The Name That Was Never Spoken, 128.

And with a warm yet firm smile, Celeste begins to speak:

Celeste: "Damián, dear, you know how much your father meant to me. Tristan was like a brother to me, and I promised I would be here for you, no matter what."

She pauses, observing her children.

Celeste: "Étienne and Camille are like family to you as well. I want you to be close, just like Tristan and I were. You need each other."

Mason, who had been attentive until now, feels the weight of Celeste's words. There's something in the way she speaks that makes him feel like an intruder. He already knew he was relegated to the position of second-best friend.

Damián: "I appreciate your words, Ms. Celeste."

He looks at Étienne and Camille, who respond with hesitant smiles. Camille, always the more outgoing one, chimes in:

Camille: "I'd love to show you some of my paintings, Damián. I think you have a unique eye for art."

Étienne, more reserved, simply nods in agreement.

Celeste smiles, satisfied, but continues:

Celeste: "You're such a talented young man, Damián, but… I know the world can be cruel, especially to someone like you. That's why I want you to know you can count on my children. They'll be here for whatever you need."

Damián feels a growing discomfort. Celeste, though well-meaning, sees him as someone lost, naive, in need of protection. He's about to respond, but is interrupted by the housekeeper.

Housekeeper: "Mr. Damián, there's an urgent call for you. It's Adam Kadman."

Benjamin startles. He can't let Adam take Damián so quickly.

Benjamin: "I'll take that call."

But before he can stand up, Damián stops him.

Damián: "No. I'll speak to Adam myself."

Benjamin presses his lips together, displeased. He knows Damián feels he owes Adam an explanation, but all he wants is to keep his son here, with him.

Damián hesitates for a moment. He knows Adam is furious. In the ABO world, bonds and hierarchies are fundamental. He left without warning, abandoning not just a home but also expectations. He sighs and answers the call.

Adam is in his room. A drink in one hand, the other gripping his phone tightly. The yellow light from the lamp casts an oppressive glow over the room. His hormones are unstable, anger pulsing in his chest. He's irritated. Hurt.

Because he is Adam Kadman. And no one walks out on Adam Kadman.

When Damián answers, his voice is laden with restrained emotion.

Adam: "You just left. Without warning, without explanations. Do you think I didn't deserve at least a damn phone call?"

Damián squeezes his eyes shut, trying to stay calm. Adam is right. But he needed this space to think, to plan. His mind must be clear. He needs to deal with Tetsu.

Damián: "Adam, I… I needed to leave. I didn't agree with what happened. Not only that, but I won't tolerate being deceived."

Adam's voice softens, but the frustration is still there, latent.

Adam: "You know I'm here for you, right? Taylor won't be a problem, and I'm sorry for what Mason went through. She will apologize. Even Cecil. He's old, Damián. It wasn't betrayal. He just… thought he could prevent things from getting worse. You know how old servants are almost like family. But you can't just disappear. It hurts me."

Damián closes his eyes. He knows he wasn't fair to Adam. But he also can't ignore his own need for space.

Damián: "I know, Adam. I'm sorry. I just… I needed to cool my head."

His voice wavers for a moment.

Damián: "I feel like I owe this to Benjamin. I'll stay with him for a few days. But I promise… this won't happen again."

Silence. Adam takes a deep breath. His pride doesn't want to accept it, but he also knows he can't force Damián to come back.

Adam: "Alright. But don't leave me in the dark again."

Adam pauses, wanting to say more but deciding not to push. He doesn't understand how Damián can ignore his alpha, and it fills him with growing unease. His voice is softer now, but still carries a note of warning: "Just remember, Damián. You're not alone in this. I'm here. And no matter what happens, I won't let you lose yourself." Deep down, Adam feels a doubt he's never felt so clearly before.

He always thought it was good that Damián didn't fear him and that he treated him as an equal, but now he wonders if that was a mistake. Perhaps, deep down, Damián always knew that, being Benjamin Williams' son, he didn't need to fear him. The bond between them — that intrinsic connection of alpha and omega — was never imposed by Adam, but he begins to wonder if he should have reinforced it. If he should have made clear what this bond truly means: protection, loyalty, duty, and submission. Damián clenches his teeth as he hears Adam's words.

He knows Adam is trying to protect what they have. He takes a deep breath before responding, his voice firm but laden with emotion: "I know, Adam. And I'm grateful for that. But I need to cool my head; I was so angry. Just... trust me, okay?"

