(Part 7)

As the match concluded, the four of them finally prepared to leave.

"It's a shame Yara wasn't here. You could've met her too," Yasir remarked, shaking Nidou's hand.

Nidou returned the handshake with a slight nod, his gaze shifting to Rauf, who held Alan in his arms, sound asleep. "It's alright," he replied, "I know she's busy. She's carrying a huge responsibility on her shoulders, and I wish her all the best." With that, Nidou reached out and gently took Alan from Rauf's arms.

"I'll head back first and check the parking situation," Rauf said, glancing at Nidou before walking off.

Yasir smiled faintly, "I'll let her know. Until next time, then."

Nidou grinned, his expression confident as he patted Alan's back. "Yeah, see you at the PSL. And don't forget. I won't go easy on any of you."

"Haha, I know, I know," Yasir replied, chuckling at Nidou's trademark arrogance.

As Nidou walked away with Seles by his side, Yasir lingered, his eyes drifting back to the field. His face, however, carried a shadow of concern. "Yara…" he murmured, lost in thought.

A while later, the sound of heels clanking echoed through the pavilion as a young lady with jet-black hair entered. She walked over with an air of exhaustion, setting a stack of files aside before sinking into a nearby seat with a heavy sigh.

"Yara, you're back," Yasir greeted her with a warm smile, moving to sit beside her.

"Yes, I am, brother," Yara replied, her expression soft but tired.

"How was your day?" "It was… good," Yasir replied hesitantly, his voice betraying a hint of unease.

Yara immediately picked up on it. "What's wrong?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

Taking a deep breath, Yasir finally said, "Nidou… came by."

Yara's eyes widened in disbelief, "What?"

"He was here just a little while ago," Yasir continued, "He said he's back as Karachi Kings' head coach and that he's determined to lead the team to the World Cup. He looked genuinely happy."

Yara froze, her heartbeat quickening. "A little while ago? You mean… he might still be here?" she asked, already standing.

"No, Yara," Yasir called, shaking his head, "Don't go. He… has changed."

"What do you mean?" Yara asked, her voice trembling with both confusion and dread.

"He has a family now. He's a father," Yasir explained softly, the guilt evident in his tone, "He seemed truly happy."

Yara's pupils dilated as the words hit her like a tidal wave. Shaking her head vehemently, she whispered, "No… no, that can't be true." Her voice grew louder, each word a desperate refusal. "I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it!" She spun on her heels and stormed out of the VIP section, her steps quick and unsteady.

"Don't, Yara!" Yasir called after her, his voice thick with worry.

But Yara didn't stop. She rushed down the stairs, her eyes darting frantically left and right, searching for someone. Hoping to prove herself wrong.

"Ah, that silly girl..." Yasir sighed, rubbing his forehead as the rest of the staff tried to comfort him.

Yara, meanwhile, ran toward the stadium's exit, her eyes scanning desperately until she caught sight of a familiar figure.

There he was.

Shoulder-length brown hair, dressed in a white and black suit, his coat draped over his right arm. Nidou walked beside Seles, a warm smile on his face. In his arms, Alan was fast asleep, his small head resting against Nidou's shoulder, one arm loosely wrapped around Nidou's neck.

As soon as Yara saw this, her expression froze. Her eyes widened, trembling with disbelief. "Nidou...?" she whispered so faintly it was almost inaudible.

Nidou kept walking, unaware of her presence, but Yara hesitated only for a moment before following. Her steps heavy, voice caught in her throat. Finally, unable to hold back, she called out, "Nidou Rex Lorenzo!" Her tone was sharp, a mix of complaint and suppressed emotion.

Nidou stopped abruptly, turning around in surprise, with Seles also pausing beside him. "Yara?" Nidou said, equally taken aback as he faced her.

The two stood with a four-foot gap between them. Nidou glanced at Seles, who gave him an understanding nod and began to leave. Before going, Seles hesitated, gesturing toward Alan as if to offer to take the sleeping child, but Nidou shook his head with a gentle smile, silently indicating he wanted to keep Alan with him. Seles left without another word. The silence between Nidou and Yara was tense, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Finally, Nidou broke it, "It's been a while, Yara. How have you been?"

Yara stood rigid, her gaze fixed on Alan. "How do you think I've been? The same as always. Can't you see?" Her tone was sharp, laced with irritation and a hint of mockery, "But you... you've changed a lot. You're happy. And even a father now."

