Oliver gently closed the door, leaning his back against it for a moment. He didn't say a word.

Then he walked over to the bed, grabbed his iPad, and sat on top of the messy blanket.

His little fingers typed slowly, like each letter weighed more than the last.

Grayson Maxwell.

The search engine loaded in just one second.

And then… there he was. Photos. Videos. Headlines.

All of them… him.

Oliver saw a tall man. Elegant. His black hair perfectly styled, his expression serious. But his eyes… they were blue.

Just like his.

The boy swallowed hard, then slowly reached out and brushed his fingertips across the screen. As if touching it could bring him closer. To that face. To that presence that felt distant… but strangely familiar.

"Dad…" he whispered, voice small and trembling. His heart beat faster.

And for the first time in a long time, Oliver didn't feel so alone.

-

Hours later, Kate stood by the sink, scrubbing the same plate over and over without realizing it.