Adam sighs, and for a moment, the silence between them is heavy, filled with everything left unsaid. He feels the distance between them — not just physical, but emotional.

Finally, he responds, his tone a mix of resignation and a hint of bitterness: "Alright. But don't take too long. And, Damián… take care of yourself. Because, in the end, this bond we have isn't just about me. It's about you, too. And I won't let you ignore it."

Damián closes his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of Adam's words. He knows Adam is right — the bond between them is real, and he can't simply ignore it. But there's so much going on around him. Dangerous people from his past are close, and he needs to know why, because someone he eliminated is in this world, and he needs to protect Adam. Damián: "I'm not ignoring the fate that binds us, Adam. And, Adam… See you soon!"

The screen goes dark, and Adam looks at the drink in his hand. He feels a mix of anger and frustration, but also a hint of insecurity that he rarely lets anyone see. He's always prided himself on not imposing his will on Damián and on not using the alpha-omega bond as a means of control. But now, he wonders if that was a mistake.

Perhaps Damián never took seriously what this bond truly means. Perhaps, deep down, he always knew that, being Benjamin Williams' son, he didn't need to fear Adam Kadman. Adam grips the glass tighter, feeling the anger pulse in his chest.

He's not used to feeling this way — vulnerable, insecure. He is Adam Kadman, and no one walks out on him. No one leaves him in the dark. But, for the first time, he wonders if he's willing to use everything he has — including the bond between them — to ensure Damián doesn't lose himself.

Damián looks at the darkened screen and takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself before returning to the table. He feels the weight of the conversation with Adam — the anger, the frustration, but also the genuine concern that had seeped through the alpha's voice. There's a misunderstanding between them, something left unresolved, and it leaves him unsettled. He knows Adam is trying to protect what they have, but if only he knew who he truly is, where he came from…

He closes his eyes and presses his lips together, certain that Adam won't love him anymore once he discovers who he really is…

When he returns to the dining room, the atmosphere seems lighter, but Damián still carries the tension in his shoulders. He sits at the table, trying to appear relaxed, but Benjamin, ever observant, notices that something is wrong. The patriarch looks at his son with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Benjamin: "You spoke with Adam. Is he alright?"

Damián hesitates for a moment but decides not to go into details. He knows Benjamin already suspects what he discussed with Adam.

Damián: "Everything's fine, Mr. Benjamin. Just… some things to sort out. Nothing to worry about."

Benjamin studies his son with a penetrating gaze, as if trying to decipher what's going on in his mind. He knows Damián isn't being entirely truthful but decides not to press him. Instead, he offers a calm smile and gestures for the dinner to continue.

Benjamin: "Well, if you need anything, I'm here. And remember, this is your home now. You don't have to face everything alone."

Damián returns the smile, but there's a reserve in his expression. He knows Benjamin is trying to help: "I know. And I appreciate that."

As dinner continues, Celeste and her children try to keep the conversation light, talking about art, music, and plans for the coming days. Camille, always outgoing, tries to engage Damián in the conversation, while Étienne watches everything with a more reserved but attentive demeanor.

Celeste: "Damián, you young people could plan a visit to the art gallery in the city, what do you think? There are some pieces there that are recognized in the international art circuit."

Damián smiles, trying to engage in the conversation, but his mind is still elsewhere, thinking about Adam and everything that was said — and left unsaid — during the call.

Mason chimes in with a witty remark, saying he thinks the idea is great because he and Damián are practically naked — they don't have any clothes. He adds that he's already made plans to go to the city with Ziggy, but it would be great if Camille and Étienne joined them.

Camille smiles, pleased, and continues talking about the gallery. When Celeste asks Mason how the two of them met, the question catches Benjamin's attention. After all, Damián left the Kadman Mansion driven by the incident that happened to Mason.

Damián, still caught up in his thoughts about Adam, feels the weight of the question. Its impact pulls him abruptly from his thoughts, forcing him to face the question before him.

Celeste's question about how Damián and Mason met hangs in the air like a stone thrown into a calm lake. Benjamin, who had been observing the conversation with discreet interest, now fixes his eyes on Damián. He knows that Damián's departure from the Kadman Mansion was motivated by Mason, and this makes him curious. To Benjamin, the friendship between the two seems born of strong circumstances, something he wants to fully understand.

