Chapter 22


    Hazel hurried off to work, her determination evident in her brisk pace. Upon her arrival, she called for


    an urgent meeting with the Starlight. team, delivering the important announcement about the


    termination of their contract. The moment her words reached their ears, the Starlight workers sprang


    into action with unwaveringmitment.


    The office atmosphere buzzed with a palpable sense of urgency and hope. Their desks were cluttered


    with blueprints, design drafts, and countless ideas. It was a frenzy of creativity and determination as


    they embarked on the task of restructuring and redesigning their project.


    The team understood the high stakes involved; Tesco Empire demanded nothing but the best.


    Moreover, they were aware that other prominentpanies would be fiercelypeting for the


    contract. This realization fueled their motivation as they aimed to rise to the challenge and excel in


    every aspect of their work.


    Ethan sat restlessly in his office, a storm of annoyance brewing within him. The day had started on an


    unpleasant note, and his mind was far from the matters at hand.


    Just then, Axel, his trusted employee, entered the room with a crucial announcement. “Sir, the board


    members are already assembled and waiting,” Axel informed, his toneced with a sense of urgency.


    Ethan’s reaction was immediate; he sprang from his chair and promptly exited his office, striding


    purposefully toward the boardroom.


    Upon entering the boardroom, a hush fell over the room. The usual murmur of conversations ceased


    abruptly as Ethan’s presence loomed.rge. An inexplicable air of tension hung in the atmosphere,


    leaving the board members feeling uneasy. Though they couldn’t pinpoint the cause, an ominous aura


    seemed to envelop their boss.


    Taking his seat at the head of the long table, Ethan wasted no time in directing the meeting to


    forming on his forehead. Anxiety radiated from him as he stood before the projector board, and even


    his ent appeared to irk Ethan slightly, manifesting in a faint scowl.


    The presentation proceeded, but Ethan’s focus remained divided. His irritation, more pronounced than


    usual that morning, colored his perception of the proceedings. He watched the presentation put forth by


    his employees with growing disinterest and a rising sense of irritation.


    Ethan’s day was taking a turn for the worse, his thoughts involuntarily drifting toward his wife. The


    previous night had been marked by her incessantints about histe returns from the office, and


    it seemed that his prolonged hours at work were making his home an increasingly ufortable ce.


    The once cozy sanctuary had transformed into a battleground due to Be’s demanding and


    contentious nature.


    As he nced at his phone, a slideshow of pictures featuring Liam and Hazel filled his screen. Ethan


    couldn’t help but feel an unexpected attachment to them, a sentiment he hadn’t anticipated.


    His reverie was abruptly interrupted when Axel called out to him, snapping him back to reality. Ethan’s


    head snapped upright, and he realized that the entire room was focused on him.


    “Finished?” he inquired sourly, his demeanor reflecting his foul mood. The presenter, aware of the


    boss’s irritable state, nodded hesitantly. Ethan seemed like an angered beast, ready to pounce at any


    moment. His fingers drummed lightly on the table, a sign of his restlessness.


    “That will be all,” he dismissed curtly, swiftly rising from his chair and leaving the room in a hurry. The


    employees exchanged puzzled nces, exhaling collective sighs of relief. It was unusual for the boss


    to remain uncharacteristically passive during a presentation, let alone failing to critique it.


    Inside his office, Axel followed after Ethan, witnessing his boss removing his suit jacket as he entered.


    “Have Devin arrange a field day for Tiny Tots,” Ethan instructed abruptly. “Right now?” Axel queried, a


    hint of confusion in his voice.


    “Yes,” Ethan replied tersely. Axel stood momentarily bewildered.


    With a sigh, he reached for his phone to make the necessary arrangements before Ethan added


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    another unexpected request. “And… get me some casual clothes, Ethan instructed.


    “Casual clothes?” Axel repeated, perplexed by the request.


    Yes. A jean perhaps.”


    It was field day at Tiny Tots, and the excitement among the children was


    palpable. They formed a cheerful line and entered a bus that the school had thoughtfully provided for


    their adventure. The kids chatted with each other, their voices bubbling with enthusiasm.


    The bus eventually came to a halt in a nearby exclusive park where arrangements had been made for


    a delightful pic. The children’s eyes. widened as they beheld the feastid out before them. Excited


    squeals filled the air as they eagerly anticipated their meal.


