To give the trio time to recuperate, the submarine anchored in a secluded cove off the coast of Canada. Fully stocked with rations and supplies, it was practically a fortress—and to Ethan's amusement, it even featured a high-tech rec room packed with gaming rigs.
Ethan spent the next week taking it easy, gaming with Asher and Liam while his body healed. The moment he was finally able to walk without a limp, the submarine's engines hummed back to life.
Before long, the vessel docked silently at Terminal A4. Ethan stood by the hatch, bidding a quiet farewell to Liam and Asher. As soon as his boots hit the solid ground of the terminal, the submarine slipped beneath the black water, vanishing without a trace.
I've handed all the evidence over to Liam. He'll handle the rest, Ethan thought, watching the ripples dissolve on the water's surface. For now, the Fourth Branch of Loop is completely taken care of.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from Allen.
Allen: Where are you man? Ya alive?
Ethan smiled faintly and typed back.
Ethan: Yes. How are you?
Allen: Why aren't you coming to school?
Ethan: I've been visiting some friends.
Allen: Okay. But you seriously need to get back here. I heard exams are starting next week.
Ethan blinked in surprise.
Ethan: Okay, thanks for letting me know.
Allen: No worries. You need to start focusing. Madison is already locked in and studying like crazy.
Shoving the phone back into his pocket, Ethan exhaled a long breath into the cool air.
"For now, I just need to rest," he murmured to himself. "And I absolutely cannot let Mother and Daisy find out about these injuries."
It was the twilight hour of the early morning. The sun hadn't even broken the horizon yet, and the streets were completely devoid of taxis. With his hands buried deep in his pockets, Ethan began the long walk home through the quiet, foggy streets.
Soon, Ethan was standing in front of his house. He quietly unlocked the door and stepped inside, the familiar warmth of home washing over him. A soft light was coming from the kitchen, and he smiled when he saw his mother already awake, moving quietly around the counters.
He shut the door softly behind him and walked over.
She turned, her face instantly lighting up with a warm smile. "You're back! Did you guys have fun?"
Ethan nodded, offering a reassuring smile.
They moved into the living room, keeping their voices down to a low whisper so they wouldn't wake Daisy or Grandpa.
His mother immediately began checking in on him, asking if he had slept well and if he was eating properly. Ethan smiled, answering every question positively to keep her mind at ease.
"You can go up to your room and rest more if you want," his mother offered gently.
Ethan shook his head. "No, I've missed too much school already."
His mother nodded approvingly.
An comfortable silence settled between them for a few moments. Ethan hesitated, staring at the floor, before finally breaking it.
"Mother?"
She looked up at him. "Yes, dear?"
"Is there anyone in our family... who is super rich?" Ethan asked, trying to sound casual.
His mother paused, thinking it over, before giving a soft, humble smile. "Well, we are better off than many, Ethan. We should always be grateful for what we have."
Ethan nodded quickly. "Yeah, of course. But... is there anyone who is super-duper rich? Someone who has a really good relationship with our family?"
His mother frowned slightly, racking her brain for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I don't think so."
Ethan nodded, a bit disappointed. But just as he was about to drop it, a look of sudden realization flashed across his mother's face, as if a distant memory had just sparked.
"Your father..." she began slowly.
Ethan's posture instantly straightened. He looked at her with intense curiosity. "What about him?"
"...He had a friend," she continued, looking wistfully into the distance. "A friend who was the son of a very, very powerful, wealthy man."
Ethan nodded, his heart beating a little faster. "Does he know about me?"
"I don't know, and honestly, I doubt it," she replied. "He became incredibly busy afterward because he was the heir to a massive corporate empire. But... it's possible your father might have told him about you before they lost touch."
Ethan swallowed hard, leaning forward. "Mother, can you tell me his name?"
She nodded naturally and spoke the name.
Ethan's eyes widened in sheer shock. The world seemed to stop around him.
Him? He was a friend of my father's?! Ethan's mind raced, a chilling realization washing over him. So... is he the one who bought my life?
Seeing the color drain from Ethan's face and the intense, dark look in his eyes, his mother's smile faded. "Ethan? Is something wrong?"
Ethan snapped out of it, instantly forcing his usual calm smile back onto his face. "No. No, it's alright."
His mother looked at him skeptively for a second, then nodded, letting it go.
"Mother, I really missed your cooking," Ethan said after a few seconds, successfully changing the subject. "Can I have some breakfast?"
Her warm smile returned instantly. "Of course."
She headed back into the kitchen, leaving Ethan alone in the dim living room. He sank heavily into the couch, his mind spiraling into a vortex of unanswered questions as he waited for his food.