DAMIR
I had just come back from Eli's room. My body was still hot with the frustration of watching my baby look like that tipsy, vulnerable, and completely unaware of the eyes that might have lingered a little too long. I didn't even need to say much. They knew I was pissed. The alcohol, the late-night antics, the project they conveniently forgot about. But for Eli, I said nothing more. I couldn't, not when I knew just looking at him the wrong way would shatter his mood. So I walked out, calm, stone-faced, but boiling beneath.
I entered my study, clicking the main lights off with one hit of the switch. The dim light from the hallway seeped into the room just enough for me to breathe in the stillness. The only sound was the subtle hum of the electronics and the faint rustle of trees swaying outside. My hands pressed into the armrest of my chair as I sat, back straight, jaw locked, teeth grinding together slightly.
I wasn't in the mood to work. I just wanted to sit. Think.
It was still early. The sky hadn't even begun to brighten yet. But my peace shattered the second the door burst open.
I didn't move. I didn't speak. I didn't even blink.
The hall light caught their silhouettes just enough for me to see….Lian stormed in, dragging someone by the collar.
Adam.
They didn't know it was my study. Their voices came before their faces did.
"Are you that heartless?!" Lian was trembling. His voice cracked with pure rage and something deeper..betrayal. "Why would you try to destroy his happiness like that?"
My fingers flexed.
Adam stumbled, trying to pull free, face flushed. "I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Shut the fuck up!" Lian's voice hit like a whip. His chest was heaving. I could see him clearly now. "You kissed him. You fucking kissed him, Adam! He was drunk and barely standing! And you….you took advantage of that?!"
Kissed…?
My mind went blank.
Kissed who?
Eli?.
My baby.
My hands clenched into fists, but I stayed seated. Still. Unmoving. Watching. Listening.
Adam's voice was shakier now. "I didn't…i… mean…he was right there, and I just…I can make him happy. I can give him more happiness than you think. More than Damir ever…."
My name?
What gave him the privilege to say my name?
I swallowed down the sudden spike of heat in my chest. No sound left me. I let them talk.
"You're insane," Lian seethed, his back rising and falling. "He cherishes that man like he's his whole damn life. You think you can just swoop in while he's not looking and take that from him?"
Adam gritted his teeth. "He doesn't even treat Eli like someone his age! Always babying him. Locking him up behind guards. That's not love, that's obsession. I could…."
"Don't you fucking dare finish that sentence."
I said it.
Finally.
The silence that followed was so thick, I could've cut it with a knife. Adam's head jerked toward the sound, eyes widening with horror. Lian turned slowly, mouth parting in realization.
I stood from the chair, still cloaked in the dark, only the hallway light outlining my form.
Neither of them moved.
I just walked past them, brushing Lian's shoulder slightly, letting my steps echo against the floor as I left the room.
I didn't need to say more. Not yet.
But I was watching now.
When breakfast came around later that morning, I sat at the table. Eyes calm. Hands folded. Eli was between the two of them, his smile gone. The sparkle in his eyes replaced by something tight and restless.
He didn't look at Adam. Didn't joke. Didn't bring up any topic. He forced a laugh or two when Lian tried to lighten the mood, but it was clear.
He remembered.
And Adam?
He kept glancing at Eli. Watching him. Like he was waiting for something. Maybe guilt. Maybe regret.