In the car, I began to remind Neil of the things he needed to pay attention to at the music festival. Given Neil's description of its popularity, surely it was bound to be packed with people."Do you remember what I told you?" I asked, brushing his nape to draw his attention back from the passing scenery outside the car window."I remember," he replied."Repeat it for me.""First, keep your phone with you and pay attention to calls and messages; second, don't wander off and stay close to Ryan; third, if we get separated, stay where you are and wait for Ryan to come back.""Good, are you excited?""Very much, Ryan. This is actually my first time attending such a large event, and I'm a bit nervous.""There's nothing to be nervous about. You're not the one performing.""Haha, true. Thank you, Ryan. I never dreamed I'd have the chance to go to a music festival."It was amazing how something so small could make him so happy. I wondered whether he was just easily contented or if such experi
After tending to Neil's wounds and tidying up a bit, I quickly got myself ready for the appointment. But before heading out, I decided to have a serious talk with Neil about what happened during the day. I seated him on the sofa near the entrance, and I pulled a small round stool to sit in front of him. At that moment, our eyes met at the same level."Neil.""Ryan, can I speak first?" I paused, held his hand, and nodded."Ryan, I'm sorry. Am I too clumsy? Is that why Roy doesn't take me out to play?" It seemed he was thinking along the same lines as I was. He was worried that I would be angry, and his thoughts had nearly spiraled out of control."Neil, what happened today was an accident. You don't need to be scared or blame yourself. You've done really well." Hearing this, he lifted his head to look at me. "I don't know why Roy doesn't take you out, and I don't want to know. But despite what happened today, it won't stop me from taking you out or having fun with you in the future." S
As soon as the manager came in, I asked him to bring enough food for five people. Given that we were VIPs in a private room, he didn't think much of it and went out, perhaps accustomed to the wasteful habits of the rude and wild guests. After all, in a five-star hotel, service was paramount. However, my action drew disdain from Neil's god brother, who seemed to think I was trying to take advantage.He quickly realized he was mistaken. Neil began indulging in the food with an insatiable appetite. This time, the buffet offered a different style of cuisine, heightening his curiosity and excitement about the flavors to an unprecedented level. I just tasted a few bites before reverting to my usual paternal mode. During this time, Neil noticed Harry's gaze fixed on the him, this amazing baby. He became shy, lowered his head, and glanced at me surreptitiously. Amused by his expression, I patted his neck and signaled him to keep eating."Enjoy your food, eat to your heart's content, and don't
This morning, we met with Neil's god brother as planned. We intended to visit some nearby tourist attractions after the breakfast, but our plans were disrupted. I trusted that vampire too much, leaving Neil in his care while I went to the restroom. When I returned to our private room, it was empty. I quickly took out my phone to call Neil, only to hear the vibration coming from within the room. I traced the sound and found a note beneath Neil’s phone.The note read: "Dear sister-in-law, I’ve taken my brother with me. Don’t worry about finding us; you won’t be able to. I’ll return him to you, safe and sound, by 7 PM tonight." I immediately called Harry and the damn vampire had the audacity to answer."Hello, you have one minute to talk. After that, I’ll hang up, and you won’t be able to find us anymore.""Where are you taking Neil?""Sorry, can’t answer that. This is my private time with my brother. Don’t worry about that, sister-in-law.""You dare!""I'm doing it right now. You have t
Five minutes before the agreed-upon time, I was hurriedly putting on layers of clothes, one after another, while carrying a bundle of bags. Once everything was on, I hoisted Neil into my arms and headed out. As I arrived at the hotel lobby, there was Harry, already waiting. He saw me laden with bags and, instead of offering to help, started spouting nonsense, comparing me to that pervert Roy."Why isn’t he awake yet? Don’t tell me you tortured him till this morning," he said."What nonsense. This little darling isn’t a morning person. I couldn’t bear to wake him up early, so I didn’t tell him the time. What, you got a problem with my baby?" I retorted."Of course not, here, let me," Harry said, his demeanor shifting completely upon hearing my explanation. He reached out to take Neil from my arms, but I swiftly turned to avoid his hands. As if I'd let anyone take Neil from me. The only thing Harry could do to help was carry the bags—just the bags, nothing more. Neil was not included in
