A fate for love

Chapter 32: Kevin?

"Especially since he's going to be the next heir!"

Bethany's words made Aiden's eyes widen in surprise, while Lucas was left even more confused.

"What?" Aiden questioned, staring at Bethany. "How do you know?"

Bethany grinned, about to reveal more, but Mrs. Flora intervened, smoothing Lucas's hair lovingly. "Why else would Mr. Adams want him at the press conference?" she said with a knowing smile.

Aiden still seemed puzzled. "But he asked for Kevin too," he pointed out, trying to make sense of the situation.

Bethany rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her wine before responding, "Father's the type who would want Kevin to witness what he's lost." She chuckled, and Aiden nodded in reluctant agreement.

Mrs. Flora, her face softening with sincerity, turned to Lucas and gazed into his eyes. "You must not give up on this position, no matter what," she urged, her tone serious. "You have to be the heir, Lucas. Do you understand?" Lucas hesitated, unsure of his emotions, but he eventually nodded.

Mrs. Flora's smile widened as she patted his shoulder before raising her glass. "A toast!" she declared, full of enthusiasm. Lucas remained deep in thought but was snapped back to reality by a nudge from Bethany.

"Come on, once you're the heir, make sure Aiden gets back his position and me... well, I'll be director," she said with a sly smile. Lucas forced a small smile, masking the swirl of doubts within him, and raised his glass for the toast, though he didn't drink the wine. His mind drifted, burdened by thoughts of responsibility and expectation.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Kevin entered his father's room slowly, tension weighing heavily on his shoulders. Mr. Adams looked up, his face lighting up slightly as he spoke. "You're here. I didn't think you'd come."

Kevin remained silent, his expression blank, as his father continued. "You must not miss the press conference under any circumstances," Mr. Adams said, his tone more commanding than concerned.

Kevin rolled his eyes but said nothing, letting his father continue. "I've thought carefully about what you said before, and I've made a decision that will be best for you. That's why you must attend."

Unable to hold back any longer, Kevin scoffed. "How can you always know what's best for me?" he retorted, frustration clear in his voice. Mr. Adams fell quiet, his gaze steady on Kevin, but Kevin had more to say.

"I'll attend the conference, but it'll be the last time I take any orders from you," Kevin stated, his voice firm.

Mr. Adams nodded, about to respond, but Kevin cut him off. "I'm leaving now." Without waiting for a reply, Kevin turned to leave.

As Kevin reached the door, he barely heard his father's soft whisper. "You could stay..." The words hung in the air, but Kevin didn't hear, as he walked away, his mind already elsewhere.

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Kevin lingered outside his mother's room, his hand hovering over the door handle. The muffled sounds of her humming reached his ears, and he took a deep breath before finally turning the knob.

Hazel looked up from her knitting, her face lighting up instantly when she saw him. "Kevin!" Her voice was warm and filled with genuine delight.

Kevin swallowed, walking further into the room as Hazel beamed at him. "Finally, you're here!" she spoke with a fond smile.

Hazel studied his face, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I made something for you." She moved quickly, retrieving a neatly folded muffler from the chair beside her. "It's not much, but I thought you might need it with the weather getting colder."

Kevin looked down at the muffler, his heart skipping a beat. He hadn't expected this—hadn't expected her to still care so much, despite everything that happened months ago.

Kevin, still confused and hesitant, finally spoke, as he looked down at the muffler "Aren't you angry at me?"

Hazel paused, her smile softening, "Why would I be angry?" she asked, draping the muffler around his neck.

"Mom!" Kevin exclaimed in frustration, his voice breaking slightly. Hazel's gaze softened as she finally answered him, calmly. "How could I ever be angry at you, Kevin?" she said, her voice gentle.

Those simple words hit Kevin harder than he'd anticipated. He looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "I haven't been... around much," he murmured, guilt creeping into his voice.

Hazel's hand paused briefly on the muffler before she turned his face toward her, her touch soft. "You've been busy. I understand."

Kevin's throat tightened, and he struggled to find his voice. "You have every right to be upset with me. I didn't... I didn't visit, didn't call... I—"

Kevin felt his chest tighten, the weight of unspoken guilt and unhealed wounds pressing down on him. He couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes.

"You could say anything to me, and I wouldn't blame you," Hazel continued, her voice quiet but resolute. "Because you're my son, and I feel responsible for not being enough"

Kevin averted his gaze abruptly, the emotions becoming too much to bear. "I... I have a meeting," he muttered, already halfway to the door.

Hazel looked at him, her eyes sad but understanding. She wanted to stop him, to say more, but in the end, she sighed softly as she nodded and let him go "Try to come back sooner the next?" she said, more precise questioned him while Kevin didn't looked back at her as he nodded and went away. Just as he wen Hazel whispered, watching her son leave once again.

"Take care, my son..."

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Elina's point of view

Elina hung up the phone with a sigh, her thoughts swirling after her conversation with Jiya. She had opened up about Kevin, how his return had shaken her, and how he had shared his emotions—something she had never expected. But more than anything, she had confided in Jiya about her deepest fears: the fear of Kevin leaving her again and the weight of her responsibilities towards Emma.

Jiya's voice had been gentle but steady as she responded. "Elina, I know you're scared. After everything you've been through, it makes sense that you'd worry about Kevin leaving again. But at the same time, you can't let that fear stop you from living. If you don't give this a chance—whether it's to find closure or to build something new—you'll always wonder. And about Emma... I get it, you've been carrying that weight for so long. But you can't let it consume you either. You've done so much for her already, and you will continue to, but you're allowed to take care of yourself too."

Elina had stayed quiet, absorbing her best friend's advice. But just as the conversation was about to end, Jiya had thrown in one more question, her tone curious. "By the way, Elina, why were you and Kevin supposed to meet that day all those years ago?"

Elina had been caught off guard by the question. Kevin's cryptic words from their last encounter flashed in her mind—"I was afraid you'd find it." She had never asked him what that meant, and now, with Jiya's question echoing in her head, the curiosity stirred again. 

What was he afraid of? 

But before she could dwell on it for too long, her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of the doorbell.

She frowned, glancing at the wall clock. "Who could be here at this hour?" she mumbled, wondering out loud.

She hesitated for a moment, a sense of unease creeping up her spine as she walked toward the door. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened it, her eyes widening in confusion as she saw who was standing there.

"Kevin?" 

-To be continued