Evan stared out the window, jaw tight, eyes stormy. The cheerful chaos of the airport still played in his mind: Lucas standing there with flowers, looking at him like he was the only person in the world—
And then that moment.
That devastating moment.
When the twins grabbed his legs and Lucas's smile collapsed.
Evan shut his eyes.
He hadn't expected Lucas to be there. He hadn't expected him to look so… hopeful. So earnest. So desperate.
And he definitely hadn't expected that look in Lucas's eyes when he saw the twins. That split-second of disbelief.
Then dawning realization.
Then a pain so sharp, Evan felt it like a physical blow.
"Daddy?"
Little Ella tugged at his sleeve. Her big, soft eyes blinked up at him, her small voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you sad?"
Evan instantly softened. "No, sweetheart. Daddy's just tired."
Beside her, Ethan—quiet, observant Ethan—leaned forward, studying Evan's face with a seriousness far beyond his six years.
"You saw someone you knew," Ethan said flatly. "Someone you didn't want to see."
Evan froze. This child… His instincts, his perception, his intelligence—it was terrifying how much he resembled…
Evan stopped that thought instantly.
At the wheel, Adrian's fingers tightened slightly. His voice was calm, smooth, protective.
"It doesn't matter who it was," Adrian said. "What matters is that he can't hurt any of you again."
Evan's throat tightened. "He never hurt the twins."
"But he hurt you," Adrian replied without hesitation.
---
They arrived at the private villa Adrian prepared for them—three stories of glass and warm lighting, surrounded by gardens the twins immediately fell in love with.
As soon as the doors opened, Ella squealed and ran toward the flowerbeds, hopping excitedly.
"Daddy, look! So many flowers!"
Ethan followed her silently, but his eyes scanned everything like he was assessing danger.
Yes. Exactly like him.
Exactly like Lucas.
Evan swallowed hard.
But he forced himself to smile and called out, "Don't go far! Stay where I can see you!"
The twins nodded and ran off together, hand in hand.
Only when they were out of earshot did Evan finally let his shoulders slump.
Adrian watched him quietly. Then he stepped forward and placed a coat around Evan's shoulders.
"You're shaking."
"I'm fine," Evan whispered.
"You're not."
The gentle certainty in Adrian's voice made Evan look away.
For years, Adrian had been his shield, his support, his reason to keep moving. But there were things—memories, wounds—Adrian could not fully reach.
"Seeing him again…" Adrian said softly. "Does it still hurt that much?"
Evan didn't answer.
Adrian continued, "You don't have to talk about it. Just tell me if he's going to be a problem."
Evan exhaled slowly. "He… wasn't supposed to be there."
"But he was," Adrian said. "And he looked at you like he owned you."
"I was never his," Evan said bitterly. "Not truly."
Adrian's eyes cooled. "Then he needs to understand that now."
Evan rubbed his forehead. "He saw the twins."
Adrian's jaw tensed. "Do you think he realized?"
"He's not stupid," Evan whispered. "And the twins look too much like him."
Silence.
Then Adrian stepped closer, his voice dropping to something softer. "If he tries to take them from you—"
"He won't," Evan cut in immediately.
Because no matter what Lucas did or didn't know…
No matter what he wanted now…
No matter how he looked at the children…
Evan would protect them.
He would never let them be hurt by the man who once shattered him.
Adrian studied him carefully, then nodded in quiet acceptance.
"I'll tighten security around the villa."
"Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," Adrian murmured. "You and the children are… family."
Evan's heart twisted painfully.
Family.
He opened his mouth to respond—but a small shout interrupted him.
"Daddy!"
Ella ran toward him again, arms lifted to be carried. Evan quickly bent down and scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Ethan followed, tugging on Evan's sleeve. "Can we sleep in your room tonight?"
Evan blinked. "Both of you? Why?"
"Because you're sad," Ella said simply.
Evan froze.
Then his eyes softened, his heart melting into a warm ache.
These children…
His children…
Were too sweet. Too pure. Too protective.
Everything beautiful in his life.
He hugged them tightly. "Of course you can."
Ethan relaxed against him. Ella giggled happily.
And from the side, Adrian watched the three of them with an unreadable expression.
---
That night, after the twins fell asleep curled against Evan like little warm stars, Evan finally slipped out to the balcony for air.
The night breeze brushed his hair. The garden lights glowed softly.
He hugged his own arms, staring into the dark.
"Evan."
He stiffened.
Adrian stepped out quietly behind him with a glass of warm milk.
"You should sleep soon," Adrian said gently. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
Evan accepted the drink with a faint smile. "You take such good care of us."
"It's what I want to do."
Evan looked down. "Adrian… I don't want the children dragged into any fight between me and Lucas."
"They won't be," Adrian said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."
Evan nodded.
But deep down…
He knew it wasn't that simple.
Lucas had seen the children.
He had seen Ethan's eyes—those exact same dark irises.
He had seen Ella's smile—identical to his sister's when she was young.
Lucas Hale was not a man who gave up easily.
If he believed—even for a second—that those children were his…
He would come.
He would demand answers.
He would want a place in their lives.
Evan closed his eyes.
"Tomorrow… I'll tell them the truth," he whispered.
Adrian stiffened. "You're not obligated to."
"They deserve to know," Evan said. "If he tries to approach them… they need to be prepared."
Adrian exhaled. "You're too kind, Evan."
"Not kind," Evan murmured. "Just… tired of running."
Adrian reached out and touched his shoulder—gentle, grounding.
"You won't run anymore," he said. "I won't let anyone force you to."
And from somewhere beyond the villa gates…
Two unfamiliar eyes watched the balcony light flicker through the curtains.
Evan woke up to the soft weight of two small bodies draped over him.
Ella clung to his arm like a tiny koala, her face buried against his chest.
Ethan slept on his other side, one hand curled gently around Evan's shirt, as if making sure he didn't disappear overnight.
For a moment, Evan simply lay there, breathing in the quiet warmth.
These children were the only reason he'd survived the last six years.
His entire world, his entire heart — right here in his arms.