Monisha stayed with him for two days.
She didn't ask many questions, and she never pressured him to speak.
She took care of everything he needed without neglect, always staying close by his side.
On the second night, Kalin sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, his fingers tightly intertwined.
Monisha entered quietly and sat in front of him.
Her voice was low and steady.
"Kalin…
I'm not going to ask what happened, and I won't interfere in your private matters. That's your right.
But I want to ask you one thing."
He slowly lifted his eyes.
"Do you want to keep living like this?
Running for the rest of your life?
Or do you want a real chance… a normal life, like someone your age deserves?"
Silence filled the room.
His breathing grew heavy.
Finally, he spoke in a broken but honest voice.
"I'm tired…
And I don't know how to live alone."
She didn't smile.
She didn't offer comfort.
She simply said,
"That's why… I made a decision."
He said nothing.
She took a small photograph from her pocket and placed it between them on the bed.
A man and a woman.
Simple faces. Warm expressions.
"They're a married couple. They don't have children."
Kalin looked at the photo, then back at her. Anxiety slowly appeared in his eyes.
"What do you think? Do they seem kind?"
"They do," he replied quietly.
She took a deep breath.
"I sent them your picture. They said you're a kind boy.
They want to take care of you — not for a day, not for a month.
They want to be your family… your new family."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"And you?"
She stayed silent for a long moment before answering.
"I'll still be by your side… but not in the same way.
And I hope you learn what it means to be responsible for yourself."
A tear slipped down his face without a sound.
"I'm scared."
This time, she moved closer and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Fear isn't weakness.
Weakness is staying alone while you're broken."
He looked at her.
For the first time, he didn't see a savior.
He saw a woman who loved him enough to give him the freedom to face life on his own.
He nodded slowly.
"If I have a home… and a family… will I be okay?
I'll try."
She smiled — a sad but reassuring smile.
A few days later, she drove him to the new house.
Before he stepped forward, she adjusted his collar.
"Remember…
Not every beginning has to be perfect.
But it has to be honest — just like you."
The morning was cold.
Her small bag rested beside her, and the street was nearly empty.
Kalin stood in front of her, his hands in his pockets.
He seemed taller. Maybe stronger.
"I'm traveling today," she said softly.
"Far?" he asked quickly.
"Far enough… away from all this pain."
She looked at him warmly.
"You're safe now. That's all I ever wanted."
She placed a folded paper in his hand.
"If you ever need me…
Not today. Not tomorrow.
One day."
"You were the only one who stood by me," he said quietly.
She hesitated, then hugged him — short and sincere.
She stepped back, waved, and got into her car.
She smiled at him one last time before leaving.
"I'm going to live a happy life," she said softly to herself.
"I'll love… and I'll get married."
And Kalin didn't call her back.
For the first time, he let someone he loved walk away —
because that was real love.
Kalin stood in front of the door.
The house was quiet… too quiet.
He raised his hand, hesitated, then pressed the doorbell.
He waited.
A middle-aged man opened the door and looked at him with a gentle smile.
"Oh… you must be Kalin, right? Welcome."
Kalin swallowed.
"Yes… I'm Kalin."
The man smiled warmly.
"Welcome, Kalin. Welcome to your new home… and your new family. Don't be afraid. We're here for you."
A woman appeared behind him.
"Come in, son. You're welcome here. Don't stand outside."
Kalin stepped inside.
Just one step —
but it was the heaviest step of his life.
He stood in the entrance, unsure where to put his hands, unsure where to look.
"They told me to come… if you're still willing," he said quickly, afraid the silence might reject him.
"Of course," the man replied gently. "What kind of question is that? You're part of us now."
The woman bent slightly to his level.
"We were waiting for you."
A small smile appeared on Kalin's face.
The door closed behind him.
And for the first time,
he entered a new place
without anyone holding his hand.
That night felt strange.
A new room.
A clean bed.
A window overlooking unfamiliar surroundings.
For the first time in a long while, he felt something close to peace.
Before sleeping, he whispered,
"Mom…
You were the best person in my life.
I didn't want anyone to replace you…
But I had no choice.
I'm sorry, Mom."
He pulled the blanket closer and closed his eyes.
But sleep didn't come.
Minutes later, he opened them again.
Something inside him still felt unsettled.
He slowly got up and walked to the small computer.
The papers were still there — half torn — but he was relieved he had copied the files earlier.
He opened them again, driven by both curiosity and fear.
Then—
His hands froze.
A new name.
An old file, almost hidden.
Han Jae-Min
Status: ACTIVE
Surveillance Level: High
Note: "Do not approach. Subject unaware."
Kalin's breathing quickened.
Another boy.
Around his age.
Under surveillance.
The same structure.
The same language.
"Who is he?" Kalin whispered.
"Is there a photo?"
He searched — but found none.
Whoever this was, he was completely hidden.
He sat heavily in the chair.
"So… there's someone else?
Am I the only one who lost everything…
Or will he pay the same price?"
He imagined the other boy living normally.
Laughing.
Dreaming.
Unaware that the dark world was watching him.
Kalin slowly closed the file.
But the truth was already uncovered.
This wasn't just about him.
There were more names.
More lives under surveillance.
Was there a bigger game than he ever imagined?
And the worst part?
He was already inside it.