I watched him quietly, feeling a rush of victorious satisfaction. His tough exterior was merely a facade, a fragile shell concealing his vulnerability. At that moment, Nelson resembled a child caught red-handed, stripped of his forced pride and self-importance. I decided to keep him in this state of unease, not rushing to interrogate him but instead casually remarking, “You see, if you’re so afraid of Harry, then it’s best not to provoke him.”
Nelson's expression shifted to one of increased tension, his eyes filled with hesitation and anxiety. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated to speak. In that moment, I realized that he wasn't truly as difficult to handle as he seemed. He was simply a child struggling to navigate his own emotions, and all his defiance and arrogance were just a facade to mask his inner fragility and helplessness.Nelson lowered his head, furrowing his brow. When he finally looked up atI chuckled, clearly amused by his unwavering defiance. “How about this: I can ask Harry to expedite your treatment? Don’t you want to get out of here as soon as possible? If he puts in the effort, you could be bouncing out of this place in no time.” Nelson’s eyes flickered with interest, revealing that my suggestion had caught his attention. “Really? Is that possible?” I nodded, my gaze steady and reassuring. “Yes, Harry mentioned to me that he’s confident he can help you. You might not realize it, but he’s truly exceptional at what he does.” A flicker of uncertainty crossed Nelson's face, as if he struggled to believe what I was saying. “I can see that—he’s definitely intimidating.” “Intimidating?” I furrowed my brow, my mind racing with thoughts of Harry's secret. Could it be that Harry accidentally revealed his vampiric nature? But that seemed unlikely; Harry's caution was far beyond ordinary, and he
I had a lingering question in my mind that I could no longer suppress. "What about the boy in your family? Does he show the same respect for his brother?" This was the question I had long wanted to ask. From what we had gathered, the child Ken Yimo had adopted was none other than my precious Neil. I needed to uncover the truth about Neil's situation. Ken Yimo's expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of concern at my question, but he quickly regained his composure. “He occasionally asks about his brother. However, I worry it might upset him, so I haven’t shared too much information.” Peter interjected, “Speaking of his brother, after hearing he might pose a threat to our protection plan, I dispatched some people to investigate. The findings were mixed.” I leaned in, intrigued. “Let’s hear the positives first.” Peter spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. “My team reported t
I felt completely reassured about the situation at the hospital. With Harry and Peter in charge, everything wass under control. Harry's calm demeanor combined with Peter's decisiveness was more than sufficient to handle any unexpected circumstances. Excluding me from the equation, their partnership boasted considerable experience, and they had developed a remarkable synergy over time. Particularly with this task, they bore a dual responsibility: ensuring that the meeting between Nick and Nelson proceeds smoothly while also safeguarding every step of our plan from premature disclosure. One of them exceled in thoughtful strategy, while the other thrived in decisive action. Together, they operated like seamlessly interlocking gears, functioning with precise efficiency. I’d heard that their arrangement allows Nick to visit Nelson at any time, unlike the strict bi-weekly visits to Yimo’s house. However, each of these visits must be accompanied by Peter, with Harry als
Nick lifted his head, looking at Ken Yimo with unwavering determination. “It really is him; his flavor has never changed. Mr. Yimo, can I see him now?” His urgency was unmistakable, as if each passing second was tearing at his heart with impatience. Ken Yimo glanced at his watch, still maintaining that calm smile. “No need to rush; he’ll be awake soon. He tends to wake up around this time—just a little lazybones.” His tone was light, as if he were discussing a child's daily routine, but the underlying implications made me increasingly wary. Nick seemed somewhat reassured by Ken Yimo’s response. He nodded, murmuring to himself, “It seems he’s doing well here. He never could sleep in this late at home, not even when he was sick.” His tone was filled with guilt and reflection, as if he felt he had owed his brother far too much during their time together. Ken Yimo replied casually, “Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of him.”
