A week passed, and Kairo's secret visits to Zayn continued without a hitch. By now, Zayn had grown close to him, so close that he would wait by the doorway, little eyes searching with anticipation for Kairo to arrive and play. For Kairo, those moments had become the highlight of his days. Zayn was like a tiny bundle of happiness wrapped just for him. He couldn't resist capturing every smile, every giggle, in pictures. Later, when he was alone at home and the silence pressed in, he would open those photos, letting his son's innocent joy fill the emptiness and ease the ache of missing him.
It was Monday, and Kairo could barely sit still. Sunday had kept him away from Zayn, and the absence gnawed at him. The moment Sara dropped Zayn off at the daycare, Kairo rushed in with another toy tucked under his arm, his heart racing with excitement.
"Hey, buddy…" he called softly, his voice warm with affection.
Zayn's head snapped up at once, his little face lighting up like sunshine. Without a second thought, he scrambled to his feet and toddled toward Kairo on his tiny legs, arms stretched wide.
Kairo's heart melted at the sight. In one swift motion, he scooped his son up, showering him with kisses on his cheeks, nose, and forehead, each touch laced with longing.
"I missed you, my boy…" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
"Miss you… too," Zayn replied in his sweet little voice, making Kairo freeze for a heartbeat.
The words, innocent yet full of love, struck him harder than anything else ever had. When Zayn leaned in and pressed a kiss to his nose, a gesture that had become his habit with those he adored, Kairo's eyes stung. For the first time, his son was not just accepting his affection but returning it.
Kairo pulled him close, holding him tightly against his chest as though he never wanted to let go. He buried his face in Zayn's hair, kissing the crown of his head, a tear slipping free before he could stop it.
At that moment, he knew, Zayn no longer saw him as just a stranger. He was becoming someone important. Someone loved.
"Look what I brought you today," Kairo said with a grin, pulling out the toy from the bag and holding it up like a treasure.
Zayn's eyes widened, his little hands clapping together in pure excitement. That innocent joy lit up Kairo's world.
He handed the toy over, watching as Zayn immediately grabbed it, curiosity and happiness mixing on his tiny face. Kairo couldn't help but smile, his chest swelling with warmth.
And just like that, the two of them slipped into their own little world again, playing, laughing, and forgetting everything else around them.
Back at the office, Secretary Ben announced that all the promoted candidates would be getting new cabins. The team buzzed with excitement, their laughter and chatter filling the corridor. Sara, however, felt a quiet unease in her chest. She went along with the group, not wanting to dampen anyone's joy.
When Ben finally led her to her assigned cabin, Sara stepped inside and froze.
The room was neatly furnished, elegant, but what caught her eye wasn't the desk or shelves. It was the small baby-care section tucked carefully in the corner: a crib, a few toys, a soft rug, and even a cabinet with baby supplies.
Sara's lips parted slightly, her steps faltering. Why… this?
Ben's polite voice broke her thoughts. "This is your cabin, Miss Sara."
She turned to him, her brows drawn. "Thank you, Mr. Ben. But…" Her gaze flicked deliberately to the baby corner.
"Why these arrangements?" she asked sharply.
He cleared his throat. "This was arranged for your child, Miss Sara."
Sara's eyes narrowed. "Why? My son is fine in daycare. I don't need special arrangements for him here."
Ben shifted awkwardly, trying not to meet her eyes. "Actually… I was instructed to do this. If you have an issue, perhaps you should speak directly to the director."
Sara's lips pressed into a thin line. "Fine. I will."
She turned on her heel and marched to Kairo's cabin, her blood boiling. Without knocking, she barged inside.
Kairo, seated at his desk, looked up. A smile curved his lips instantly, as though just seeing her lit up his day.
"Sara—"
"What was that?" she snapped, her voice cutting through the air. "Why are you doing this?"
Kairo's brows furrowed in feigned confusion. He rose from his chair, walking toward her. "What, Sara? What are you talking about?"
Her eyes blazed, her fists clenched at her sides. "Don't act like a fool, Kairo. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from me and my child? Then why are you playing these games? the promotions, the fancy cabin, the baby corner? Why are you so obsessed with my child?"
Kairo's jaw tightened, but his answer came steady, unwavering. "Because I'm his father."
Sara's blood boiled. Her heart pounded as rage and hurt surged through her veins. "Don't you dare claim that again," she hissed. "Zayn does not have a father. He has me. Only me. I am his everything. Don't interfere in our lives again."
The words sliced through him, and for a moment, Kairo stood there, silent, wounded. His chest ached as if her rejection had torn it open. Still, he stepped closer, his voice breaking despite his attempt at control.
"Sara… I know." His throat bobbed. "I know I made mistakes. I know I put you through misery no one should endure. But I've realized it now. I can't change the past, but please—" his voice cracked, raw with desperation "—please give me a chance to fix it. Give me a chance to fix everything."
Sara's eyes burned as she stared at him, fury lacing every inch of her expression. She let out a sharp, bitter scoff at his pleading tone.
"Oh… now you've realized your mistake? All of a sudden?" Her voice dripped with disbelief and pain. "Why, Kairo? Didn't you once say you hated me? That you still hate me? And now, suddenly, this care? Why?"
Kairo's gaze dropped to the floor. He couldn't meet her eyes.
She continued, her words were like knives."Is it because you think Zayn is your child? That's the reason for all this drama, isn't it?"
Her words hit him like blows to the chest. A single tear slipped down his cheek before he could stop it. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling.
But Sara didn't soften. Her eyes glistened, but her heart stayed cold.
"Remember one thing, Kairo…" she said, her voice cracking but still steady. "Your mistakes can't be erased with sorry. They can't erase what I went through."
She stepped closer, her voice low but sharp as glass. "And Zayn is not your child. He is mine. Completely. Don't you dare mess with my life again."
She turned to leave, her hands trembling but her spine straight as steel.
But before she could step out, Kairo grabbed her wrist. "Leave me, Kairo," she hissed.
He didn't. Instead, he pulled her against him, wrapping her in a desperate back hug. His body trembled as he buried his face against her shoulder, sobs breaking free.
"I'm sorry, Sara… I'm so sorry…" His tears soaked her sleeve.
She struggled, pushing at his arms. "Let me go! Kairo"
But his grip only tightened, his voice breaking as he begged. "I'm not asking you to forgive me, I know I don't deserve it. But please… don't separate Zayn from me. Don't cut me out of his life. Please, Sara… give me one chance to make it right. I swear, I'll never hurt you again. Please… I love you. Don't take Zayn away from me."
His sobs echoed in the room.
Sara stilled for a moment, her throat tightening at his words, at his tears. But her heart hardened quickly.
"You can't fix the wound you caused, Kairo," she said coldly. "No matter what you do, it will never be undone. I've moved on. I don't feel anything for you anymore. My son is my everything; he's my only purpose, my only reason to survive. We don't need anyone else. So stop wasting your time on us. It's not worth it. And stop doing us favors. We don't need them."
With trembling hands, she pried his arms away from her and walked out of his cabin.
Her face was cold, her eyes drained of emotion.
Kairo stood frozen, his sobs breaking the silence. He had expected this. He knew her heart had no space left for him, not after the pain he had given.
But even through the storm in his chest, one thing remained unshaken, his promise.
Even if she never forgave him.
Even if she never looked at him again.
He would not stop.
He would keep trying.
For her.
For Zayn.
Forever.