LOGINLucas stared at the photograph for a long time.The little boy in the picture was smiling brightly. He was holding a sketchbook in one hand and standing beside Naomi.Lucas's eyes became wet again.The boy's eyes.His smile.Even the shape of his face.Everything reminded Lucas of himself when he was young."My son…" he whispered.He gently touched the picture on the phone.For five years, Leo had only existed in his imagination.Now, he had a face.A smile.A real life.Lucas smiled softly."He's beautiful."He spent the next few minutes looking only at Leo.Not Naomi.Not the background.Only his son.He imagined Leo laughing.Talking.Running around.Drawing pictures.He wondered what his voice sounded like.Did he like ice cream?Did he hate vegetables?Did he sleep with toys?Did he laugh loudly?Thousands of questions filled his mind.And somehow, they all made him happy.---The next morning in London, Naomi woke up early.Today was busy.Very busy.The exhibition was getting c
Lucas stood motionless.His phone was pressed tightly against his ear.For a few seconds, he could not speak.The investigator waited patiently."Mr. Ashford?"Lucas slowly sat down.His heart was beating so fast.His eyes became wet."You're sure?" he asked quietly."Yes.""There is no mistake?""No mistake."The investigator sounded confident."The woman in London is Naomi."Lucas closed his eyes.Five years.Five long years.And now, he finally knew.She was alive.She was safe.And somewhere in London, she was living her life.His Naomi.He smiled.Then tears slowly rolled down his face.Not tears of sadness.Not completely.These were tears of relief.Because for five years, he had lived with guilt.For five years, he had wondered if she hated him.If she was happy.If she was suffering.Now he knew.She had survived.And somehow, that knowledge brought peace to his heart."Thank you," Lucas whispered.The investigator smiled on the other side."I will continue gathering informat
Valentina stood frozen.The folder was still in her hands.She had only come into Lucas's office to leave some documents.She had not planned to snoop.But now, the papers had fallen open on the floor.And what she saw made her heart stop.PRIVATE INVESTIGATION — LONDONHer fingers trembled.London?Why London?Valentina slowly picked up the folder.She knew she should leave it alone.But curiosity won.She opened the first page.There was a blurry picture of a woman walking toward a building.The picture was not clear.Valentina frowned.She could not see the woman's face.She turned another page.Information.Notes.Dates.University.Art competition.Single mother.Five-year-old boy.Valentina's face became pale."No…"Her voice shook."No."She quickly closed the folder.Her breathing became heavy.She knew.She knew immediately.Naomi.It had to be Naomi.Lucas had not spent years looking for just anyone.He was looking for her.And if the little boy was five years old…Valentina
The news about the finalists spread quickly around the university.Students were talking everywhere.Some were excited.Some were nervous.Some were already dreaming about becoming famous.But Naomi was different.She still woke up early.Still prepared Leo for school.Still packed his lunch.Still worried about paying bills and finishing assignments.Life had not suddenly become magical.But something inside her had changed.She was beginning to believe in herself.That morning, Leo hugged her before running into school."Bye, Mama!""Bye, my little lion.""And don't forget."Naomi smiled."What?""You are a finalist."She laughed."Thank you for reminding me."Leo grinned."I will remind you every day."Naomi shook her head and laughed as he ran inside.Children really had a special way of making ordinary days brighter.---At the university, many students stopped to congratulate her.Sophie hugged her again."I still can't believe it."Naomi smiled."Neither can I.""You deserve it
That night, Naomi stood frozen for a moment after hearing Leo's question. The little boy looked at her with bright eyes. "Mama, when I meet my father one day, do you think he will hug me first, or will I hug him first?" Naomi looked into his innocent face. There was no sadness in his voice. Only excitement. Only curiosity. As if meeting his father was something beautiful waiting in the future. Naomi smiled softly and sat beside him. "I think both of you will hug each other." Leo's eyes widened. "At the same time?" Naomi laughed. "Yes." The little boy laughed too. "That sounds funny." "It does." Leo thought about it seriously. "Then I will hug him tightly." "Very tightly?" "Very, very tightly." Naomi smiled. "And why is that?" "Because I have waited a long time." Her heart became warm. He was only five years old. Yet he already understood waiting. Children understood more than adults sometimes thought. Leo climbed into her lap. "Will he like my drawings?"
The next morning, sunshine filled the apartment. Naomi woke up feeling peaceful. The competition was moving forward. Her classes were going well. Leo was healthy and happy. And for the first time in years, she felt like life was finally becoming stable. She walked into the kitchen and found Martha preparing breakfast. "Good morning," Martha said with a smile. "Good morning." A few seconds later, small footsteps came running. Leo appeared, his hair messy and his eyes still sleepy. "Mama!" Naomi laughed. "There is my little lion." Leo climbed into his chair. "Martha made pancakes!" Martha smiled proudly. "Of course." Leo looked at Naomi. "Mama, don't forget Family Day." Naomi smiled. "I won't." "You promise?" "I promise." Leo nodded happily and continued eating. Martha noticed something. "He's very excited." Naomi smiled softly. "I know." But deep inside, she noticed something else. Whenever Family Day was mentioned, Leo smiled. But there was always somet
Naomi’s POVThe darkness was not black. It was a strange, heavy gray. I felt like I was underwater, trying to swim to the surface, but the water was made of lead. I could hear voices, but they sounded like they were coming from a long, metal tunnel."She’s waking up! Look, her eyes are moving!"I f
Naomi’s POVThe smell of the hospital was finally behind me.I sat in the passenger seat of Martha’s old, small car. My body felt like it was made of glass. Every bump in the road made me squeeze my eyes shut and hold my belly. I was still in pain, but the doctor had said my blood pressure was stab
Lucas’s POVThe Ashford mansion had become a place I no longer recognized. It was a factory of luxury. Two days remained until the wedding, and the air was thick with the smell of expensive flowers and the sound of frantic voices. Every room was filled with workers. They were hanging silk drapes, p
I felt a small kick. It was stronger than before. It was as if the baby was trying to tell me to stay strong. I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes."You're right, Martha," I said. "I have to be the mother he needs. I have to be the whole world for him."But as I lay there in the silence, I couldn