    After eating, the children wasted no time in exploring the recreational equipment provided for them. The


    park, being exclusive and closed off to outsiders, allowed the kids the freedom to roam and y


    without any worries.


    Amid theughter and yfulness, Liam decided to stroll off on his own. He clutched his crayons and


    drawing book, longing for a quiet spot to finish his drawing. He wandered away from the boisterous


    crowd, seeking sce in the peaceful surroundings.


    However, his solitude was short-lived as two other little boys approached him, urging him to join in a


    game of cops and robbers.” Liam shook his head, adamantly refusing their invitation.


    “Come on,” they insisted, trying to convince him. In their enthusiasm, they shook him roughly, causing


    him to stumble and fall. Liam let out a cry of surprise and difort.


    A protective voice intervened, growling at the boys. “Hey! Don’t do that.” It was a stern warning, and the


    two boys quickly retreated and ran off, leaving Liam behind.


    Struggling to stand up, Liam felt a sting on his knee and fought back tears. He whispered, “I’m okay,”


    but couldn’t help sobbing softly as he brushed himself off.


    A kind and gentle hand reached out, offering help. “Are you okay?” the soothing voice inquired. Liam


    nodded with a small, trembling pout while trying to wipe away his tears.


    Examining Liam’s scraped knee, the stranger picked him up and cradled him gently. The little boy


    foundfort in the man’s arms, and his so b s began to subside. “There, there, it’s okay,” the man


    reassured him as he headed toward the exit of the secluded park.


    As they left, Devin, who had been overseeing the field day, approached, concerned. “Is there a


    problem, boss?” he asked.


    Ethan, now carrying Liam, shook his head, his expression showing a mix of concern and care. “No, no


    problem, he replied, his protective instincts kicking in as heforted the young child in his arms.


    Still holding Liam, Ethan headed to a small, nearby store. The shop was empty of customers but fully


    stocked with various items. He found a quiet corner and carefully sat down, cradling the young boy in


    his arms.


    Gently, Ethan began to remove Liam’s shoe and stockings, inspecting his injured knee. Tofort the


    child, he purchased a loll*pop from the store, offering it to Liam while he tended to the scraped knee.


    As Ethan worked on cleaning the bloodied leg, Liam’s curiosity got the better of him. “Do I know you?”


    he asked, wiping his eyes. The man before him felt strangely familiar, yet Liam couldn’t quite ce


    where he had seen him before.


    “I don’t think so,” Ethan replied, finishing his task and leaning back in his


    seat.


    Liam’s young mind was filled with the cautionary lessons he had been taught by his mother about not


    going off with strangers. He felt conflicted but oddly at ease in this man’s presence. “Mummy said I


    shouldn’t go off with strangers, he mused aloud, his gaze fixed on Ethan.


    Ethan met Liam’s gaze calmly. “Do you want to go back?” he asked, his tone gentle and reassuring.


    Liam hesitated, his eyes darting around the quiet and peaceful store. “It’s quiet here,” he remarked, a


    hint of contentment in his voice. The store offered a sense of tranquility that contrasted with the noisy


    ytime of the other kids at the park.


    “Do you work at my school?” Liam asked, gazing at Ethan with curious


    eyes.


    Ethan considered his response for a moment. Well, he did technically own the school now. “Yes,” he


    replied, his gaze gentle as he looked at the young boy.


    Liam, though clearly still a child, had a certain maturity in his demeanor and speech that caught Ethan’s


    attention. “How old are you?” Ethan inquired, genuinely interested.


    I’m four years old, Liam replied, the loll*pop still in his mouth. He was quick to return the question. “How


    old are you?” he asked, his curiosity


    shining through. Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.


    “I am thirty years old, pup,” Ethan responded with a smile. He watched ast Liam focused on his paper


    and pencils.


    The little boy’s mood soured momentarily as he grunted in


    disappointment. His paper was torn, and his pencils seemed to have disappeared. Ethan, noticing his


    distress, quickly procured another sheet of paper for him.


    Liam got to work with renewed passion, doodling away. The atmosphere. in the store was calm and


    soothing, with the distant sounds of children. ying outside providing a pleasant background noise.


    Liam appeared to be deeply engrossed in his drawing. He was a quiet child who often preferred


    solitude, avoiding the noisy chaos of his peers.


    Curious about Liam’s art, Ethan pointed at one of the drawings. “Who’s this?” he asked.