As they were curious, Neil woke up, perhaps disturbed by our conversation. He stumbled out of the tent, rubbing his eyes with one hand and feeling his way forward with the other, probably looking for me. I took his hand, and he snuggled into my arms, hugging my waist tightly."Is this the youngest brother?""So cute.""Yes, this is our little brother. We’re not in that kind of relationship," Harry seized the opportunity to clarify and do a small revenge."Huh? Who’s the little brother? Me?" Neil asked, confused."Who else?" Harry said, pulling Neil closer. "Come on, say hi to the uncles.""Hello, uncles," Neil said, bowing politely."Good, good. Such a sweet boy.""The little brother is so fair-skinned, just like the older brother.""See, uncles, my little brother looks like me. The second brother is a bit different," Harry said, deliberately excluding me. "So, my little brother and I are closer." He even hugged Neil !Damn vampire."Aww, they have such a good relationship. I'm so jeal
Neil and I stayed an extra day at that place before leaving. We made sure to fly to the city hosting the Harry’s Music Festival before nightfall, so we could spend the night there. I didn't want Neil to have to wake up early and rush to fly on the day of the festival, as he might be exhausted by the time the evening festivities began. Arriving a night early gave us the chance to explore the local food street, filling Neil's stomach before heading back to the hotel to rest.After I finished my shower, I found that little guy sitting by the coffee table in the living room, busy with something. He wasn't sitting on the sofa behind or beside him but had wedged himself between the couch and the table, sitting on the floor. Being curious, I walked over to see what he was up to. It turned out he was looking at some small photographs Robert had given him—some of the best shots from a photo session we had at a studio.I stepped over the sofa and sat down on the floor next to him, scooting clos
After he finished his task, he didn't stand up but knelt there, repeatedly apologizing to me. These were just words spoken in anger, so why was he taking them so seriously, so sensitively? Without responding, I turned and went back to the room to get his clothes. When I returned to give them to him so he wouldn't catch a cold, I found him in that same ashamed posture—head down, body trembling slightly, hands clasped together and rubbing up and down.I bent down to hand him the clothes and realized he was crying. Gently, I placed my hand on his trembling shoulder, trying to help him up, but he didn't dare stand. He glanced at me before lowering his head again, his emotions out of control but his voice barely a whisper."Ryan, do you... don't want me anymore?"His sudden question took me by surprise. I had been so angry and said so many harsh things, but I had never considered that question or even thought I needed to. His outburst made me realize: Had I been too angry? Had my overreact
Ken Yimo simply gave a cold smile, completely dismissing my warnings. There was no trace of pity or warmth in his eyes as he turned and walked out of the cell. I stood there, helpless and furious, watching him leave, fully aware that I was trapped here and powerless to stop him. As the heavy door slowly closed behind him, a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me, and despair and anguish surged in my chest. I was locked in this cold, isolated cell, surrounded by thick stone walls that shut out even the faintest trace of light, leaving me in total darkness. There was no way to reach out, no phone, no tool to call for help. My thoughts began to be consumed by the shadows, yet Neil's face lingered in my mind, refusing to fade. Would he, once again, fall prey to Ken Yimo’s control and cruelty, triggering another episode of sleepwalking? The thought twisted my heart with an unshakable sense of dread and fear. As night fell, darkness engulfed
I stared at him, unwilling to waste words. Instead, I asked directly, “Where’s Neil?” The question was like a weight pressing on my chest, and this man before me was the only one who could answer it.Ken Yimo’s expression was one of indifference, as he replied coolly, “Neil? He’s resting. He’s very simple-minded. As long as I tell him to stay put, he won’t wander off. So, unlike with you, I don’t have to keep him chained up.” His words dripped with a detached cruelty, as though Neil were nothing more than a toy he could control at will. My fists clenched involuntarily, and a simmering anger began to burn within me.I knew then—Ken Yimo must have done something to manipulate Neil or force him into submission. I wanted to press him further, but Ken spoke first, a sly smile twisting across his face. “Ah, but it seems that when kids grow up, they’re not so easy to keep
“I’ve had enough.” Finally, my patience wore thin. Soft tactics weren’t working, so it was time to be firm. I stood up, bundled Neil up tightly in his blanket, ignoring his struggles or pleas. Before long, Neil was sitting at the small table, his head poking out from the blanket while the rest of his body was wrapped up snugly—held there by my bear hug, replacing any other form of restraint.I should have done it this way from the start. It saved time, kept the food warm, and, most importantly, even though he was wrapped in a blanket, I could still hold him close, care for him, protect him—letting him sit on my lap and lean against me.“Wow.” Seeing his eager expression, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. “I know you love these dishes, so I made them just for you. What do you want to eat?”"My favorite pasta.""My favorite pancakes."
