Outside the car window, dense forest spread like a green ocean, sunlight filtering through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Leo pressed excitedly against the window, exclaiming at each new discovery.

As the car turned onto a hidden road, the trees gradually thinned, revealing an elegant wooden villa. It wasn’t ostentatious like the mansion I had imagined, but rather harmoniously integrated with the natural surroundings, large glass windows reflecting the sunlight.


“This place is huge!” Leo ran excitedly into the spacious living room, the wooden floor resonating warmly under his little feet. “Is there a swimming pool?”

“In the backyard,” a familiar voice answered.

Ethan stood in the doorway, dressed in casual jeans and a white shirt, looking much younger than he did at the office. He watched Leo nervously, his eyes full of anticipation and uncertainty, his fingers trembling slightly—a small detail that tugged at my heart. As powerful as Ethan Morgan was, he too felt nervous and vulnerable when facing his own son.


Leo suddenly turned shy, hiding behind me, his small hands clutching my skirt tightly, though his eyes still curiously examined Ethan. It was a remarkable moment—father and son truly face to face for the first time, connected by blood yet strangers to each other.

“Leo,” I said softly, crouching down to his eye level, my fingers gently stroking his cheek, “this is Ethan, the one we talked about yesterday… your daddy.”


The air seemed to freeze. Ethan slowly crouched down to Leo’s eye level. “Hi, Leo. I’m so glad to finally meet you.” His voice was deep and warm, with a barely perceptible tremor.

Leo hesitated, then stepped out from behind me and cautiously asked, “Are you really my daddy?” His voice was tiny, filled with hope and uncertainty.

Ethan nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. “Yes, I am. I’m so sorry I’m only appearing in your life now.” He extended his hand but didn’t touch Leo, giving him space and time to accept this reality.

“Did you get my letters?” Leo suddenly asked.

Ethan looked at me in confusion, and I was equally puzzled.

“What letters?” Ethan asked softly.

“I write letters to Daddy every Christmas,” Leo explained. “Mom said you were working far away and might not receive them, but I wrote them anyway.”

My heart clenched. Leo had never told me about these letters. Where had he been hiding them? This little secret both hurt and touched me. My little boy had been trying to connect with the father he’d never met in his own way.

Ethan’s expression turned soft yet pained, his hand trembling slightly as if wanting to touch Leo but unsure if he should. “I didn’t receive them, Leo. But I really wish I had. Can you tell me what you wrote in them?”

Leo thought for a moment, his small hands unconsciously playing with the hem of his shirt. “I told you I learned to ride a bike, and that I got star stickers at school, and…” he suddenly grew excited, his little face lighting up with a brilliant smile, “I told you I wanted to learn baseball! Will you teach me?”

“Of course,” Ethan’s voice choked slightly, the emotion in his eyes so intense it was almost difficult to look at. “I’d love to teach you. In fact, I brought some equipment.”

He pointed to a sports bag by the doorway containing baseballs, gloves, and a small bat.

Leo’s eyes lit up, all shyness vanishing, replaced by pure excitement and anticipation.

“Can we do it now?” he asked eagerly, his small hands already reaching for the sports bag.

Ethan looked at me, seeking permission. I nodded in agreement, my feelings mixed. Watching Leo and Ethan walk toward the backyard together, I felt both relieved and worried. Leo had accepted Ethan so easily, and Ethan seemed so genuinely eager to be a good father. But our situation remained dangerous, the future full of uncertainty.

I stood by the window, watching them on the backyard lawn. Ethan patiently taught Leo how to hold the bat, how to stand, how to swing. His movements were gentle yet firm, his eyes filled with undisguisable love and pride. And Leo, my little boy, radiated pure joy, jumping excitedly with each successful hit, seeking Ethan’s approval.

They looked so natural together, so harmonious, as if they had always been together rather than just meeting. The power of blood ties was truly miraculous, bridging time and distance to connect them.

Watching this scene, I felt my eyes grow moist. This should have happened five years ago—Ethan holding newborn Leo for the first time, teaching him to walk, to talk, sharing every first moment of his life. But fate and William Morgan’s interference had robbed them of these precious moments.

—

After dinner, Leo finally fell asleep following his exciting day. Ethan and I sat on the terrace, the distant forest appearing serene and mysterious in the moonlight.

“He’s really special,” Ethan said softly, his eyes filled with pride. “Raising him alone, you must have gone through so much.”

“Every day was a challenge, but also a gift.” I gazed at the starry sky, recalling those difficult yet precious times. “Sometimes I wonder, if things had been different, if our life paths hadn’t been interrupted…”

“I’ve missed so much,” Ethan’s voice was low, filled with deep regret. “His first steps, his first words, all those moments I should have been present for.”

I turned to him, his profile exceptionally clear in the moonlight, the pain and regret in his eyes so genuine. “We can’t change the past, Ethan. We were both kept in the dark, both pawns in William’s game. What matters is now, and the future. Leo needs us united, especially in these dangerous times.”

Ethan nodded, then pulled a USB drive from his pocket. “This contains the detailed schedule and security plan for the launch event. I’ve arranged everything—you’ll have 15 minutes to access the core servers. Sophie will provide support from the perimeter.”

I took the USB drive, feeling a wave of tension. “What if I’m discovered?”

“You won’t be,” Ethan said firmly, his hand gently covering mine, the warmth of his touch particularly noticeable in the cool night air. “I’ll make sure William and Thompson’s attention stays on the launch event. You just need to find the Phoenix algorithm’s original code and the communication records between my father and your parents.”

We discussed the plan’s details until late into the night. As I prepared to return to my room, Ethan suddenly caught my hand. His touch was gentle yet firm, making me pause involuntarily.

“Olivia, whatever happens, I will protect you and Leo,” his gaze was intensely serious, his blue pupils like the deep sea in the moonlight. “Even if it means opposing my father.”

I looked into his eyes and saw the determination and honesty I knew so well. Eight years ago, this was the Ethan I fell in love with—principled, brave, willing to stand up for what was right.

“I believe you,” I finally said, realizing it was true. Despite past hurts, despite present dangers, I truly believed he would protect Leo and stand on the side of justice.

His hand gently tightened around mine, his thumb drawing small circles on the back of my hand, that intimate touch reminding me of our time together. He stepped forward, reducing the distance between us, and I could feel his breath brushing my cheek.

“Olivia…” he whispered, his voice filled with inexpressible emotion.

For a moment, I thought he might kiss me, and my heart nearly stopped. But he only gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, the gesture so tender it broke my heart.

“Goodnight,” he finally said, his voice deep and warm. “Tomorrow is an important day. You need to rest.”

I nodded, feeling a strange mixture of disappointment and relief.

Back in my room, I gently pushed open Leo’s door and watched his peaceful sleeping face. He was clutching the baseball glove Ethan had given him, a contented smile on his lips. In this short day, he had gained what he had always dreamed of—a father.

And I had gained an ally, perhaps even more. But more importantly, I saw hope—hope for Leo to have a complete family, hope for justice for my parents, hope for all of us to have a new beginning.