    Liam looked up, a bright smile on his face. “This is mommy,” he replied. proudly.


    Ethan chuckled at the child’s depiction, which bore little resemnce to Hazel. “She’s beautiful,” he


    remarked sincerely.


    “Yes! Mummy’s really pretty. I love mummy,” Liam replied dreamily, his adoration for his mother shining


    through his innocent eyes.


    “Would you also give me a nice drawing?” Ethan asked the young artist, his tone polite and curious.


    Liam adopted a contemtive expression, weighing the request. After a brief moment of thought, he


    reached out for a fresh sheet of paper and promptly began sketching.


    “But, your friends are having fun. You sure you don’t wanna go?” Ethan inquired, showing genuine


    concern for the boy’s well-being.


    Liam shook his head, his hair falling gracefully around his face. “Kids are noisy, he stated with a hint of


    distaste, which earned a heartyugh from Ethan. The little boy seemed wise beyond his years.


    But you’re also a kid. Aren’t you?” Ethan asked, his amusement still evident.


    Liam shrugged nonchntly, his mannerisms reflecting a level of


    maturity beyond his age. He then looked intently at Ethan, his eyes. narrowed in serious contemtion.


    “Mr., you sure I don’t know you?” Liam asked once more, the furrows on his young brow deepening.


    Ethan found the boy’s curiosity endearing. “Why? Do I look like someone you know?” he inquired with a


    yful grin.


    “Do you have a twin?” Liam continued his questioning, his young mind trying to make a connection.


    “You look like that guy that bullied Daisy,” he said with a faint frown.


    “Daisy?” Ethan queried, genuinely curious now.


    “My little sister,” Liam rified, adding that touch of sibling affection.


    Ethan noted to himself that, despite being twins, Liam still considered Daisy his “little” sister, finding her


    cute.


    “What if I was him?” Ethan prodded, curious to see how Liam’s perception would evolve.


    “No, you’re not. That guy was big and grumpy and he looked mean. He also looked really important; he


    was in a suit. You don’t look important,” Liam dered, offering a childlike but astute analysis of


    Ethan’s


    appearance.


    Ethan couldn’t help but burst intoughter at the boy’s candid evaluation. Despite Liam’s initial


    impression, Ethan found himself charmed by the young boy.


    Liam, momentarily offended, stopped his drawing and folded his arms in protest. “Am sorry,” he said


    between chuckles.


    Ethan ruffled Liam’s hair gently, appreciating his candid nature. “Then why did youe with me?” he


    asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity. Ethan couldn’t believe he was having such a profound


    conversation with a four-year-old; the child was exceptionally bright.


    Once more, Liam simply shrugged, his attention now focused on his bandaged knee. “I guess I like


    you,” he replied casually, as if stating the most natural thing in the world.


    With Liam’s drawing nowplete, he handed it to Ethan, who paused to look down at the little boy.


    His genuine smile shone brightly. Thank you, Liam, Ethan said warmly.


    Liam froze, his brow furrowing in confusion. “How did you know my name?” he asked, his inquisitive


    eyes narrowing slightly.


    Ethan offered a nonchnt shrug this time, opting to keep his identity hidden from the child. Liam let


    out a small yawn, signaling his growing hunger.


    “It’s lunchtime already. You must be hungry,” Ethan observed. He reached. out to help Liam into his


    shoes. Although the injury was minor, Ethan couldn’t resist the urge to carry the young boy. With Liam


    cradled in hist arms, Ethan couldn’t help but bury his face in the child’s hair, which carried the familiar


    scent of Hazel.


    At that


    fallenent, everything e


    faded into the background. Ethan had


    fallen in love with Hazel’s children, and he wished to have one just like them.


    As they approached the group of children, Ethan gently ced Liam on the ground. The young boy


    turned to him with gratitude in his eyes.


    “Thank you, Mr…?” Liam trailed off, waiting for Ethan toplete the introduction.


    Ethan hesitated for a moment, aware that Hazel might not appreciate her/ children meeting with him,


    despite his harmless intentions. Names eluded him in that moment, and he nced around for


    inspiration.


    “Butterfly?” No, he quickly dismissed the whimsical thought. “Wood. Mr. Wood,” he replied with a


    reassuring nod.


    “Okay. Thank you, Mr. Wood,” Liam said politely, finally joining the group of his peers.