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The city outside was cold and unfamiliar. Zayn had traveled all morning, barely sleeping the night before. Today was a crucial day he had been sent to attend a meeting with the CEO of one of their partner companies, representing Alaric Corporation. He had prepared every file, every document, memorized every figure and clause.

Still, his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

He sat quietly in the waiting lounge, fingers tapping against the folder on his lap, mind racing through details… until

“Mr. Zayn? The CEO will see you now.”

Zayn stood up slowly, nodding to the assistant. He walked down the corridor, his heart thumping wildly. He exhaled once, knocked, and

“Come in.”

He stepped inside.

The room was elegant, modern, flooded with afternoon light. And standing by the window was the one man Zayn had never prepared himself to see again.

Elior.

His world tilted.

Zayn nearly stumbled but quickly composed himself. He forced his breathing to slow, clenched his fists to stop the trembling, and sat down across from the man who had once destroyed him.

He couldn’t even look him in the eye.

“Mr. Blackwood,” he started, voice steady despite the chaos in his chest. “I’ve brought the documents from Alaric Corp. Our company is interested in collaborating on the upcoming expansion. All the details are outlined here…”

He passed the folder, his fingers barely brushing the table.

Elior hadn’t said a word yet, his dark eyes fixed on Zayn.

“How are you, Zayn?” Elior asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Zayn froze for a second. He didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

He just kept going, finishing his explanation and business proposal until the meeting was nearly over.

“Well then,” Elior said at last, “We’ll go through this and inform you of our decision.”

“Thank you, sir.” Zayn stood to leave.

But before he could take another step, Elior moved.

He reached forward and grabbed Zayn’s wrist.

“Elior, please leave my hand,” Zayn said immediately, struggling to free himself.

But Elior stepped closer. He pulled him gently but firmly, backing Zayn into the wall.

Zayn's eyes widened.

Elior stared directly into his soul.

“Who’s that boy?”

Zayn blinked. “What…?”

“The boy who helped you. At the office. I saw him.”

Zayn inhaled sharply. “That’s my personal life, Mr. Blackwood. I suggest you mind your own business.”

“I’m asking you who is he to you?”

Zayn raised his chin. “He’s my boyfriend. Anything else, sir?”

The words stung Elior like a whip. He hadn’t recognized Adric as Zayn’s brother and now, the word “boyfriend” felt like a knife.

“Boyfriend…” Elior muttered, stepping back slightly. “So you moved on.”

Zayn’s hands were clenched. He didn’t want to break. Not here. Not again.

“You look…” Elior trailed off, eyes scanning him. “Different.”

“Sir, please.”

“What happened that day, Zayn? Why were you acting like that when you saw me?”

That did it.

Zayn’s breathing grew erratic. His hands started shaking violently. The air felt too thick to breathe. His vision blurred. The sound of voices laughing, mocking, accusing filled his head.

“Shut up… stop it… stop…” Zayn muttered under his breath, clutching his head.

“Zayn?” Elior stepped forward, alarmed.

“STOP IT!” Zayn screamed and collapsed to the floor, sobbing, body shaking uncontrollably.

Elior immediately lifted him in his arms and laid him down gently on the couch.

“Call the doctor. Now!” he barked to his assistant.

The in-house medical team arrived within minutes. A doctor checked Zayn’s vitals and asked a few questions.

“I believe this is a case of severe recurring panic attacks. The way he collapsed, hyperventilated… sir, are you close to him? Have you seen this before?”

Elior’s eyes were stuck on Zayn’s pale, fragile face. He nodded slowly.

“Yes. I know him.”

The doctor gave him a calming injection, warned about mental stress, and left instructions before leaving.

Elior sat there beside him for a long time. He took off his jacket and draped it over Zayn gently.

“Zayn… you moved on,” Elior whispered. “And I’m just......"

He ran a hand through his hair, broken, frustrated, empty.

He stared at the man he once betrayed. And yet… part of him still whispered mine.

A few moments passed.

He stared at Zayn phone.

And then he saw it.

The wallpaper. Zayn and the boy. Ari.

The little boy was kissing Zayn’s cheek in the photo, giggling.

And Elior felt the world slip from beneath his feet.

The child’s eyes.

The hair.

The smile.

It was him.

A mini version of himself.

Elior’s vision blurred.

He sat there frozen, unable to move, his heart pounding painfully in his chest.

“Is he…?”

Everything inside him shattered into chaos.

And suddenly, he whispered the one truth he couldn’t avoid anymore

> “Zayn… is that my son?”

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