Ken Yimo offered a faint smile and replied softly, “Alright, let’s arrange another meeting soon.” His voice was steady and calm, as if he had already anticipated our next encounter. A tightness gripped my chest; something about him felt far more complex than he let on. “Sure,” I replied quickly. As I turned, I addressed Harry, saying, “Let’s talk tonight.” Harry nodded lightly, a smile gracing his lips as he responded, “Absolutely, on time, alright?” His tone seemed like a casual remark, yet I knew that this seemingly simple exchange concealed a multitude of matters we needed to discuss. As Peter and I stepped out of the castle, we made our way to a secluded corner where we were sure no one could see us, and we confirmed that there were no surveillance cameras in the vicinity. I halted, turning to Peter and said, “Wait for me.” My voice was low and infused with a hint of mystery, prompting Peter to stop in his tracks, a sli
Hearing Peter's suggestion, I wanted to roll my eyes, but alas, my face could hardly convey any complex emotions in this form. I could only silently grumble in my mind, wondering if Peter was doing this on purpose by choosing such a "familiar" name for me.Neil tilted his head and repeated, "Ryan?" His voice held a hint of hesitation, as if he was seriously considering the name.At that moment, Ken Yimo chimed in, his tone teasing. "Isn't this a case of who’s not here losing out? Naming the dog after Ryan, who isn’t even present?"Harry seemed to catch on, jokingly remarking, "Well, who told him to leave first? Lucky for me I didn’t take off early; otherwise, the dog would’ve been named Harry."Laughter filled the living room, lightening the atmosphere. While everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves, I knew deep down that the mission was far from over. My brothers had begun
Neil continued holding me, lifting me to his eye level so our gazes met. He smiled softly, his eyes filled with warmth. “Why are you so adorable?” he murmured, and before I could react, he placed another gentle kiss on my forehead.In that moment, my heart practically burst with joy, a wave of emotion sweeping through me like a warm tide. An irrepressible urge surged within me—the impulse to shift back into my human form and wrap Neil in a fierce, heartfelt embrace. Every fiber of my being longed to close the distance between us, to express the affection swelling uncontrollably inside me.But reason swiftly pulled me back from the tempting fantasy. The thought of the surveillance camera hidden in the room snapped me out of it instantly. Ken Yimo’s watchful eyes were everywhere—his control stretched into every corner, and I couldn't afford to be reckless.This secret, my true identity, had to
I quickly sent a message to Ethan, informing him about the multitude of surveillance cameras in the castle and requesting that he take action to swap out the cameras in Neil's bedroom and bathroom. Within moments, Ethan replied, assuring me that he would get right on it. He also asked if I needed any further assistance.I told him that for now, I didn’t require anything additional—just to ensure that the surveillance in those two crucial places wouldn't expose my movements.His swift response reassured me. I felt a sense of camaraderie, knowing that I had someone I could rely on to help dismantle the oppressive monitoring Ken Yimo had set up. Together, we could create a safer environment for Neil, and I was determined to do whatever it took to protect him from the unseen dangers lurking within the castle walls.Next, I quickly logged into our group chat to update everyone on my recent findings. I detailed the
Harry stood in the shadows, a subtle smile playing on his lips, his eyes radiating calm confidence. “Of course,” he replied, raising an eyebrow with that trademark mix of humor and certainty, as though he had the situation effortlessly under control. Harry was always like this—composed, astute, unwavering—seemingly born with the spirit of a fighter who refused to bow to fate. I looked at him, filled with gratitude and relief. The bond between us had long surpassed life, death, and honor; no matter the crisis, he was always there.As he turned his gaze toward Ken Yimo, a ripple of relief ran through me. Yes, Ken Yimo had indeed gone to Harry rather than taking some darker course of action. Unable to contain myself, I asked, “Ken Yimo, I’ll admit, I’m glad you actually brought Harry. Now, what about Neil?” My voice betrayed a hint of urgency, a worry that was impossible to hide. Neil’s condition had been weighi
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