Nidou glanced down at Alan and smiled warmly, "Yeah, I am. And I'm happy about that." "Why were you looking for me?" he asked.

Yara shook her head, stepping back, "No reason. I just wanted to see you... that's all."

Nidou nodded slowly. "I'm sorry..." he said quietly.

"For what?" Yara's voice trembled, "For leaving? For giving us this 'pleasant surprise' when you returned? Or are you apologizing for me?"

"For everything," Nidou replied sincerely. His gaze softened, "You see... it hasn't been easy since I left after winning the World Cup. I couldn't find peace or satisfaction in anything I did. It felt like I'd lost everything until this child came into my life. Meeting him and deciding to become his father was like a rollercoaster ride. It wasn't easy, but I still did it."

"You adopted him...?" Yara asked, her voice stunned.

"Yeah, my sister and I adopted him," Nidou replied with a satisfied smile as he ruffled Alan's hair affectionately.

"Are you really alright with it?" Yara asked, her fists clenched tightly, "Will you truly not turn back?"

"I'm sorry," Nidou replied softly. "I've decided to move forward, and I won't look back. I hope you can move forward too. Just like this child changed my life, I hope you'll meet someone who can change yours in the same way. I'm sorry if I hurt you, but thank you for caring about me." his eyes were filled with sincerity as he spoke.

"It's all because of that child..." Yara's voice rose, trembling with anger. "It's all because of him that you've changed!" Her outburst made Alan flinch, causing Nidou to narrow his eyes in a reprimanding gaze as he gently patted Alan's back. "Yara." he said in a firm tone.

Unknown to Nidou, Alan had already woken up, though he kept his eyes closed. His thoughts swirled, "It's all because of me… She's right, Nidou Rex Lorenzo. This is all because you adopted me." 

Yara's voice cracked, her anger breaking into sobs. "Angry now, are you? What right do you have…?" she trailed off, tears streaming down her cheeks as she glared at Nidou. His face was now partially obscured beneath his hair.

"I… am disappointed in you, Yara," Nidou said, his voice low and hurt, "I thought you'd be more clear-headed about this, but I was wrong. You're just like everyone else." his lips curled into an upset grin, "Before thinking about me, you thought about yourself, didn't you?"

Yara stood silent, unable to respond.

Nidou turned to leave, his steps deliberate.

"Are you… really, really sure, Nidou?" she called out one last time.

Nidou stopped and glanced back. This time, there was no warmth in his expression, "I've never been surer. Even if I lose everything in the end, it's worth the risk."

Alan, who had heard everything, couldn't contain the storm of emotions raging within him. "Why…? Why would you go this far? I hate you. We'll go our separate ways as soon as I find my real home. You're not even my real father. Why would you go against everything for me?" his thoughts twisted in frustration and confusion. 

As if sensing Alan's inner turmoil, Nidou spoke with a deep, steady voice, "Even if one day he forgets me or sees me as nothing, I will guide him to the right path and ensure he prospers. One day, you'll understand this feeling when you become a parent."

Alan's breath hitched, and his small hand clenched tightly into a fist. "No… You're not my real father," he thought desperately, trying to suppress the emotions rising in his chest, "After what you did to me… you're not. I'll leave. Don't believe it, Alain. Don't believe him."

As Nidou walked away, Yara chuckled bitterly, her gaze cold yet filled with unspoken pain, "One day, you'll know what it feels like, Nidou. The agony of seeing the one you love leave you. And then I'll ask you how it feels."

Nidou stopped in his tracks, the words cutting deep into him.

Alan could sense it, a rising pain surfacing from the deepest corners of Nidou's heart, sharp and unrelenting like piercing thorns. With a cold smirk, Nidou turned his head slightly, casting her a sideways glance. "If that's what you want, Yara, then congratulations. You've already seen me in that state. Don't think you're the only one who's ever given someone up." 

At that moment, Alan felt a surge of conflicting emotions. For the first time, a dangerous thought surfaced, "Don't you dare hurt him… not this way." Even though when he had been the one to hurt Nidou countless times, this feeling was different. It unsettled him, making him aware of a frightening possibility: if he started to care, he wouldn't be able to let go. He wouldn't be able to find out who he really was. He would only want this family. A family that had hurt him too.

As Nidou walked away, Alan lifted his head, his crimson eyes blazing with anger as they locked onto Yara's.

Yara stared back, startled by his sudden intensity. "Those eyes..." she murmured, her expression hardening with indescribable detest.

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