A Shocking Encounter

"Where is the man?" Nadine asked, casting a glance around.

"Where did he—Oh there he is!" Clara exclaimed, pointing at Adrian, who was still standing where she left him.

However, his back was turned against the counter, making it impossible for Nadine to see his face.

She scrutinized him curiously, noting his expensive clothing, the partly visible butterfly tattoo on his neck, thick dark hair, and luxurious watch. Everything about him seemed so familiar, stirring an unease deeper than she had ever felt.

"Is that Adrian? No, it's not possible...What could he be doing in a small Coastal town like Seabrook? He could never visit such a place, could he?" Nadine thought, her mind racing.

Her breath hitched, and her steps involuntarily retracted.

"Where are you going?" Clara asked, her confusion evident.

"Tell him that I'm busy, but grateful...And please, don't tell him my name," Nadine instructed, rushing back into the kitchen.

"Nadine," Clara gasped.

The moment she left, Adrian turned around to see Clara, alone.

"Clara," He called, waving a bit.

Clara swallowed hard, and returned to him, "She said I should thank you. She's very busy right now and can't see you."

Adrian noticed how visibly disturbed she seemed, and wondered what had gone wrong.

"Did she not want to see me?" Adrian thought, suspicion surging through him.

"Clara, what is your friend's name—"

"Adrian!" Marcus called out, signaling him to come to their table.

"What are you doing?" Marcus mouthed inaudibly.

Adrian read his lips and reluctantly gave up on his question.

"I'm sure you were busy before I disturbed you. Thank you for granting me audience, and send my regards to Liam...his drawing was cute," Adrian said quickly before walking over to Marcus.

Clara, perplexed by the sudden end of their conversation, was even more confused by Nadine's reaction.

"What was wrong with her?" Clara whispered under her breath.

She decided to meet Nadine in the kitchen, but upon reaching there, Nadine was shockingly heading toward the backdoor.

"Where to?" Clara asked in shock.

"I need to grab Liam from his daycare and pick up some groceries. Can you cover for me?" Nadine requested, her heart pounding.

Before Clara could even respond, Nadine dashed through the backdoor.

"What the hell..." Clara trailed off, her face flushed. She looked at her watch, her bewilderment intensifying, "It's not yet time to pick Liam up."

___

Later in the day, Nadine went to a shopping mall with Liam after picking him up from his daycare. Earlier, she had gone on a walk to clear her head and calm her nerves.

She couldn't believe Adrian had come to the café. Even if it wasn't him, the encounter left her deeply troubled.

"Mommy, look at this!" Liam's little voice broke through her thoughts. "Look!"

"What is it, sweetheart?" Nadine asked softly, halting her steps to look at Liam.

Liam held up his drawing, anticipating an impressed look from his mother.

"Wow, it looks amazing," Nadine smiled, despite the ache in her heart.

The drawing was the same one Adrian had seen. It featured stick figures of Liam, Nadine, and a shadowy father. But this particular drawing was colored.

Nadine was deeply troubled by it. Liam was so young, yet he was already questioning the absence of his father.

"You're so good at this, sweetheart," Nadine complimented, her heart sinking.

"When can we show this to Daddy?" Liam asked, his eyes glinting with hope.

"Very soon, baby," Nadine smiled sadly, ruffling his hair playfully.

As they resumed walking, Nadine picked some items they needed and placed them into the cart. But some items weren't in her current aisle.

"Baby, can you stay here with the cart while Mommy goes to the other aisle to pick something?" Nadine asked, a bit exhausted from pulling him and the cart around.

"Yes," Liam nodded confidently.

"Don't go anywhere or move the cart. Mommy will just be at the other side," Nadine whispered, pointing at the next aisle.

She wouldn't even spend up to a minute there, so she felt reassured leaving him. Besides, Liam was a smart kid.

"Okay, Mommy. I'll be here," Liam promised with a grin.

"Good boy," Nadine smiled, quickly rushing to the other aisle.

As Liam waited for his mother to return, Adrian coincidentally appeared in the same aisle. He had come to pick up a few things he had forgotten in Manhattan.

As Adrian was about to walk down the aisle, he spotted Liam. His eyes went wide at the sight of him, and without hesitation, he rushed over to the boy.

"Liam," Adrian smiled as he reached him. "Do you still recognize me?"

Liam blinked rapidly for a second, then nodded firmly.

"Yes."

Adrian's smile widened and he knelt down, "You're so smart, Liam."

Adrien felt so happy to see him again. He had wanted to see him in the restaurant earlier, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Where is your mother? I hope you aren't lost again?"

"Liam, who are you talking—"

Nadine's words stuck to her throat as her eyes met with Adrian's sharp eyes.

The carton of milk in her hand dropped to the floor, and her heart hammered in her chest. It was like her world crumbled at that moment. What she had spent years trying to prevent had just happened.

"Nadine," Adrian gasped, slowly standing to his feet. "It's you..."

Nadine felt like she couldn't breathe, her face was pale. All the memories of her past rushed through her mind. The rage, hate, and resentment reignited in her heart.

She couldn't allow her son to spend another second longer with this man.

Nadine rushed over to them and scooped Liam into her arms. As she tried to run, Adrian swiftly grabbed her arm, pulling both of them toward himself.

"I let you leave before, but I'm not making that mistake again," Adrian affirmed.

"Let go of me, you bastard!" Nadine screamed, her voice laced with cold fury.

"I'll never let you go again. Never!"