Chapter 8 - the children on the cobblestone path
The park festival filled the town with music, food stalls, and families.
Maya almost changed her mind three times before leaving the house.
The DNA results were not expected until the following afternoon. The plan was only to observe Adrian from a distance and determine whether Elias could approach him safely.
Maya dressed the children in blue and teal so Jamie could spot them easily in the crowd.
She brought the stroller for Finn, who tired quickly after long walks.
“Are we seeing the man with our eyes?” Lila asked.
“We are going to the festival.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
Maya gave her a look.
Lila smiled.
They entered the park shortly after noon.
Adrian stood near a temporary stage beside Celeste and several local officials.
He looked exactly as he did in photographs, yet completely different from the man Maya remembered.
The warmth had left his face.
His shoulders carried a permanent tension.
He smiled for cameras without allowing the expression to reach his eyes.
Maya felt no satisfaction in seeing him unhappy.
Only grief for the years they had both lost.
Elias moved through the crowd toward Adrian.
Before he reached him, Celeste noticed Maya.
Her face tightened.
She whispered something to Conrad’s security chief.
Two men began moving toward the children.
Maya immediately turned the stroller around.
“We’re leaving.”
Lila looked back.
“But he’s there.”
“Now, Lila.”
The children obeyed, sensing the fear in her voice.
Maya pushed the stroller down the cobblestone path.
Behind her, the crowd applauded as Adrian finished a short speech.
Then Lila dropped the small stuffed rabbit she had been carrying.
She ran back three steps to retrieve it.
Adrian stepped away from the stage at that exact moment.
He saw her.
Lila looked up.
Their eyes met.
Adrian stopped walking.
Noah and Finn turned at the sound of Maya calling Lila’s name.
Adrian saw all three children together.
He stared at their faces.
The resemblance was undeniable.
Maya reached Lila and pulled her close.
Adrian moved toward them.
“Maya?”
The sound of her name in his voice erased five years for one dangerous second.
Then Celeste appeared behind him.
Photographers followed, believing they were witnessing an unexpected reunion with an old friend.
Adrian’s attention never left the children.
“Maya, whose children are they?”
She gripped the stroller.
“This has nothing to do with you.”
He looked wounded.
“Everything about you once had something to do with me.”
“Once.”
Lila studied him openly.
“Mommy, why does that man look like us?”
The photographers fell silent.
Celeste stepped backward.
Adrian’s expression broke.
“How old are they?”
Maya did not answer.
“How old?”
Noah moved in front of his siblings.
“Don’t shout at our mother.”
Adrian immediately lowered his voice.
“I’m sorry.”
The apology was directed at Noah, but his eyes remained on Maya.
Celeste grabbed Adrian’s arm.
“We should leave.”
He pulled free.
“Did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That Maya was pregnant.”
Celeste’s silence answered him.
Before Adrian could question her, the black sedan stopped beside the park.
Elias stepped out holding the sealed DNA envelope.
He had received the results nearly twenty-four hours early.
Someone had attempted to access the laboratory’s system.
He placed the envelope in Maya’s hands.
“This cannot wait.”
May you like
A silver limousine appeared behind him.
Conrad had arrived.
