Evan's heart slammed against his ribs like it was trying to escape.
He stepped back immediately.
The moment broke.
The fragile closeness shattered.
Adrian's eyes lowered, shadowed, hurt flickering through them for just a second.
Evan turned toward the living room, forcing air back into his lungs.
"I don't know what I feel," he said honestly. "And right now… feelings don't matter. The children do."
Adrian exhaled slowly. "Then what do you want to do about Lucas?"
Evan wrapped his arms around himself.
"I'll let him see them."
Adrian's head snapped up. "Evan—"
"Supervised," Evan added. "Here. In the villa. With me there."
Adrian's jaw tightened in disapproval, but he didn't argue further.
Instead, he asked, "When?"
"Not today," Evan whispered. "Not tomorrow."
He looked toward the twins — Ethan concentrating on his food, Ella swinging her legs.
"When I'm ready."
Adrian nodded reluctantly. "I'll arrange security."
"Thank you."
When the twins finished breakfast, Adrian drove them to the academy grounds to register them.
Evan stayed behind.
He needed the quiet.
He needed the space.
He sat on the living room sofa, staring at the untouched cup of tea on the table.
Knock. Knock.
Evan froze.
No one knocked.
Security always called through the intercom.
Slowly, he walked toward the door and opened it—
—and his breath caught.
Lucas stood there.
Holding a small bag in his hands.
Evan's heartbeat stumbled in confusion.
"What are you doing here?" Evan whispered.
Lucas adjusted the small bag nervously, looking almost… shy.
"I… um…"
He swallowed.
"I brought breakfast for the twins."
Evan stared, stunned.
Lucas added quickly, "I asked security first. They approved it."
Evan blinked. "Why would you—?"
"Because I missed six years of mornings," Lucas said softly. "And I want to learn how to start giving something now."
Evan felt his breath catch.
Lucas held the bag out gently.
"Please," Lucas said quietly. "Let me at least do this much."
Evan slowly reached out and took the bag.
"I won't come inside," he said. "Not until you want me to."
Evan's chest tightened.
Lucas looked at him one last time — a gaze full of unspoken things — then turned and walked away.
Evan closed the door softly.
Then pressed his forehead against it…
And realized his hands wouldn't stop shaking.
Evan didn't sleep that night.
He lay awake in the unfamiliar softness of the penthouse bed, staring at the ceiling while the city lights bled through the curtains. The twins were curled up in the bedroom next door.
When dawn finally crept in, Evan pushed himself out of bed, washed his face, and forced calm into his expression. He had always been good at that—pretending nothing was wrong even when his chest felt too tight to breathe.
He stepped out into the living room—
Only to find Adrian already awake, sitting on the couch with a tablet on his knee and a mug of steaming tea beside him. His posture was casual, but his eyes lifted to Evan like he had been waiting.
"Morning," Evan murmured.
"You didn't sleep," Adrian replied without looking away.
Evan froze mid-step. "…How would you know that?"
Adrian set the tablet aside.
"Because when you lie awake, your scent changes," he said quietly. "And I could smell it from the hallway."
Evan's breath hitched. He lowered his gaze, fingers tightening around the fabric of his shirt.
"I'm fine."
"No," Adrian said gently, "you're not."
The kindness in his voice made something inside Evan crumble. But he forced a smile anyway.
"It's just… a lot."
"Lucas?" Adrian asked.
That single name made Evan's heart throb.
"I didn't expect him to… show up like that. With roses. With that look…" His voice grew soft, almost pained. "He shouldn't look at me like he still has the right."
Adrian rose, his footsteps silent as he crossed the living room.
"He thinks he has the right because he doesn't know the full truth," he said. "He doesn't understand what he threw away."
Evan lifted his head.
"Adrian…"
"I know you don't want conflict," Adrian said, stopping in front of him. "But Lucas Hale is not going to stay quiet. He will come again. And again. Until he gets answers."
Evan swallowed hard.
"He can't. The twins… they…"
His voice trailed off, but Adrian understood immediately. His eyes softened.
"Evan, listen to me," Adrian said calmly, "whether he comes for you or for them, I will protect all three of you."
Evan's throat went tight. He felt Adrian's assurance.
There was a knock on the door.
Both of them turned.
Evan's heart dropped.
Adrian stepped in front of him instinctively, eyes sharpening. "Stay behind me."
"Adrian, wait—"
But it was too late. The door clicked open.
And Lucas stood there.
Just raw determination in his eyes.
He stepped inside like he had every right, but froze when he saw Adrian standing protectively in front of Evan.
The silence cracked with tension.
Lucas's jaw tightened. "You're here early," Adrian said calmly.
"Because Evan didn't answer my messages," Lucas replied. "And because I'm not leaving things unclear."
"Lucas… you shouldn't be here."
"Yes, I should." Lucas's gaze softened when it landed on Evan. "Yesterday, I didn't get to say what I needed to."
Adrian took a step forward. "You said enough."
Lucas's eyes turned ice-cold. "I wasn't talking to you."
Adrian's expression didn't change, but the air grew tense. Evan quickly reached between them.
"Both of you, stop." He shot Lucas a warning look. "Why are you here?"
Lucas exhaled shakily. "To apologize."
Evan blinked.
Lucas stepped closer—slow enough to give Evan time to pull away if he wished. "What I did five years ago… was unforgivable. I know that. But seeing you again yesterday…" His voice broke faintly. "Evan, I can't pretend I don't want a second chance."
Adrian's jaw clenched.
Evan's heart twisted painfully.
"Lucas… it's not that simple."
"I know." Lucas's eyes glimmered with desperation. "But the children…
"Stop." Evan's voice sharpened. "I'm not discussing the twins with you."
Lucas flinched as if struck.
Adrian stepped forward, voice cool. "He doesn't owe you an explanation."
But Lucas didn't look away from Evan.
"I don't want to take them," Lucas whispered. "I don't want a custody battle.
Evan felt his hands tremble.
He hadn't been ready for this conversation. Not now. Not with Adrian and Lucas in the same room, both looking at him like he held their world in his hands.
Adrian's voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. "Evan, you don't have to answer."
But Lucas took another step.
"Look me in the eyes," he pleaded. "If they're not mine… just tell me. I'll believe you."
Evan's lips parted.