OLIVIA’S POV

I stepped out of the room, my heart still heavy with the weight of the conversation, My mind was racing with fragments of emotions and questions I couldn’t yet answer.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, my eyes met Adrian, who was leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable. His gaze was steady, focused on me, and I instantly knew–he had heard everything.

He straightened up the moment I walked out, clearing his throat subtly as if preparing to speak or perhaps offering a silent acknowledgment. But I wasn’t in the mood for an exchange. I wasn’t ready to confront whatever thoughts he had about what he’d just heard. So, without a word, I brushed past him, my heels tapping softly against the floor, echoing the silence between bus/b.

I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contacts until found Julian’s name. I pressed the call button and held the phone to my ear, listening to the dial tone bas /bI stepped outside.

The line rang several times before it disconnected. I sighed. He was probably away from his phone. Still, I needed him with me today. I gave it a few more seconds and tried calling again. This time, after the third ring, he picked up.

“Was in the shower a few minutes ago. Talk to bme/b,” he said, his voice a little breathless.

“I got them to talk,” I said quickly, not wanting to waste time. “They don’t know my biological parents personally, but they did tell me which orphanage they adopted me from. So… maybe someone there might have answers.”

Julian let out a thoughtful hum on the other end of the line. “That’s not much, but it’s something. You want me to tag along?”

“Yes,” I replied immediately. “You’re the one helping me track them down. You need to hear everything firsthand.”

“Where should we meet up?” he asked, always practical.

I paused, then frowned. “Meet up? Adrian already knows I’m going to the orphanage. If he sees us together, what happened thest time might repeat itself I’ll just send you the address, and you cane straight there.”

“Alright,” Julian said, and I could hear the sound of movement in the background.” Send it now, and I’ll get dressed.”

We ended the call, and I immediately opened our chat thread, typing the address and hitting send. I tucked the phone bback /binto my purse and stepped into the Uber that had just arrived. I gave the driver a small nod and settled into the back seat, staring out the window.

The ride felt longer bthan /busual as if time had decided to stretch itself just to toy with

CHAPTER bDAD /bollime. My stomach was in knots, anticipation mixing with fear. I was finally going to see the ce that had been a part of my earliest years–the ce I had no memory of but that might hold the missing pieces of my identity. I prayed silently that they would. have records, names, something that could lead me to the truth. /li/ol

When the car pulled up at the orphanage gate, I handed the driver his fare and stepped out. The building looked old but well–kept, with faded paint on the walls and a

small garden by the side. I stood at the entrance, ncing up at the sign, a strange mix

of nostalgia and unfamiliarity washing over me.

Julian hadn’t arrived yet, so I waited by the gate, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Instinctively, I scanned the area–left, then right. No suspicious vehicles. No lingering shadows. Being married to Adrian had taught me to always stay alert, event when I didn’t want to be.

I pulled out my phone and texted Julian: “I’m at the gate. Waiting.” I kept my eyes on the screen, watching for the typing bubble to appear.

Nothing..

I refreshed the chat. Still nothing.

I tapped my phone against my palm repeatedly, ncing down at the screen every few. seconds, hoping to see a reply from Julian. The seconds dragged by painfully, my nerves building with each passing moment. I was growing more restless than I cared to admit.

I’d been waiting at the gate for a while now, and every minute that passed felt like a missed opportunity, but anticipation. I was so close. So close to uncovering something–anything–about where I came from, and I didn’t want to waste time standing outside.

I turned around and scanned the street again, eyes darting left and right, but there was still no sign of Julian, he knew that he needed to hear things firsthand. But now he was nowhere in sight, and I was growing tired of waiting. My foot tapped impatiently against the pavement.

Should I go in without him? He had the address. He could find me inside easily enough. And time… time wasn’t exactly on our side here. Every second counted

I hesitated, biting my lip, before finally turning back to face the imposing iron gates in front of me. I drew in a deep/breath and stepped forward, squinting as the sunlight bounced off the metal. To the right of the gate, I spotted a small silver doorbell. I walked over and pressed it. Once. Twice. On the third press, a faint click sounded, followed by a calm voice from a tiny speaker box mounted beside it.

“Good day, madam. How may I help you today?”

The voice was polite, professional, and clear. I had to give them credit–security was tight. Which, under normal circumstances, would be reassuring. But in my case, it only made bthings /bharder. I didn’t know anyone who worked here. I didn’t have an

ar

appointment or a referral. And I had no idea what kind of exnation I could give that would get me through that gate.

My mouth opened slightly as I fumbled for something to say, but nothing came out.

“Hello?” the voice asked again, a little more firmly this time.

Panic was starting to settle in when suddenly, I felt a warm breath against the back of my neck. I stiffened, startled, then turned just as an arm reached forward and calmly. pressed a button on the speaker.

“We’re here to adopt, of course,” the familiar voice said smoothly.

I blinked, then turned to face him, already knowing who it was.

Julian.

Late. Of course.

He looked smug like he’d just saved the day. Did he think this was some dramatic soap opera? A Zee World finale?

“You showed upte just to make a grand entrance?” I said, narrowing my eyes. yfully. “What kept you?”

He smirked and gave a slight shrug. “I had something important to take care of before I left. But it looks like I came just in time.”

“Yeah, yeah. Lucky you,” I said, bumping him lightly on the shoulder. “One secondter and I would’ve popped your arm off.”

Before he could respond, a loud metallic click echoed from the gate. With a mechanical groan, the iron bars began to swing open automatically. We both turned to face the opening and without another word, we walked through side by side.

Thepound was beautiful. A burst of color greeted us as we stepped inside- flowers blooming along the walkways, a well–keptwn, and the sound ofughter in the distance. Children yed happily on the yground, their joy infectious. It was -hard to imagine that this serene ce held pieces of my forgotten past.

young woman in a neat uniform approached us with a bright smile. “Hello, I’m Mia. Please follow me,” she said, before turning on her heel and heading toward the main building.

We followed close behind, the gravel crunching softly beneath our feet. I leaned toward Julian, lowering my voice.

“So… what nowi?/i” I murmured. “We obviously didn’te here to adopt.”

CHAPTER OR1