian's posture shifted instantly, sharp and alert.
"What situation?"
The butler hesitated. "…Mr. Lucas Hale is outside."
Evan's fork slipped from his hand.
Ethan and Ella looked up.
"Papa? Who's that?" Ella asked.
Evan forced his voice steady. "Someone Papa used to know, sweetheart."
The butler continued, voice low. "He has been waiting at the gate since six this morning."
"Six?" Evan whispered.
Adrian's eyes darkened. "What does he want?"
"He asked for Dr. Lorne."
The butler paused. "He said he won't leave without seeing him."
Evan inhaled shakily.
Adrian stood up, calm but deadly controlled. "He won't be seeing Evan."
The butler nodded. "Should I ask security to remove him?"
Evan flinched. "No—!"
Adrian turned to him sharply. "Evan."
"He's… he's not dangerous," Evan said quietly. "He's just…"
Broken.
Regretful.
Someone who once mattered too much.
But Adrian's jaw tightened. "You are not obligated to face him."
Evan lowered his gaze. "Still… I should talk to him."
"No." Adrian's voice was quiet but absolute. "Not alone."
Evan bit his lip. "Adrian—"
"I said no."
The room fell silent.
Ella looked between them and raised her tiny hand. "Uncle Adrian, are you fighting with Papa?"
Adrian crouched, smoothing her hair. "No, sweetheart. Adults just talk loudly sometimes."
Ella nodded as if this made perfect sense.
Ethan leaned toward Evan. "Do you want to see him?"
Evan hesitated.
"...I don't know."
But Adrian stood tall, his voice low and leaving no room for argument.
"I'll go to him."
Evan's eyes widened. "Adrian—"
Adrian picked up his coat, expression cold and sharp enough to cut glass. "Stay here with the children. I won't allow anyone to upset you again."
Evan reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
"Adrian, please don't be—"
But Adrian turned his hand over, holding Evan's instead.
"I'm not angry at you," he said quietly. "But I am angry at him."
Evan swallowed hard.
Adrian lifted Evan's hand slowly, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles.
"I'll take care of this."
He let go and walked toward the entrance.
Evan watched his retreating back, fear twisting in his stomach.
Was he afraid Adrian would hurt Lucas?
Or was he afraid of seeing Lucas hurt?
He didn't know.
At the Gate
The morning fog hung low over the long driveway leading to the estate's gate.
Lucas stood there, hair messy, still in the clothes he wore at the airport, hands shoved in his pockets as if trying to keep himself from shaking.
His usually perfect aura—steady, confident, proud—was gone.
He looked like someone who had spent the entire night outside.
When Adrian stepped out of the gates, Lucas's head snapped up instantly.
Their gazes collided.
Adrian spoke first.
"You're trespassing."
Lucas ignored the threat. "Where's Evan?"
"Not here," Adrian replied coolly.
"I know he's here." Lucas took a shaky step forward. "Let me see him."
"No."
Lucas's nostrils flared. "He doesn't need you to speak for him."
"Perhaps." Adrian's tone dropped to ice. "But I will."
Lucas's jaw clenched. "I'm not here to fight."
"Then leave."
"I'm here to talk to him."
"You already did."
Adrian folded his arms. "Why?"
Lucas stared at him, chest rising and falling sharply. "Because I love him."
Adrian didn't flinch. "You loved a version of him that no longer exists."
Lucas shook his head. "I've spent five years looking for him—"
"Not hard enough."
Lucas froze.
Adrian's voice was cold steel.
"If you truly searched with your heart, you wouldn't have needed five years."
Lucas's expression twisted in pain. "What are you to him? Why does he let you stay beside him? Why does he let you touch him? Why—"
Adrian cut him off, stepping dangerously close. "Because I never left."
Lucas staggered back.
Adrian continued, each word sharp:
"Where were you when he cried himself to sleep every night?"
"Where were you when the academy tore him apart?"
"Where were you when he learned he was pregnant and alone?"
Lucas paled.
Adrian delivered the final blow:
"Where were you when he almost collapsed during childbirth because he refused anesthesia out of fear it would harm the twins?"
Lucas sucked in a breath.
"I…" he faltered, "…I didn't know."
"You didn't care." Adrian's voice dropped. "And now you've lost the right to know."
Lucas's eyes reddened. "Please… Adrian, please. I'm begging you. Just let me see him. Let me talk to him once."
Adrian didn't move.
"Please," Lucas whispered again, voice cracking fully. "Just once."
For a moment, Adrian said nothing.
Then—
He turned away.
"Evan will decide. Not you."
Lucas's heart leapt.
But Adrian's next words stabbed it back down.
"And if you ever try to force him again," Adrian said softly, dangerously, "I will destroy you."
Lucas's breath hitched.
Adrian walked back toward the mansion.
Lucas stood frozen in the cold morning air, trembling as the gate slowly closed between them.
From the window, Evan had seen everything.
Adrian entered the foyer, removing his coat.
Evan walked toward him.
"Adrian…"
Adrian stopped.
Their gazes met.
Evan whispered:
"Let me talk to him."
Silence.
Then Adrian said calmly:
"Not alone."
Evan nodded.
Adrian stepped forward and took his hand.
"Then we'll face him together."