CHAPTER 54: WHERE IS GABRIEL?

W-what...?

I blinked twice in disbelief, unsure if I had heard him correctly.

"Did you just say your name is Gabriel Hariston?"

Paris leaned forward, her expression just as surprised.

"A-are you, by any chance, related to Denmark Hariston? The owner of the biggest entertainment company in the country—and one of the richest businessmen in all of Asia?"

If I was already stunned by what the boy had said, I was even more shocked by Paris’s reaction. How does she even know that name?

Gabriel’s eyes lit up the moment he heard it. "You know my grandfather?" he asked, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

"Of course!" Paris replied, almost scoffing. "Who doesn’t know that name? He’s a business tycoon—basically a legend. But are you really his grandson?" She narrowed her eyes at him, skeptical. "Because if you are... what on earth is someone like you—a Hariston—doing in a place like this?"

"I am his grandson!" Gabriel insisted. "If you don’t believe me, I can introduce you to him—just say the word!"

"W-wait, wait... kids.." I quickly stepped in, raising my hands to calm them both down.

I didn’t like where this conversation was heading—at all.

If Gabriel was serious, and he really tried to make that happen... things could get a lot more complicated than they already were. The last thing I wanted was for my daughters to get involved with that family.

"No more arguing. Let’s all just settle down and talk calmly, alright?" I said, focusing my gaze on Gabriel.

"Listen, I don’t know why someone from the Hariston family—like you—would end up here, just like my daughter said. But if you really are who you say you are... wouldn’t it be best to contact your family? Let them know where you are so they can come pick you up?"

I tried to keep my voice gentle, but firm. "Knowing your family’s reputation, they’re probably worried sick about you right now."

I stared at him intently. I don’t want anything to do with the Haristons anymore, and having this kid around my twins isn’t helping.

For all I know, he’s already being searched for, and if someone sees him with us, we might even be accused of kidnapping. Knowing the Haristons, there’s no way they’d let their grandson wander off—especially in a place like this.

Just the thought of crossing paths with that family again—in that way—terrifies me. Not for myself, but for the twins.

He looked away, eyes downcast.

"I-I told you already... I don’t want to go home," he said quietly, sadness heavy in his voice. "My parents are getting divorced... I don’t want to be alone."

I sighed, rubbing my forehead in frustration after hearing that.

"Then what’s your plan if you don’t want to go back?" I asked. "You’re not planning to just wander around in this dangerous place, are you?"

I leaned forward.

"If anyone finds out that a Hariston kid got lost in a place like this, someone will try to take advantage of you. Worse, they might harvest your organs and sell them straight to your family."

I glanced toward the twins and noticed them stepping back a little at what I said. It always works as a scare tactic on those two, so I figured he’d be shaken up, too.

But to my surprise, Gabriel only raised a brow, his expression flat, then frowned.

"That’s exactly what my uncle used to scare me with," he said with no reaction. "So... it doesn’t work on me anymore."

Then, in a firm voice, he added, "And my decision not to go home won’t change, so stop trying to convince me. It’s useless."

Then he turned his back and began walking away.

"Wait, k-kid—!"

I immediately reached out to stop him.

This kid is definitely a Hariston, judging by how stubborn he is. And honestly, that gives me even more reason not to just let him wander off on his own and become someone else’s problem.

He’s still a kid—he doesn’t understand how dangerous the world can be.

"Please don’t go off alone," I said, softening my voice. "If you’re really that determined to run away from home, it’s better if you stay with us for now. That way, I’ll at least have peace of mind knowing you’re safe."

He didn’t respond right away—just stared at me for a long while with those unreadable eyes.

Damn it... just say yes, kid...

I’m already going out of my way to help him—even knowing full well he’s a Hariston.

But even if he weren’t, I’d still be worried. If anything happened to him, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. I’d blame myself for it.

"Your house?" he finally said, glancing around. "Where even is your house?"

"It’s here!"

Egypt chimed in, running excitedly toward our small home and pointing at it. Her eyes were gleaming with joy. She looked thrilled that some kid might be staying with us, even just for a while.

"W-what?" Gabriel looked stunned. "Is that even a house?"

"Yes! This is our lovely home, so come on in!" Egypt grinned brightly before grabbing Gabriel’s hand without hesitation and trying to pull him inside.

"Egypt!" I shouted as Gabriel nearly tripped over the doorstep from her enthusiasm.

Haist... what do I even do now?

I can’t just let a Hariston stay here for long—especially not around the twins. I didn’t even ask who his parents are, but it could only be one of two people. Denmark Hariston has only two sons, Rome and Daniel.

And either option is... bad news.

-----

Meanwhile...

"What did you just say? You still don’t know where Gabriel is?!"

Rome’s voice was sharp as he pressed a hand to his forehead in frustration.

"This is all your fault, Rome!" Ingrid yelled furiously.

"If it weren’t for you, Gabriel wouldn’t have run away in the first place! He probably got hurt, knowing you were going to abandon us!"

Rome shot her a cold glare. "Why is it only my fault?" he said, voice dangerously low. "When you’re the one using your own son to get everything you want from me?"

"Shouldn’t you be thinking about that first before pointing fingers at me?"

He shook his head in disgust.

"Instead of wasting your time whining, maybe do something useful for once."

"What did you just say? And now you’re blaming me?!"

"Who’s the one who can’t even admit the real reason why you’re divorcing me? Isn’t it you, Rome?! I know you! You’re probably planning to abandon us because you want to get back with your ex!"

Rome let out a deep sigh, pressing his fingers against his temple in frustration before clenching his jaw tightly.

Meanwhile, the others in the room—Alpheus, Dave, Calyx, and Alfonso—who had all just been worrying about Gabriel’s sudden disappearance, could only exchange uneasy glances between Rome and Ingrid. No one dared to speak up as the tension thickened in the air.

"Shut up, Ingrid," Rome said coldly. "Don’t try to make me out to be the bad guy when you know damn well what you’ve done wrong. Instead of pointing fingers, how about you get out of my office? Everyone here is getting sick of your endless whining."

Rome stood up straighter.

"We’re all busy trying to find your son—the son you always neglected. So for once, set aside your pride and stop making this harder than it already is."

Ingrid fell silent at that, her eyes slowly shifting to the men in the room. Only then did she seem to realize just how embarrassing she was being.

"I’m disappointed in you, Ingrid." Alpheus said, shaking his head.