Chapter 5: The Wound Behind the Smile

Spring hadn't fully arrived, but the cold had begun to relent. Wildflowers dared to bloom on the streets, signaling new hope. But not for Julian. Inside him, another storm was brewing.

That morning, he left earlier than usual. Nora watched from the doorway, as always. She was never one for excessive chatter or unsolicited advice. Yet for some reason, today she held her breath a little longer as Julian's back retreated into the distance.

At ten o'clock, a call came through to Nora's office. An unknown number—from the local high school.

"Mrs. Nora?"

"Yes."

"We regret to inform you that Julian... was involved in an incident. He's in the infirmary now."

Nora's heart stopped momentarily.

"What happened?"

"He got into a fight. And... has a minor injury on his temple."

She didn't wait for her supervisor's approval. She just grabbed her coat and left.

---

Nora arrived with quick steps. In the infirmary, Julian sat on the bed with a bandage on his temple. His smile appeared the moment he saw her.

"You came."

Nora approached. "What happened?"

Julian shrugged. "Couldn't stand watching another kid get bullied. He was weaker, didn't fight back. So—yeah, I stepped in."

"And you thought that was the right thing to do?"

Julian met her gaze. "Yes."

Nora exhaled. She bent down, examining his wound with suddenly gentle fingers. Julian suppressed a smile.

"You mad?"

"I'm not mad," Nora said quietly. "I was... scared."

Julian stared at her. For a long time.

"You care?"

"You live with me. Of course I care."

Nora's voice was low but firm. No pretense. Just crystal-clear honesty. Julian nodded slowly. He knew that answer was more than enough.

---

On the bus ride home, they sat side by side. The streets were empty. Julian gazed out the window, then suddenly spoke:

"I graduate in three months."

Nora turned. "And?"

"I don't know where to go after that."

"You can stay until you figure it out."

Julian was silent for a beat. "Is that an offer... or just small talk?"

"I don't do small talk, Julian."

He looked at Nora. Then, a small smile appeared. "Then... can I be part of your family?"

The question hung in the air. The bus crawled slowly down the wet road.

Nora stared straight ahead. But her lips moved softly, almost a whisper.

"You already are."

---

That night, as rain fell again, Julian sat in his room, watching the sky through his small window. He remembered all the places he'd stayed. All the people who'd turned him away. All the nights spent under bridges, in front of closed shops, or at the old train station.

And now, in this house... he even got warm soup and a pair of eyes that didn't glare when he caused trouble.

He bent down, writing on a blank sheet:

*"You don't realize it, but from the day you paid for my bread at the bakery, I knew I wanted to stay near you. Not because you're kind... but because you're honest. And honesty... is the rarest thing I've ever found in this life."*

Julian folded the paper, tucking it into a book he'd borrowed from the living room shelf. Not to be read now. Maybe someday. When he was no longer just a boy sneaking into someone else's home... but someone who belonged there.

---

And that night, after all the lights were out, Nora stood outside his door. She didn't enter. Just stood there, watching the sliver of nightlight seeping from under Julian's door.

She didn't understand how the boy had slipped so quietly into her life. But one thing was certain—since that day... she was no longer truly alone.

And she knew, soon, she'd have to make a big decision.

About status. About ties. About the boy she'd only ever referred to as a housemate.

Maybe it was time... to call him her son.

---

After their usual quiet dinner, Julian washed the dishes without being asked. He seemed calm, but his hands moved too quickly for someone unhurried.

Nora observed from the sofa. She rarely spoke when tired, but tonight, her mind kept replaying Julian's words on the bus:

*"Can I be part of your family?"*

A simple sentence, yet it cut deep.

She stood, walking slowly to the kitchen. Her voice was low but steady: "You can sleep early tonight. I'll finish the dishes."

Julian turned, smiling. "Afraid I'll ruin your plates?"

"No. I just know you need rest."

Julian turned off the tap. He studied her briefly before saying softly, "I... just remembered something. About my mother."

Nora didn't respond, but didn't move either. Julian pulled out a chair, sitting down carefully.

"I don't have many memories, just one—my mom gave me chocolate bread on my birthday, before she... left. When I smelled it at the bakery the other day, it was like going back in time." His eyes lowered. "Thought I'd forgotten."

Nora sat across from him, silent. She knew this wasn't the time to interrupt.

Julian continued, "You know? Back then, I hated the world. Then I saw a stranger pay for two loaves for some kid she didn't even know."

A bitter chuckle.

"Strangely... I never felt judged by you."

Nora looked away. She hated being the center of anyone's story.

"You don't owe me anything, Julian."

"I don't feel owed. I just feel... grateful."

A pause between them. A silence not awkward, but heavy with unspoken words.

Nora then stood, taking an empty glass and murmuring, "You're off tomorrow, right?"

Julian nodded.

"You're coming with me."

"Where?"

"To where I keep the part of myself I never show."

Julian frowned. "Is this... a secret museum?"

Nora scoffed, walking away. "Ten a.m. Don't be late."

Julian nodded, and silently, grinned wide.

---

The next morning was brighter than usual. Nora waited at the bus stop with two tickets in hand. Julian arrived with his usual messy hair, but his jacket was clean and his bag less chaotic than normal.

"Morning," he chirped.

Nora only glanced. "No breakfast?"

Julian held up a bag of plain bread. "A working-class breakfast."

They boarded a bus different from their usual route—not toward downtown or the market, but to a quieter, more secluded area.

After an hour, they arrived at a simple cream-colored building with black iron gates and a small garden.

"What is this place?" Julian asked.

Nora gazed at the structure. "Where my mother used to live."

Julian froze. "Your mother?"

Nora nodded. "Before I succeeded, before I had anything, I lived here. With an old woman harder than stone. But she's the only reason I survived."

She walked through the gate.

"I've never brought anyone here. Not even my closest friend."

Julian swallowed. "Then why me?"

Nora didn't answer until they'd sat on a bench in the backyard.

"You're not just some kid I helped, Julian. You're the first person who made me wonder—what it means to 'have' someone."

Julian didn't know how to respond. But one thing he knew—his heart was beating faster than usual.

"And starting today," Nora continued, "I won't call you 'that boy' in my thoughts anymore."

She looked at him deeply.

"You'll be part of my life, fully. I'll handle the paperwork, file for guardianship. If you agree."

Julian opened his mouth, but no sound came. His eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"You're serious...?"

"Nothing more serious."

And for the first time, Julian was speechless. He only nodded slowly, and in that silence, a promise took root in his heart.

That from today onward... he was no longer a stray.

He was the son of the woman he never expected to save him.