I rambled on while watching the stars twinkle silently in the night sky. The breeze caressed the woods outside the tent, and the night was as gentle as a dream. Unconsciously, fatigue crept into my eyelids, and finally I fell into a deep sleep in the stillness of the night.I didn't know exactly how long I slept until a beam of morning light shone through the transparent tent roof and shone on my face, waking me up from my slumber. In a daze, I blinked, as if last night's worries and hesitations were still swirling in my mind. But the scene that came into my eyes next completely turned all my imaginations upside down.“Neil!!! what are you doing?!” I instantly came to my senses and sat up with a jolt. Right in front of me, Neil was kneeling beside me, head bowed, with a serious look on his face as he tried to help me with my natural morning reaction. He didn't look hesitant at all, as if it was a matter of course.
My heart sank, realizing that it wasn’t just innocent childish behavior—it was a desperate search for affection, a need to please, a struggle to win more care and love from Ken Yimo. In that moment, I suddenly understood that Harry's words might have been true—their relationship was far beyond a typical father-son bond.I struggled to steady the emotions stirring within me, and looked up at Neil’s innocent face. He probably didn’t recognize the true meaning behind those gestures—their intent was not simply familial love, but a deep, almost physical craving for attention, a kind of dependence on being favored. A quiet ache settled in my chest as I wished with all my heart that he would never be caught in that dark emotional whirlpool again.I smiled softly, gently steering the conversation back to where it had started. "So, to get back to the point, I am your one and only, aren't I?" On this quiet night, I
"Yes, every day." Neil nodded firmly, his tone pure, almost childlike."Then, is this kind of missing me something unique?" I pressed on, as though I were hoping to hear a one-of-a-kind answer from him."Unique?" He blinked, looking as though he didn’t quite understand the meaning of the word.I patiently explained, "What I mean is... is this something that only I experience? Like, the way you miss your dad—does it feel the same as the way I miss mine?"Neil shook his head slightly, his voice soft as he replied, "It's different. I miss Ryan more."A flicker of delight stirred within me, but I kept my expression neutral and asked, "What about compared to your elder brother and your little brother? Is it different with them too?"Neil thought for a moment before nodding with certainty. "Yeah, I miss Ryan the most.""So, only I,
As I processed Harry's bombshell, I turned to Ethan and asked, "Have you checked if Fred Yimo is really Ken Yimo's biological son?"Ethan's expression turned serious as he pulled out his phone. "I'll have someone look into it now."Peter furrowed his brow, clearly skeptical. "You suspect Fred Yimo might be adopted too?""I actually hope so," I replied firmly. "It's a lot less messy than the unethical theory.""Ken Yimo really isn't simple," Harry remarked on the phone, sounding almost impressed. "When I was around, Fred was a bit more relaxed. But the moment I left, he turned into a mouse—didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, but a little bit “sticky” though."I let out a cold laugh. "Doesn't that completely clash with the surveillance cameras he set up at home?"Peter nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. Which of these sides is the r
As Peter and I sat off to the side, watching them laugh and chat, a tangle of emotions stirred within us. The scene was heartwarming, yet there was an undeniable sense of loss. Here we were, two grown men, holding our glasses, sitting on the fringes of this cozy gathering, as if the world had forgotten about us.Peter let out a heavy sigh. "Why does it feel like I'm drifting further away from my own precious one?" His gaze lingered on Nick and Neil, a hint of sadness in his eyes.I took a sip of my drink, my voice low. "It feels like everyone else is getting closer to Neil than I am." The words left a sting in my chest, as though something inside me had been pierced.Ethan, overhearing our conversation, smiled softly and leaned in to offer a quiet word of reassurance. "Don’t rush," he said gently. "You’ll grow closer in time." He set down his soup spoon, his demeanor calm and wise. "When the bond is strong, n
I paused, surprised that Ken Yimo had informed Neil so quickly. I had been ready to carefully persuade him to come along, but it turned out I didn’t need to—the door was already open, and Neil knew he’d have some freedom. My plan could move forward seamlessly.I smiled, leaning down with a hint of excitement in my voice. "Neil, how about a trip to the amusement park?" My gaze held a playful glint, eager to see his reaction.As expected, Neil’s face instantly lit up with an incredible smile, like sunshine breaking into the depths of his heart. "Really?" His eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, his voice brimming with barely-contained excitement."Yes!" I nodded, continuing to paint an exciting picture for him. "We can even go see a movie, and then camp out to watch the stars. How does that sound?"Neil’s face flushed with excitement, and he practically burst out, "Y