Click—
The door opened.
May stood there wearing an apron, strands of hair softly framing her face.
"Karl… you're here."
There was unmistakable warmth in her voice.
Karl handed her the bouquet of blue roses.
"For you. Do you like them?"
"I love them."
She lifted the flowers, inhaling their fragrance, her eyes bright.
Karl stepped closer and gently wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her into his embrace.
They held each other's gaze.
Her lips parted slightly, her cheeks flushed with a warm glow, her eyes soft and luminous.
Karl could no longer resist.
He kissed her.
May responded with quiet intensity, her gentleness melting into a deeper passion that contrasted with her usual composure.
Time blurred.
When they finally separated, Karl sat on the edge of the bed, May resting against him in his arms.
"Have you thought about it?" he asked softly. "Come live with me. You and Peter. If the suburbs feel too remote, I can buy a place in Manhattan."
May placed a finger gently against his lips.
"You don't need to do everything for me," she said softly. "We can live together… but I don't want you carrying everything alone. Alright?"
Her words warmed him.
In his previous life, he had seen too many relationships built on one-sided giving. May's refusal to accept blind sacrifice only deepened his feelings for her.
"Alright," he said, taking her hand. "Tomorrow is Saturday. After picking up Peter, we'll go home together. How does that sound?"
She hesitated.
"…How do we explain… us… to Peter?"
Karl kissed her forehead.
"You can tell him I'll be part of the family from now on."
She nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
They stayed in each other's arms until evening.
Then Karl left to pick up Peter while May packed their essentials.
Outside Peter's School
Karl drove toward the school.
Near the entrance, a commotion caught his attention.
A group of children surrounded Peter.
"Haha! He's the kid with no parents!"
"He's poor!"
A boy tugged at a large man's sleeve.
"Dad, he broke my pencil case!"
Peter's face was streaked with tears.
"I didn't! I swear I didn't!" he pleaded, voice trembling.
The man stepped forward, looming over him.
Just then—
ROOOAR—
A black Lamborghini surged toward the curb like a predator.
Karl braked hard, stopping inches away.
Everyone froze.
The man recovered first and shouted angrily:
"Are you looking to die?!"
Karl stepped out calmly.
Without raising his voice, he slapped the man aside with controlled force, sending him stumbling backward.
Karl crouched beside Peter.
"Did they bully you?"
Peter sniffled.
"He said I broke it… I didn't… he called his father…"
Karl wiped Peter's tears with a handkerchief.
"I understand. I'll handle it."
The man charged in anger.
Karl sidestepped and swept his legs, dropping him to the ground.
From his pocket, Karl pulled a thick wad of cash and tossed it beside him.
"Consider this compensation for the pencil case."
He turned away and guided Peter toward the car.
The man stayed down, suddenly far less brave.
A man who could casually throw down thousands of dollars and drive a car like that was not someone to provoke.
Inside the Lamborghini, Peter stared wide-eyed, unsure what to say.
Karl smiled but remained silent, letting the boy calm down.
They drove back to May's house.
May was already waiting outside with packed bags.
She got in immediately while Karl helped Peter into the back seat — not designed for passengers, but workable.
They drove toward the farm.
Karl and May talked softly, occasionally laughing.
Peter sat quietly, absorbing everything — confused but excited. It was his first ride in a supercar.
The world suddenly felt larger.
And safer.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the farmhouse.
Karl had already instructed the shadow ninjas to clean and prepare everything.
The house was spotless.
The farm orderly.
Efficient. Silent. Perfect.
The shadow servants never tired, never complained, never needed rest.
A tireless workforce operating in absolute secrecy.
Karl shook his head slightly.
Convenient…
and slightly terrifying.
For now, however, it meant one thing:
May and Peter had a safe place to call home.
...…