Chapter 59: Jhon's Shadow

The dawn brought a heavy, tense atmosphere. Adrien had stayed up all night, watching every movement from the window of the small apartment. Although he hadn't seen anything suspicious, his instincts told him something was about to happen.

Ana, on the other hand, tried to remain calm for Luca’s sake. Adrien's presence in the house gave her a sense of security, but she couldn't ignore the unease Clara's warning had planted.

—I'm going out for a moment —Adrien announced as he put on his jacket.

Ana looked at him from the kitchen, where she was preparing breakfast.

—Where are you going?

—I just want to take a walk around the neighborhood. See if I notice anything unusual. I won't be long.

—Be careful —she replied, her voice heavy with concern.

Adrien nodded and left the apartment. He walked along the quiet streets, observing every corner, every parked car, every face that passed by. Then he saw him: a tall, elegant man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, standing next to a dark car at the end of the street. Adrien recognized him instantly. It was Jhon, his mother’s assistant.

Adrien's blood ran cold. He clenched his fists and walked toward him with determined steps.

—What are you doing here, Jhon? —he asked, his voice full of restrained fury.

Jhon didn’t seem surprised. He gave a small smile and adjusted his glasses.

—Adrien, what a coincidence running into you here.

—Don’t play games with me. I saw you lurking around this house last night. Why are you watching us?

Jhon sighed and crossed his arms.

—It’s nothing personal, Adrien. Your mother is worried. She wants to make sure you’re okay.

—Worried? —Adrien let out a bitter laugh. —Is that how she shows it? Sending someone to spy on me instead of just calling?

—You know how she is. She prefers to handle things her way.

Adrien stepped closer, his gaze intense.

—Tell her I don’t need her protection or her attempts to control me. I’m here for my son and Ana. I don’t want her interfering.

Jhon raised his hands in a gesture of calm.

—I understand, Adrien. But you should know she won’t stop. She’s convinced this situation isn’t good for you.

Adrien gritted his teeth, trying to contain his anger.

—Tell her that if she truly cares, she should stay away. This has nothing to do with her.

Jhon observed him for a moment, as if he wanted to say something more, but finally nodded.

—I’ll relay your message. But be careful, Adrien. Don’t underestimate your mother.

Without waiting for a response, Jhon got into the car and drove away, leaving Adrien consumed by a growing sense of unease.

When he returned to the apartment, Ana greeted him with a worried look.

—What happened? —she asked.

Adrien took off his jacket and tossed it on the sofa.

—It was Jhon, my mother’s assistant. She sent him here to keep an eye on us.

Ana frowned, crossing her arms.

—Why would she do that?

—Because she can’t accept that I’ve made my own decisions. She always needs to control everything, even when she has no right to.

Ana looked at him silently for a moment, noticing the mix of frustration and sadness on his face. Finally, she stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm.

—You’re not alone in this, Adrien. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.

Adrien nodded, grateful for her words. But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning. If his mother was involved, things were bound to get more complicated.

In Paris, winter wrapped the city in its icy air and gray skies. Mateo, who usually filled Margaret’s apartment with laughter and curious questions, was quieter than ever. His small figure remained slumped by the window, staring at the horizon as if waiting for Adrien to appear suddenly.

—Mateo, sweetheart, come eat something —Margaret called from the kitchen, trying to sound cheerful.

—I’m not hungry, Mom —the boy replied without moving, his voice subdued.

Margaret set down the plate she was holding and walked over to him. She knelt beside him, wrapping an arm around his small shoulders.

—What’s wrong, my love? Why are you so sad?

Mateo looked up, his big eyes brimming with tears.

—I miss Adrien. He promised he’d come back soon, but it’s been a long time. Why hasn’t he called?

Margaret’s heart tightened at the sight of her son’s anguish. She knew Adrien was going through something important in Argentina, but she couldn’t explain it to Mateo without worrying him further.

—He loves you very much, Mateo. And I’m sure he’s thinking about you all the time.

Mateo wiped his tears with the back of his hand, but his sadness remained.

—Why can’t I go find him? If he’s far away, maybe he doesn’t know how to come back.

Margaret swallowed hard. She needed help, someone who could distract Mateo and bring some joy to his life while Adrien was away. After thinking for a moment, she picked up her phone and dialed a number she didn’t expect to use.

—Lorenzo?

A deep voice answered on the other end of the line.

—Margaret, what a surprise. Is everything okay?

—I need a favor, Lorenzo —she said, her tone showing more vulnerability than she intended. —It’s Mateo. He’s very sad because Adrien isn’t here, and I don’t know how to help him.

There was a brief silence before Lorenzo spoke.

—Do you want me to stop by?

Margaret sighed in relief at his willingness.

—Yes, please. He loves you so much, and I think seeing you would do him good.

—I’ll be there in an hour —Lorenzo replied and hung up.

Margaret returned to Mateo’s side and kissed his head.

—Sweetheart, someone special is coming to see you.

—Adrien? —Mateo asked, hopeful.

Margaret shook her head gently, trying not to break his heart.

—No, but it’s someone who loves you very much.

When Lorenzo arrived, Mateo ran to him with open arms, seeking comfort in his presence. Lorenzo lifted him into the air and made him laugh with one of his playful remarks, momentarily easing the boy’s sadness.

Margaret watched the scene from a distance, grateful for the temporary relief. But deep down, she knew that until Adrien returned, a part of Mateo would remain incomplete.