"Mommy, I want to see where you work!"
Ethan's voice was sweet and persistent, his round eyes blinking like two silver stars.
Elena smiled helplessly as she tied his scarf.
"Sweetheart, Mommy works at the clinic, not a candy shop. You'll get bored."
"I won't!" Ethan puffed up his cheeks. "I can help Dr. Mason! Maybe I'll be a doctor too!"
Elena laughed softly, tapping his nose.
"You already think too much for a five-year-old."
---
But fate had its own plans.
That same afternoon, Elena had to deliver some medical files to the city center.
Ethan insisted on tagging along.
By the time they arrived, she realized the client office belonged to—
The Blackwood Group.
Her heart dropped.
The receptionist smiled politely.
"Ms. Carter? Mr. Blackwood is still in a meeting. You can wait inside."
"No need," Elena said quickly, clutching the folder. "I'll just leave it at the desk."
But before she could turn around—
Ethan's hand slipped from hers.
"Ethan!"
He had wandered off—straight toward the open office door at the end of the hall.
---
Inside, Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, speaking to his assistant.
He turned slightly when he heard the sound of tiny footsteps.
A little boy peeked in, holding a small toy car.
For a second, their eyes met—gray against black.
Adrian froze.
That face. Those eyes.
The same ones that haunted him in dreams.
Ethan tilted his head curiously.
"You're the man from the hospital!"
Adrian's expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"And you're the brave boy who saved me."
"I didn't save you," Ethan said earnestly, clutching his toy.
"I just pulled your hand because you looked sad."
Adrian blinked. "Sad?"
Ethan nodded solemnly.
"Yeah. Like someone who lost something important."
Those words hit deeper than the boy could ever understand.
Before Adrian could respond, Elena's voice echoed down the hallway—
"Ethan!"
She appeared in the doorway, breathless, her eyes wide with panic.
"Mommy!" Ethan grinned, running to her. "Look! It's the uncle I told you about!"
Elena froze.
The same chill from the gala night crawled up her spine.
Adrian's lips curved slightly, his voice low.
"So this is your son."
Her fingers tightened around Ethan's shoulder.
"Mr. Blackwood," she said evenly, forcing calm, "thank you for being kind to him. We'll be going now."
But as she turned to leave, Adrian's gaze followed them,
sharp and unreadable.
> Ethan Moore.
Elena Carter.
The same eyes. The same heartbeat.
He finally smiled—cold, certain, almost dangerous.
> "We'll meet again… Mrs. Carter."
🌹 Chapter 7 Pacing & Structure Analysis (Webnovel Viral Beat Pattern)
Pacing Beat Function
1. Child Takes the Initiative → Shifts the atmosphere, blending warmth with subtle suspense
2. First Father–Son One-on-One Interaction → Establishes the fated emotional connection line
3. "The Sad Person" Line → Symbolizes hidden emotional wounds and touches the male lead
4. Female Lead Rushes In → Sparks conflict, protection instinct, and emotional tension
5. Male Lead's Final Line → Creates suspense + delivers a soft reversal hook
💬
Do you think Adrian already suspects the truth?
👉 Tell me in the comments — I'm curious!
⚔️ Suspense Focus:
What secret does the child unknowingly hold?
Hook Sentence:
> "You're the man from my dreams, aren't you?"