[13th April 2024]

In Evan's apartment, he descends the stairs to the ground floor where his aunt and uncle reside.

Approaching the apartment door, he enters to find Jason scrutinizing some papers, while Rossy is busy preparing dinner.

"Hi, Jason, could you call Evan for dinner? It's nearly ready," Rossy requests, continuing her tasks.

"Sure, I'll call him down once I'm done with these papers," Jason responds, not looking up from his reading.

"No need, Aunt, I'm already here," announces Evan, catching the couple by surprise.

"Oh, Evan! We didn't hear you come in, so I asked him to call you," Rossy explains, equally surprised by his silent entrance.

"Don't worry, Aunt, it happens. And remember, you're not getting any younger," Evan remarks stoically.

"Hey now, I'm far too youthful to be old," Rossy retorts, boasting of her beauty.

"Alright, 'Miss Queen,' less talk, more dinner, please. I've got work to do," Jason interjects, slightly annoyed by their banter.

"Oh my God, you're such a bad uncle, Jason. Can't you see that when an aunt and her child are talking, you shouldn't interrupt?" Rossy said in her childish voice, causing Evan to giggle briefly before stopping.

Rossy noticed his reaction, as she was well aware that her antics often made him laugh.

"Evan, are you okay, child? You seem a bit down today," she said, cupping his cheeks in her hands.

"Oh yes, don't worry, Aunt. I'm fine, just tired from cleaning the room, that's all," Evan replied, stepping back from her embrace.

"Well, that's alright then. Let me serve the food I made for you since you cleaned your room all by yourself. It's your favorite," she said, attempting to break the silence.

"Okay, let me help you," Evan offered, but she refused and firmly seated him at the dining table.

After serving, they both began to eat, finishing quickly and in silence, as Jason preferred it that way.

He was quite the military type, who liked everything in order, just like in the army.

But Rossy was the only one who could manage him and help him lead a normal life.

After finishing his meal, he decided it was time to share the fabricated story he had concocted.

"Umm... Aunt, Uncle, there's something I need to discuss with you both," he said, as Rossy, who had just returned from doing the dishes, sat down, looking puzzled.

"Did something happen?" she inquired, to which Evan quickly replied in the negative.

"No, I wanted to talk about an incident that occurred during my meeting with the friend I mentioned earlier," he explained, seeing their confusion and deciding to elaborate.

"The thing is, my friend I met today encountered a couple who claimed they are my biological parents, and now they intend to visit tomorrow to take me to another kingdom," he revealed, leaving both listeners in a state of shock.

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"What? You mean your parents who abandoned you at the orphanage?" Rossy asked, her mind in turmoil.

"Yes, and it seems I may have to leave tomorrow morning," Evan clarified.

"Okay, Evan, this is sudden, but are you certain they are your parents?" Jason asked, more composed than Rossy, who was now breaking down in tears.

"Yes, I've confirmed it. They even provided proof over the phone, such as details about my birthmark and the exact day I was left at the orphanage," Evan stated, having prepared his story in advance.

"Oh, so you didn't meet them and only talked to them on the phone. Do you have their number? I would like to talk to them," Jason asked directly, wanting to track them down and possibly negotiate to prevent them from taking Evan away, as he couldn't bear to see his wife in such a state.

"Yes, but you won't be able to reach them. My father mentioned that his phone would be turned off, and he would only contact me on the number I provided," Evan explained as he handed over the number, which was originally his friend James' number that had been stolen, and he had forgotten to deactivate.

"You're right, it's off, but why did they shut it down? Are they involved in something illegal?" he inquired, still skeptical.

"They might be bad people, Evan. You shouldn't go with them. You can stay with us as long as you like. I will love you as if you were my own child," Rossy said, her face flushed red and tears spilling onto the floor.

"Dear, calm down. Let's listen to what he has to say, and then we'll decide," Jason interjected, signaling Evan to continue.

"Yes, my parents were pursued by a prominent noble family over some matter, which is why they fled. Now that the issue has settled, they've returned to take me with them," Evan revealed what he believed to be the truth, but the question remained whether they would listen.

In the memories he received from his past selves, a consistent theme emerged: his parents returned after two years, and they reunited to live together. He had no desire to part with any of them, forming a large family where Evan was the only child. These were the good times he yearned to relive, but the invasions occurred twice, and he was compelled to leave as they were unstoppable.

Indeed, he spoke the truth, and in two years, the truth would be revealed, possibly allowing both families to coexist until his return.

"Why can't they see us happy now? Why do they want to ruin my life? God, have you no sympathy for this woman?" Rossy cried out, looking skyward.

"Dear, compose yourself; we mustn't fall apart, as it might prevent him from leaving," Jason implored, his eyes welling with tears.

"Let him stay; I can't bear to let him go," Rossy pleaded amidst her sobs.

"Aunt, I don't wish to leave either, but I also long to meet my parents. Don't worry, I will try to return to you with them, and perhaps we can be one big family," Evan attempted to console her, which inadvertently intensified her weeping.

An hour and a half later, Rossy ceased her tears and regained composure. After pondering over everything, she consented to the plan.

"Listen, Evan, they may be your parents, but I will remain your only mother, and no one can take that right from me. Please come back to us as soon as you can," she said, regaining her composure as she realized she couldn't prevent him from leaving.

Who would stop a child from meeting his biological parents, even if they had cared for him for only a few years? Perhaps it would be different if he had been with them since birth, but Evan had come to them only three years ago.

"I must go now, as I need to wake up early in the morning," he said, walking out of the room, leaving them both behind.

Rosy began to cry again, sitting next to Jason, who was now also saddened.

"Dear, can't we stop him? He should legally be ours," Rosy said, still not wanting to let him go, yet she pretended to be okay for his sake.

"No, Rose, we can't. The child needs to be with them, and the story is true, as Wilson confirmed what Evan told me. Besides, he promised he would return to live with us, so there's no need to worry," Jason said, comforting her.

"But still, as a mother, can't I stop him from going? And what if his mother decides not to let him come here?" Rossy said, while Jason was unable to respond to her concern.

-- To be continued --

Author's Note: Hey guys, the author here. Let me know how you like the chapter and if my emotional scene is well-executed or not, as this is my first attempt at writing such a scene in both of my books.