Capitulo 1
The classroom was silent, save for the sound of pens sliding across paper. The last test of the semester was moving forward, and as always, Liam finished before the others. Not because he was rushing, but because he knew everything. Math, science, history. Learning was as natural to him as breathing. He handed in his test calmly and returned to his seat, waiting for the others to finish.
As the clock ticked slowly, his mind wandered. It wasn't the first time it happened. Over the past few years, his mind had become a space where memories entered without permission, where past and present seemed to intertwine uncontrollably.
"Liam, honey, do you want to go get some ice cream after this?"
His mother's voice, so soft and warm, echoed in his head like a distant echo.
He pressed his lips together and looked away from the window. It wasn't worth thinking about. It wouldn't change anything.
When the bell rang, he walked calmly out of the classroom, ignoring the conversations around him.
That night, the house was as spotless as ever. The aroma of dinner hung in the air, and Liam made his way to the dining room, finding his father sitting in his usual spot at the head of the table. Tall, elegant, with an imposing presence, his father was not only a renowned surgeon, but a man who commanded respect anywhere.
"You arrived on time," his father commented with a slight smile, watching him with pride.
Liam sat across from him and poured water into his glass. He was always like that. Always so tidy. So… normal.
"Your teacher called me today. She told me that you still hold the top spot in the class." His father's tone had that tinge of satisfaction that he usually conveyed when he spoke of Liam's accomplishments. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you," he replied with a small smile.
He had learned to live with his mother's absence. He knew his father missed her, too, even though they never talked about her. The subject had been buried, as if mentioning her name could bring back the pain they had worked so hard to control. But that didn't mean it didn't exist.
Liam loved his father. He admired him, even when the silence between them grew heavy. He knew his father did everything he could to keep him safe, to give him the best. In his own way, he cared for him. And that was enough.
While they ate dinner, his father told him about his day at the hospital, about the patients, the complicated surgeries, the upcoming conferences. Liam listened intently, nodding at the right moments, letting his voice fill the space. Because what was important wasn't the subject, but the fact that they talked. That they still had each other.
After dinner, he went up to his room and fell on his bed, staring at the ceiling in the dim light. His mother was gone, and nothing could change that. But his father was. And as long as he was there, Liam wouldn't let distance separate them.
Because, despite everything, he was still his son. And he loved him.
--
The night breeze came through the half-open window, causing the curtains to sway gently. Liam lay in bed, one arm over his eyes, letting the sound of the wind fill the emptiness of the room. There was no need to turn on the light. He knew every corner of this space, every object, every little detail. It was his refuge, his own world.
His phone vibrated on the nightstand.
He calmly took it and checked the screen. It was a message from his father.
Dad: "Don't forget to wrap up warm if you're going to sleep with the window open. Good night."
Liam smiled softly. His father wasn't one to express affection easily, but he showed it in small gestures. He remembered the times when his mother was the one who sent him similar messages, always concerned about the simplest details. Now, his father was the one trying to fill that space somehow.
He didn't answer. He didn't need to. He turned off the phone and closed his eyes, allowing the fatigue of the day to slowly envelop him.
The next morning started like any other.
Liam woke up early, took a cold shower, and dressed in his perfectly pressed uniform. When he went down to the kitchen, his father was already ready to go out. He was wearing his doctor's coat over a spotless shirt, his hair combed perfectly, and a calm expression on his face.
"Good morning." His father's tone was neutral, but with that hint of familiarity that Liam found comforting.
"Good morning." He poured himself some coffee and took a sip as he watched his father go through some paperwork.
They didn't talk much in the mornings, but it wasn't awkward. Their relationship had found a rhythm of its own over time. A silent balance where words weren't always necessary.
When his father finished organizing his papers, he turned to him.
—Don't forget that we're going out for dinner tonight. I have a meeting with some colleagues.
Liam nodded. It wasn't the first time his father had taken him to such events. He knew people were watching him with curiosity, gossiping about how well-educated and brilliant he was. "The son of a prodigy," "the young man with a promising future." They all expected him to follow in his father's footsteps.
They wouldn't mind fulfilling those expectations.
"See you tonight." His father patted him on the shoulder before heading out the door.
Liam stood in the kitchen for a moment, finishing his coffee, then grabbed his backpack to head to school.
---
The day passed without incident.
In class, everything was as usual. Teachers explained, students took notes, and Liam simply absorbed the information effortlessly. During lunch, his classmates surrounded him, chatting animatedly about sports, exams, and vacation plans.
Liam smiled, answering at the right time, but his mind was always elsewhere.
His life was seemingly perfect. And he made sure it looked that way himself.
When the last bell rang, he grabbed his bag and left the building. His father's limousine was already waiting for him at the entrance.
The chauffeur greeted him politely before opening the back door. Liam settled into the leather seat and let out a sigh as the car pulled away from the campus.
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the restaurant.
It was an exclusive place, reserved only for guests with an invitation. At the entrance, several men in suits were chatting animatedly, holding wine glasses elegantly. Upon seeing his father arrive, they greeted him enthusiastically.
"Dr. Archer! It's always a pleasure."
Liam followed him down and noticed the glances that fell on him. Some with interest, others with admiration.
"This is my son, Liam," his father said proudly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
The murmurs were not long in coming.
"Wow, he's a handsome young man." "They say you're a genius. Are you planning to study medicine like your father?"
"With that demeanor, you could be a model too."
Liam kept his composure, smiling politely.
"I'm still considering my options," he replied calmly.
His father smiled with satisfaction and led him to the table where they would dine with some of his colleagues.
The dinner was spent with conversations about complex surgeries, medical advances, and hospital anecdotes. Liam listened with interest, but at some point, his gaze wandered to the glass of water in front of him.
He wondered what it would have been like if his mother was there.
Would she look at him with pride too? Would she laugh softly every time he responded politely to the adults' comments?
He shook his head and dismissed the thought. He shouldn't think about it.
When dinner was over, his father looked at him with a calm expression.
"I'm proud of you."
Liam blinked.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I know these things aren't fun for you, but you keep coming without complaint."
For a moment, he felt something in his chest loosen a little.
"They don't bother me," he said quietly. "Besides, I know they're important to you."
His father watched him for a few seconds before letting out a light laugh.
"Sometimes I think you're more mature than me."
Liam smiled a little, and for the first time in a long time, dinner didn't just feel like a social event.
It felt like family.
---
When they got home, Liam said goodbye to his father and went up to his room. He plopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling with a strange sense of peace.
Despite everything, his life wasn't perfect. There were things that could never change. His mother would never come back. And the weight of her absence would always be there.
But he still had his father.
And for now, that was enough.