Damián feels the weight of Benjamin's gaze and the silence that settles over the table. He knows everyone is waiting for an answer, but he also senses that this question isn't just idle curiosity — it's Benjamin's way of trying to learn more about his son, an attempt to understand who he is and how Mason fits into his life.

With a light smile, Damián begins to speak, his voice calm but laden with meaning: "Our friendship started by chance, like many good things in life. Sometimes, the greatest masterpieces are created without planning, just the right combination of circumstances and will. And, in our case, that's how it was. Mason and I met at a moment when chance created possibility."

Mason laughs, animated, and points at Damián: "Wow, that's how you describe our friendship? By chance? I'd say it was more like an epic meetup, worthy of a movie!"

Damián smiles, but there's a reserve in his expression. He knows Mason is joking, but he also realizes the lightness of the comment might be misinterpreted by Celeste, who seems determined to integrate her children into his life.

It's then that Mason, feeling a bit flattered by Damián's description, decides to let loose. He looks at Celeste with a proud smile and begins to speak, his voice calm but with a hint of vanity: "Actually, I think I can tell this story better. We're a group of four friends: Damián, Aster, me, and Emeline… well, it's a shame Aster and Emeline aren't here. Aster and Damián grew up like brothers, and I'm the best friend."

For a moment, Mason's eyes meet Andrews', and there's a strange connection, as if they're alone in a crowd. Mason feels a chill down his spine but decides to ignore it. He continues: "I don't want to be the bearer of a sad story, but the truth is, we went through an accident together. Nothing serious, as you can see — we're alive and well. But it was something that delayed our plans and, in a way, brought our friendship closer."

Damián looks at Mason, surprised by his frankness. He asks, his voice low but firm: "Do you remember that day well?"

Mason responds without hesitation: "Yes, I remember. It was the day I realized life can change in an instant." But, improbably, that adversity connected us, and we became very close.

The dinner continued pleasantly, with light conversations and stories from the past. Camille talked about her first attempts at painting, laughing at her own mistakes, while Mason seized every opportunity to dramatize any situation, making everything more fun. Even Étienne, always more reserved, seemed more at ease, contributing with occasional comments and sharp observations that made the others laugh.

For a moment, Damián *almost* allowed himself to relax. He still felt the weight of the conversation with Adam.

He looked around the table and smiled, almost without realizing it.

Benjamin: "So this is how we begin… A dinner, good stories, and, apparently, a commitment."

Mason propped his elbow on the table and raised an eyebrow, amused.

Mason: "Speaking of commitments… since we're in this vibe of new experiences, I thought it would be a great idea to take a stroll through the city tomorrow. Take advantage of us being together and explore a bit. What do you think?"

Camille clapped her hands, excited.

Camille: "Great idea! There's a gallery I want to visit, and you all need to see some of the new exhibits."

Étienne, who had been listening in silence, simply nodded in agreement.

Damián, who was starting to get used to Mason's surprises, crossed his arms and gave him a suspicious look.

Mason: "Well… since we're in this socializing mood, Ziggy is already invited to join us."

Damián closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath before facing Mason.

On the way back, the mood in the vehicle oscillated between amusement and disbelief. Étienne, sitting with his arms crossed, sighed dramatically before voicing his indignation.

Étienne: "I almost lost it. Do you have any idea what it means to spend an entire day with Ziggy_Dog? The son of a maid? Wandering around the city as if he were someone important? This is an absurd drop in standards."

Camille rolled her eyes, clearly already bored with her brother's obsession with status.

Camille: "Oh, Étienne, get over it. At least he has some charisma."

Celeste, who until then seemed absorbed in her own thoughts, shot a warning look at her children.

Celeste: "Not that, children. Don't call him Ziggy_Dog. If we're going to talk about someone, at least use his name correctly."

There was a brief silence. Then Celeste frowned and asked, hesitantly:

Celeste: "By the way… what is his name again?"

Camille let out an exaggerated sigh, as if she couldn't believe they were having this conversation. She looked at Étienne, who just shrugged.

Camille: "I don't know. I don't think anyone knows. Everyone just calls him… Just Ziggy Dog."

Celeste closed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head slightly, as if trying to decide if this was comical or just pitiful.

The vehicle continued its journey through the night, leaving behind the promise of a day that would undoubtedly be… interesting.