جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 7

Selena Richard stood across the street from Lim Corporation and stared at the enormous glass building. Morning sunlight reflected from its silver walls, making the tower appear almost untouchable. People in expensive suits hurried through the revolving doors while black cars stopped along the curb.Selena tightened her grip around the folder containing her résumé.She had spent the last three years trying to build a quiet life. Quiet was what she needed. A steady job. A safe home. Enough money to pay rent, school fees, groceries, and everything else her son Adrian needed.Nothing complicated.Most importantly, nothing connected to the past.Especially not Dexter Lim.“Mommy?”Selena looked down.Adrian stood beside her with his little backpack hanging from one shoulder. His dark hair was slightly untidy, and his serious expression made Selena smile despite the nervous knot in her stomach.“Do you think you will land the job?”“I’m going to try.”“Then you have to smile.”Selena laughe

By Friday, Selena had learned three things about Dexter Lim.First, he hated being late.Second, he hated pointless meetings.Third, he apparently survived on coffee and stubbornness.She placed a cup of black coffee on his desk.Dexter glanced at it.“I didn’t ask for coffee.”“You’ve been staring at that screen for three hours.”“And?”“You haven’t had anything to drink.”He looked up. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”“I’m your assistant.”“That doesn’t make you my mother.”“I know.”She returned to her desk.A few minutes later, she heard him take a sip.She smiled.The week had gone better than she expected.They had avoided the past, and Selena was grateful for that.But Dexter had become steadily more curious about Adrian.He asked where Adrian went to school, what he liked, who cared for him after school, and whether he had siblings.Selena gave him as little information as possible.Every question felt like a warning.One afternoon, her phone rang.It was Adrian’s school.“Hello?

That evening, Selena returned to the office for some documents.She did not expect Dexter to still be there.The lights were dim.He stood beside the window, looking out over the city.“You’re here late,” he said.“So are you.”“I had work.”“So did I.”He turned.“Selena.”She stopped.“What?”“How old were you when Adrian was born?”Her heart sank.“Why?”“Just answer.”She looked at him.“Twenty-one.”Dexter’s expression changed.Twenty-one.The same age Selena had been when she disappeared.He stepped closer.“Who’s his father?”Selena’s voice dropped.“I told you. That’s personal.”“He’s my son, isn’t he?”The world seemed to stop.Selena could not breathe.Dexter stared at her.“Look at me.”She did.“Is Adrian my son?”Her eyes filled with tears.She wanted to deny it.She had rehearsed the lie a thousand times.But standing there, facing the man she had once loved, the words would not come.Dexter’s voice softened.“Selena.”She looked away.That was enough.He understood.His

Dexter could not get his mind off the envelope. Though he left Selena’s apartment, he could not get his mind off the faded paper which had his name on it. She had kept that letter for six years, carrying it through a life he knew almost nothing about. He found it difficult to sleep that night. By morning, his decision was made. He needed answers. Dexter drove to Selena’s apartment after work. When she opened the door, surprise crossed her face. “You came back.” “I need to talk to you.” Selena moved aside. Adrian was sitting on the living-room floor, stacking colorful blocks into a wobbling tower. The moment he spotted Dexter, his whole face lit up. "Daddy!" Dexter smiled before he could stop himself. "Hello, little man." Adrian scrambled to his feet and ran to him. "Are you staying?" "I can stay for a little while." "Good." Selena watched from across the room, quiet. Dexter dropped down onto the floor beside Adrian and joined the tower-building, and for a few minute