Chapter 13 Chapter 13
Chapter 13 Chapter 13
“Are you coming out, or should I grow old out here?”
The words slipped out of Adrian’s mouth before he could stop them, half a joke, half a confession of how tightly wound he felt. He stood in the quiet corridor outside Lena’s office at Stellar Furnishings, his hands buried in his pockets, his shoulders stiff. Every few seconds, he checked his watch. Every few seconds after that, he told himself to stop checking.
His mind refused to settle.
Milo.
The name alone made something twist painfully in his chest.
A son. He had a son.
For years, he had walked through life thinking he had lost everything when he lost Lena. Now he knew the truth was worse—and somehow, also better. He hadn’t just lost a wife. He had lost years with his child. First steps he never saw. First words he never heard. Nights he should have been there and wasn’t.
The realization sat heavy on his shoulders, like a weight he couldn’t shrug off.
He wanted to make up for it. He didn’t even know how—but he wanted to try. Desperately.
The office door finally opened.
Lena stepped out, her bag on her shoulder, her expression calm but guarded. She gave him a small, measured nod, the kind that said she was ready—but also bracing herself to reveal the truth.
“Are you ready?” she asked quietly. “To finally meet Milo properly?”
Adrian swallowed. “I am. I’m just… nervous. I don’t know how he’ll feel about me. But I want to do this. I want to be there.”
She studied him for a moment, as if weighing his words, then turned toward the elevator. “Let’s go pick him up.”
They walked in tense silence to the parking lot. The evening air was warm, but Adrian felt cold anyway. His heart was pounding so loudly he was sure Lena could hear it.
In the car, even with the air conditioning on, he couldn’t sit still. His fingers drummed against his knee. He kept glancing at her, then looking away, then glancing again.
“Does he… know anything about me?” he finally asked.
Lena kept her eyes on the road. “Some things. Not everything. I’m going to explain it to him properly tonight.”
“What did you tell him?” Adrian asked.
She hesitated. “I told him his father loves him very much. But couldn’t be with us.”
Guilt hit him like a punch to the chest. “I should have been there.”
Lena didn’t answer. She just kept driving.
They pulled up outside Milo’s school, just as children were streaming out with laughter and noise and bouncing backpacks. Adrian’s breath caught when he saw his small boy come running out, his bag thumping against his back, his face bright with excitement.
“My baby!” Lena called.
He ran straight to her and hugged her tightly. “Mom! Guess what? We drew dinosaurs today and my teacher said mine was the best and—”
He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Adrian standing a few steps behind her.
His eyes widened. “It’s you! The nice man from the elevator!”
Adrian crouched slightly and smiled. “Hi, Milo. I’m surprised you still remember me. I see you have a good memory.”
Milo grinned. “I knew it! Mommy, he’s the man who helped me before!”
“Yes,” Lena said gently. “He is.”
Milo tilted his head. “Why is he here?”
Lena hesitated, then said, “He’s a friend for now. We’ll talk more at home, okay?”
Milo shrugged, satisfied. He took her hand, and they started toward the car. Adrian followed, unable to take his eyes off his son—his son—amazed by how lively and polite and full of energy he was.
At home, Milo burst inside, dropping his bag near the door. “Can I watch cartoons? Or play with my cars?”
“Not yet,” Lena said. “Go get cleaned up first.” She turned to Adrian. “Make yourself comfortable.”
He sat on the couch, his nerves climbing with every second. This was it. The truth was coming.
A little while later, Lena returned with Milo, now in pajamas, his hair still slightly damp and neatly brushed.
“You look very sharp,” Adrian said.
Milo laughed. “The elevator man says I’m sharp! While mom says I’m very handsome.”
Lena sat down and pulled Milo close. “Do you remember what I told you about your dad?”
Milo nodded. “You said he loves me but couldn’t stay.”
She took a breath. “I wasn’t completely honest. Adrian isn’t just the nice man from the elevator. He’s… your father.”
Milo stared at them, blinking rapidly.
Adrian leaned forward, his lips almost quivering. “It’s true. And I’m really happy to meet you, Milo.”
For a second, there was only silence from him. Silence that had Lena and Adrian’s heart beating faster than normal.
They both had different thoughts running through their minds at that moment. Lena, worried her son might get angry at her.
Adrian, worried Milo might not accept him as his dad or see him as a nice man anymore.
To their utmost surprise, Milo ran forward and hugged Adrian tightly. “Hi, Dad.”
Adrian’s arms wrapped around him automatically, his eyes burning. “Hi, son.”
Milo pulled back and said seriously, “You must be a good dad. You helped me even before you knew who I was.”
Lena watched, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
They had dinner together. Milo talked nonstop about school, cartoons, friends, toys. Adrian listened to every word like it was treasure.
Later, Milo asked, “Can Dad tuck me in?”
After a pause, Lena nodded reluctantly.
Adrian carried him, tucked him in, and said goodnight.
“I’m glad you’re my dad,” Milo said sleepily.
“I’m glad too,” Adrian whispered.
When Milo was asleep, Lena led Adrian out and closed the door.
Back in the living room, Adrian said quietly, “I should probably go.”
Lena didn’t answer. Instead, she slowly slid her robe from her shoulders, displaying her nakedness.
“I’m not here for this, Lena,” Adrian said, remembering how she had treated him the other morning— she immediately touched his already bulged dick, he lost his breath instantly, lifted her, and carried her toward the bedroom.
As he shoved her room door open, Lena smiled in quiet satisfaction as she wrapped her arms around his neck.