LOGINUpstairs, Caelum began to quietly connect pieces that still didn’t form a complete picture.He sat cross-legged on the floor, his building kit untouched beside him. Normally, he would already be focused, carefully putting parts together. But today, his mind kept drifting back to what he had heard.You’ll meet him soon.The words kept repeating in his head, calm, simple, like a fact waiting for meaning.Caelum wasn’t easily confused. He was young, but unusually observant. He listened more than he spoke, and when he asked questions, it was because he already sensed something didn’t fit.Helena was nearby, folding a few books onto the shelf, when he finally spoke.“Nana Helena?”She turned. “Yes?”Caelum hesitated, then asked quietly, “What did he mean?”Helena paused. She already understood what he was referring to, but she answered carefully.“About what, Caelum?”His expression stayed steady, but his voice sharpened slightly. “My real father.”Helena sighed inwardly. Too soon.She set
The moment Caelum disappeared upstairs, the warmth in the house seemed to leave with him.A heavy silence settled over the living room.Aria stood near the staircase, arms loosely crossed, her posture calm but guarded. Across from her, Augustus remained standing with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes fixed on her.For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.Then Augustus broke the silence.“You should have told me.”No greeting. No politeness. Straight to the point.Aria let out a slow breath. She had expected this conversation the moment he arrived.“When?” she asked.Augustus frowned. “When I came to your office.”His voice sharpened. “I went there to confirm whether Elara was really you. To confirm that you were Adrian’s stand-in wife.” His eyes narrowed. “We sat across from each other, and yet you never once mentioned you had a child.”Aria met his gaze evenly. “Because that meeting was never about Caelum.”“And that was your decision to make?”“Yes.”Her answer came without
Morning came quietly at the Ashbourne house, calm and almost normal.Sunlight filled the tall windows, warming the kitchen and dining area. For the first time since they arrived, the house felt less like a refuge and more like home.Caelum had been awake early. New places always made him curious.By the time Aria came downstairs, he was already at the dining table with a book while Helena prepared breakfast. The smell of toast, eggs, and coffee filled the room.He turned at her footsteps. “Good morning, Mom.”Aria gave a faint smile. “You’re up early.”“I wanted to see the house in daylight.”“Breakfast is ready,” Helena sa
Inside the house, the tension from the airport slowly faded, replaced by a fragile kind of calm.Caelum had already claimed his room.He moved through the room with open excitement, opening drawers, arranging his small toys, and sitting on the floor to build something from the kits. It wasn’t rushed. It was focused, the way he always was when something caught his attention.Aria stayed by the doorway for a moment, just watching him. Safe. Happy. Fully absorbed in his own world. Something in her chest eased slightly.Helena passed by quietly and gave a light knock before stepping in.“I’ll prepare dinner,” she said softly.Aria nodded. “Thank you.”Caelum didn’t look up from what he was building. “I’m going to finish this first.”His voice was calm and certain.Aria smiled faintly. “Take your time.”She stayed a little longer, until he suddenly spoke again without lifting his eyes.“Mom... will I go to school here?”The question caught her off guard.She didn’t answer right away. Not b
The plane touched down smoothly at Ashbourne Airport. The moment the wheels hit the runway, Caelum sat up straighter in his seat.“We landed?” he asked, already leaning toward the window.Aria glanced at him and gave a faint smile. “Yes, we did.”As the plane slowed, Caelum pressed closer to the window, watching everything outside with sharp focus. Ashbourne’s airport was much bigger than Ravensford’s, more planes, larger terminals, and constant movement of people and vehicles.Aria studied him quietly. “Are you excited?”Caelum gave a small shrug, looking too serious for a five-year-old. “It’s fine.”She raised a brow. “Just fine?”He glanced at her briefly. “Nothing special.”Then after a short pause, he added, “But it was a good experience.”That made her smile despite herself.Caelum turned back to the window, still thinking. “When I grow up,” he said matter-of-factly, “I’m going to build a better one.”Aria shook her head lightly, amused. Of course that would be his takeaway from
Morning arrived quietly over Ravensford General Hospital. The worst of the night was finally over.Caelum was sitting up in bed, still drowsy and a little pale, but clearly better than hours ago.The IV was already removed, leaving only a small bandage on the back of his hand. He hadn’t vomited again overnight. After hours of observation, small sips of fluids, and no returning symptoms, the pediatrician finally cleared him for discharge.Aria stood beside the doctor as he reviewed the instructions one last time.“He responded well to the fluids,” the doctor said. “The dehydration has improved, and his vitals are stable.”He handed her the discharge papers.“Keep his meals light for the next day or two. Soft, bland food in small portions, and plenty of fluids.”Aria scanned the papers carefully and nodded.“If he starts vomiting again, has worsening stomach pain, develops a high fever, or seems unusually weak or sleepy, bring him back immediately.”“I understand.”The doctor turned to







