When Lucas mentioned the names Clara and Rayn, Ethan froze, his face draining of color. Lucas saw the reaction and continued gently. "I know it already. Eli is Clara's son. Both my brother, Rayn, and your sister, Clara, loved and married, but unfortunately, fate made them both dead in a car accident," Lucas said, using the official, painful cover story.
Ethan knew the real, devastating reason for their deaths. He couldn't face Lucas now. Suddenly, he stood up. "Lucas, sleep. It's already late." He quickly went back inside the room where Eli was sleeping.
Ah, suddenly what happened to him? Lucas thought, hurt. Hmm, I can't see my brother back, but at least I can see my brother through Eli. Lucas soon fell asleep, his mind heavy with regret.
It was already early morning. The CEO was still sleeping heavily, but Ethan had already finished his shower. "Ahhh, it's already late. I need to make breakfast!" Ethan murmured.
Lucas woke up at the sound, seeing it was only 6:30 AM. He got up and saw Ethan, already dressed, putting clothes in the washing machine. "Hooo, darling, it's just early morning! If I were in my home, it would still be night for me!" Lucas complained.
"Ah, but this is not your home, this is mine, and here, morning starts at 5:30 AM!" Ethan retorted.
"5:30!?" Lucas was shocked.
"Oh, are you asking a medical student? Don't you remember? Back then, I barely slept for my studies. But now, I get up early, do yoga, and I have so much housework to do. I need to prepare breakfast and—preparing Eli is the biggest thing!" Ethan sighed, summarizing his demanding routine.
"Ohhhh, it's really so hard. You're doing all this in the early morning, while I only go to the gym in the evening, not the morning," Lucas said, impressed. "Hah, let me help you. I'll go get Eli ready for school."
Lucas went to Eli, who was still deeply asleep. "Ohhh, Eli baby, get up! Your dad is here. Get up!" Lucas pleaded. Eli just covered his head with the blanket.
"Ohhh, he is truly too much! Eli, if you get up, I'll take you shopping this evening!" Lucas promised. Eli still pretended not to hear him.
"Oh, aren't you still able to wake him up? If you ask him like that, he'll definitely not get up! Heyyy, Eli! If you don't get up in a minute, I'll be there!" Ethan shouted from the laundry room.
When Eli heard Ethan's voice, he instantly sat bolt upright.
"Ohhh, this is the power of Papa's voice!" Lucas laughed. "Come, baby, come. It's okay, I'll make you shower." Lucas took Eli into the bathroom.
While Ethan finished breakfast, Lucas brought Eli out after the shower. It was already 8:00 AM. "Ohhh, aren't you not finished yet? It's late!" Ethan grabbed Eli and quickly dried his hair. "Go, you shower. Come back fast," Ethan said.
Lucas went to shower. Ethan himself got Eli ready for school. Lucas returned from the shower with only a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Hey! Hey! Did I say don't come out without a shirt? Wait there! Before Eli sees you like this!" Ethan panicked, looking for a robe or a large shirt for Lucas.
"Then where's Eli?" Lucas asked, his eyes glinting playfully.
"Eli is in the neighbor's house; he's always going there before going to school," Ethan said, handing Lucas a large, oversized shirt.
As he said this, Lucas swiftly picked Ethan up in his arms. "Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Let me dress you myself," Lucas said, his eyes full of flirtatious challenge.
"No, no, leave me!" Ethan protested weakly.
"Haa, haa, no. Before my son comes back, I have to finish!" Lucas dragged Ethan toward the bed.
After a long while, Eli came back. "Papa, are done eating breakfast?" Eli asked innocently.
Ethan was fully dressed and packing Eli's lunch. Lucas, also dressed but smiling broadly, commented, "Yes, the breakfast is so good! Even though it looks hot, it's so sweet," he said, staring meaningfully at Ethan.
Ethan glared at him, grabbed the bag, and they all went to school.
Meanwhile, Sefan was waiting for Arlo in her lavish apartment. Arlo, following the address Sefan had given, arrived.
"Excuse me, Ma'am?" Arlo asked, nervous.
"Come fast!" Sefan demanded.
As soon as Arlo was inside, Sefan lunged. "Why did you lie to me!" Sefan demanded.
"Ahhh, what lie, Ma'am?" Arlo asked, trembling.
"What... lie!?" Sefan slapped Arlo hard across the face. "How dare you, b***h! You see that day, where Lucas hugged Ethan, right?" Sefan demanded, her voice shaking with violent rage.
Meanwhile, all three—Ethan, Lucas, and Eli—had arrived at Eli's school. It was the parents' festival, and every student was accompanied by their parents.
"Teacher, Teacher! As you said, I'm with my parents!" Eli announced proudly to his teacher.
The Principal rushed over. "Oh, you both are back together already?" the Principal asked Lucas and Ethan.
"Ahhh, sorry," Ethan apologized sheepishly.
"Oh, sorry, Dr. Ethan Stan, that Mr. Lucas is here. He requested me to talk with Eli. His genuine approach made me believe him and try to help him. But see now, Eli is so comfortable with him, just like you!" the Principal said warmly.
Ethan realized that Lucas's sincere caring towards Eli was genuine. He finally felt a true sense of relief and acceptance. Ahhh, it's true. He's also Eli's dad. He should have the right to love him.
"But I'm really sorry. I didn't tell you before that Eli has a dad," Ethan apologized to the Principal.
"Hey, that's okay! The main thing is you both went back together now! You can both raise Eli together!" the Principal said, beaming. Lucas stood proudly beside Ethan.
As they walked toward the playground, Ethan spoke softly. "Hmm, you're truly a good father."
"I'm not only a good father, but also a good husband! When are you going to marry me?" Lucas asked immediately.
"Marry? I'm not even accepting you as my boyfriend! You're dreaming about marriage!" Ethan countered, laughing.
"Uuuuuuuu! The train is here! Customers, please get up!" Eli shouted, playing. Suddenly, all three were swept into playing the game together. Lucas picked Eli up and turned around, while Ethan stood close to them, laughing.
At that exact moment, a hidden camera snapped a photo of the three of them together.
It was Sojuva, discreetly capturing the perfect image of the happy family.