Chapter 15 Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Chapter 15
“Daddy, hurry up! You’re too slow!”

Milo’s small hand tugged insistently at Adrian’s, his voice bright and impatient as he tried to pull him toward the playground. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting dancing shadows on the paved path, and the air was filled with the sound of children laughing, parents calling out warnings, and the distant squeak of swings in motion.

Adrian laughed, the sound warm and unguarded. “Easy there, champ. You’re going to pull my arm off at this rate.”

Milo only grinned and tugged harder, his cap slipping slightly to one side. Adrian reached out and gently adjusted it, angling the brim to shield his son’s eyes from the sun.

“There,” he said softly. “Can’t have you squinting all day.”

Milo looked up at him, eyes bright. “I’m not scared of the sun.”

“I know,” Adrian said, smiling. “But your dad is.”

The word dad still felt strange on his tongue—new, fragile, and precious all at once. Every time he thought about it, a mix of joy and guilt tightened in his chest. He had missed so much. First steps. First words. First days at school. And now here he was, walking beside his son in a park, trying to pretend he hadn’t lost years he could never get back.

“So, boss,” Adrian said, forcing his thoughts back to the present, “where to first?”

Milo didn’t even hesitate. “The swings!”

“Of course,” Adrian chuckled. “Lead the way.”

Milo ran ahead, nearly tripping in his excitement. Adrian followed quickly, his eyes never leaving the boy for more than a second. When they reached the swings, he lifted Milo up and set him carefully onto one, making sure his small hands were wrapped tightly around the chains.

“Ready?” Adrian asked.

“Yes!”

He gave a gentle push. Milo laughed, the sound ringing out clear and happy.

“Higher! Higher!”

Adrian laughed too. “Hey, I don’t want you flying off and landing in another country.”

“I won’t!” Milo protested. “I’m not a bird!”

“Good. Because I didn’t bring a net.”

Milo giggled, and Adrian pushed him a little higher, watching the boy’s feet kick the air, his laughter filling the space between them. For a moment, everything else faded away—no Bella, no arguments, no regrets. Just this. Just his son laughing because of him.

After a while, Milo jumped down and grabbed Adrian’s hand again. “Slide next! Come on!”

Before Adrian could even respond, Milo was already dragging him across the playground. They went down the slides again and again, raced around the jungle gym, and ran across the grass until both of them were breathless. Milo laughed the whole time, his energy endless, his joy contagious.

Adrian felt something warm and heavy settle in his chest. He watched Milo run ahead of him, cheeks flushed, eyes shining, and the realization hit him hard: this was what he had missed. This simple, beautiful chaos. And he never wanted to miss it again.

Eventually, Adrian had to call for mercy. He bent slightly, hands on his knees, breathing hard. “Okay, okay. Time out. If we keep going, I’m going to need to be carried home instead of you.”

Milo frowned, then grinned. “Ice cream?”

Adrian laughed. “You’re a genius.”

They walked to the small stand near the entrance. Milo studied the options like it was the most serious decision of his life before finally choosing chocolate chips. Adrian paid, and they sat on a nearby bench. Milo’s legs swung back and forth as he attacked his cone with enthusiasm, getting ice cream on his fingers and the corner of his mouth.

“Can we come here every weekend?” Milo asked suddenly, looking up at him.

Adrian didn’t even think about it. “I’ll try my best. I promise.”

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

He ignored it.

It buzzed again and again.

With a small sigh, he took it out and saw Bella’s name on the screen. His jaw tightened. He declined the call and slipped the phone away.

“Who was that?” Milo asked, licking his ice cream.

“Nothing important,” Adrian said quickly. “Eat before it melts.”

The phone buzzed again.

Adrian hesitated, then stood. “Stay right here, okay? Don’t move. I’ll be right back. Let me quickly take this call.”

“Okay,” Milo said easily, already focused on his cone again.

Adrian walked a short distance away and answered. “What is it, Bella?”

“Why aren’t you answering my calls?” she demanded. “Where are you? You’re not at work. You’re not home.”

“I’m in a meeting,” Adrian lied, his patience thinning. “I’ll call you later.”

He ended the call before she could respond and turned back toward the bench.

It was empty.

For a second, his brain refused to process it.

“Milo?” he called, scanning the area. “Milo!”

Nothing.

His heart slammed against his ribs. He rushed to the swings, the slide, the jungle gym, calling his name louder each time.

“Milo!”

People turned to look at him, but no one answered.

Fear hit him like a punch. His hands started to shake as he pulled out his phone and called his assistant, Dave.

“Dave,” he said, his voice tight, “Milo’s missing. I can’t find my son. I need help. Now.”

“I’m coming right away, sir,” Dave said immediately.

Adrian paced, running his hands through his hair, blaming himself over and over. He had looked away. Just for a moment. And now—

When Dave arrived, they split up, asking everyone they saw, describing a little boy with a cap and an ice cream cone.

No one had seen him.

Adrian’s stomach twisted with dread. His chest felt too tight to breathe.

He knew he had to call Lena.

“I… I can’t find Milo,” he said, his voice breaking the moment she picked up the call.

“What?” she shouted. “Where are you?”

He told her.

She arrived minutes later, pale and shaking. “How could you lose him?” she cried, grabbing his arm.

“He was right there,” Adrian said desperately. “I swear.”

Almost immediately, her phone rang and she pulled it out of her bag to see an unknown number calling.

She reluctantly answered and a cold voice said, “Your child is safe. I found him wandering alone. I’ll send the address.”

Lena didn’t wait. She ran without taking Adrian along with her.

At the address, she saw a tall man in a dark suit holding Milo’s hand.

“MOMMY!” Milo cried, running to her.

She hugged him tightly, sobbing in relief. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The man said calmly, “I found him near the road. His father seemed… distracted. Talking to a woman on the phone.”

Lena’s expression hardened.

She thanked him again, took Milo, and left without calling Adrian.

Behind her, the man watched her go—and made a call.

“The job’s done,” he said quietly. “This should drive a wedge between them for a while.”