A memorable day

The Next Morning – De Moda's House

Adam arrived early in the morning, making a quick stop at De Moda's house before leaving for his business trip.

De Moda welcomed him into the living room and handed him a cup of tea. But despite the polite gesture, the atmosphere was tense.

Finally, De Moda leaned forward, his tone sharp. "After everything I told you, you still want to meet that scum. He abandoned his own son, cut all ties with him—what good could possibly come from a conversation?"

He let out a frustrated sigh. "I just don't understand what's going through your head."

Adam exhaled slowly, rubbing his forehead. He already felt drained. "What other choice do I have? My priority is Lisa and Aryan, not Eron.

What can I do if she doesn't want to live under the same roof with Eron?"

De Moda's expression darkened. "I can't blame Lisa for that."

He placed his cup on the table with a quiet clink before looking Adam straight in the eye. "Her entire family was murdered by your sister, Adam. You expect her to just accept that woman's son like nothing happened?" Adam stayed quiet. "If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't be able to do it either."

After a brief pause, De Moda leaned back. "Why not send Eron to a boarding school?"

Adam shook his head. "You think I haven't considered that?"

"Then why not do it?"

"Because it's not possible. He's only eight. Most schools won't take him until he's at least thirteen."

De Moda frowned, considering the situation. "And Aryan? How's he treating Eron?"

Adam hesitated. "Aryan… likes him. He actually seems happy to have a playmate."

De Moda's expression hardened. "Does Aryan even know who Eron really is?"

Adam's answer came quickly. "No. He hasn't asked, and I haven't told him. Lisa stays quiet about it too. For now, I've just introduced Eron as a child staying with us."

De Moda's patience snapped. "Are you serious right now?"

His voice rose sharply, only for him to take a deep breath and glance around, regaining his composure. Lowering his tone, he spoke with cold precision.

"Adam, do you even understand the consequences of what you're doing? After four years of living with you both, Aryan is finally starting to accept you as his parents. Do you ever think, what happens if he finds out the truth? 

Don't let him feel betrayed."

Adam sighed, leaning forward. "That's exactly why I need to meet that scum."

De Moda narrowed his eyes. "And you think that'll solve anything?"

Adam's expression hardened. "What else I can do? I can't leave Eron to my uncle's care when I know what the vulture will do with that child. Especially in this situation, we don't have a biological child and Eron became the only direct bloodline of the De Vilan family." 

De Moda crossed his arms, skeptical. "I understand, but you really think that guy is going to take responsibility.

That man moved on, Adam. He married into a powerful family in Germany after divorcing Eiana. Also, his current wife is pregnant. In a situation like that, do you really think he'll take in a son he's never even acknowledged?"

His voice dropped, more serious now. "Even if you do find him, do you honestly believe he'd give up his comfortable life for a kid he never wanted in the first place?"

"Then what should I do? If you have an answer, then tell me. I will do as you say...

He is a kid, not a stray animal that I can leave it anywhere as I wish after picking up." Frustratingly Adam said.

"Cool down, we can find a solution." Taking out a file from the side table, De Moda give it to Adam. "It's that bastard's current address. Find him and have a talk. If he doesn't agree, we will think about a solution then." Taking the file, Adam leaves from there. 

...

Later at De Vilan Mansion

"Mom, my cute mom, can I go to the beach with Marco?"

No, that's too cheesy…

"Mom, this weekend, can I go to the beach? Marco's coming too."

Eh… still weird.

Standing in front of the mirror, I tried various ways to convince Lisa. Now that I had decided to take Eron along, convincing her felt like the real challenge.

A sudden chuckle from behind startled me. Spinning around, I found Lisa standing by the door.

She heard everything.

"Is it really that hard for you to ask me something so simple?" she teased, amused.

"T-that…" I stammered, caught off guard.

Lisa stepped closer, gently taking my hands in hers. "Aryan, always remember—there's nothing more important to me than you and Adam. Whatever you wish for, I'm here to make it happen."

Taking a deep breath, I finally said it.

"Mom, Marco asked me if I'm free this weekend for a small beach trip. I… I want to see the beach."

"Okay." She agreed instantly.

I hesitated before adding, "Can I take Eron with me?"

Lisa's smile faltered. Her expression darkened slightly.

"Why do you want to take him? Isn't Marco coming with you?"

"Mom…" I started, but before I could say anything more, another voice cut in.

"Of course, I'll be there too! But Aunt Lisa, doesn't Aryan need someone to take care of his stuff while we're having fun?"

I turned to see Marco, casually leaning against the doorway.

Where the hell did he come from?!

But surprisingly, his words worked like magic. Lisa paused, thinking it over, before finally nodding in agreement.

The Day of the Trip

Lisa meticulously packed all the necessary items for the trip—extra clothes, sunscreen, and a selection of small snacks—before handing them to Eron.

"Make sure the young master is comfortable at all times. It's your responsibility. Stay alert, understood?" Lisa's maid relayed the message to Eron, her tone firm.

Lisa then turned to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Aryan, always put your safety first. Listen to Mrs. Lily [Marco's nanny]. Don't talk to strangers, and if anything happens, find an adult or call me immediately. You remember the emergency number, right?"

With this, it the tenth time, I'm hearing it. I repeatedly nodded.

Her gaze briefly looked at Eron before she added, almost absentmindedly, "I packed your favorite sandwiches. Eat when you're hungry. There's plenty, so share if you want."

At the Beach

The moment we arrived, Eron reached for the picnic basket assigned to him. But just as he was about to carry it, Mrs. Lily took it from his small hands.

"It's not a child's job. Go and enjoy yourself."

Eron hesitated, his green eyes filled with uncertainty.

Before he could overthink it, I grabbed his hand.

"Are you going to stand here all day? Come on."

I led him toward the water.

As soon as the vast ocean stretched before us, Eron froze. His eyes widened in wonder, completely mesmerized by the deep blue waves.

"It looks like your eyes."

I blinked, surprised.

Eron turned to me, his expression completely sincere. "Sparkling blue."

His words caught me off guard, and I felt my face heat up slightly.

Such direct compliments are rare…

Tentatively, Eron stepped into the water, letting the cool waves lap against his feet. The sensation made him gasp softly, as if he wasn't sure whether to pull back or step further in.

Just as I was about to comment, a sudden splash of seawater hit us!

"Gotcha!"

We turned to see Marco, grinning mischievously.

Oh, it's war. 

Without hesitation, I splashed water on Marco as seeing it, Eron also join the fight.

Laughter echoed across the shore as we chased each other through the surf, splashing and diving into the waves.

Time slipped away, unnoticed.

The day passed far too quickly, but in the end, it became a memory worth keeping. A day filled with laughter, friendship, and joy. I wished we stay together like this.

....

Two weeks later, Adam returned from his business trip, feeling drained and frustrated. His plan had completely fallen apart.

Eron's father had refused to take him in, making it clear that his new life came first. He didn't want the responsibility, and he didn't care what happened to his son.

With no other options, Adam convinced Lisa to let Eron stay a little longer, promising that once he turned thirteen, he would be sent to a boarding school.

Lisa was reluctant, but in the end, she agreed—on the condition that this arrangement was temporary.

But life had its own plans. As time passed, things didn't go as planned.

What was supposed to be a few years of patience gradually stretched into something much longer.

And before they knew it, seven years had passed.