Adrian woke up slowly.
For a few seconds, he didn't move.
His eyes stayed closed while he listened to the quiet around him.
No shouting.
No banging doors.
No heavy footsteps coming down the hallway.
Just silence.
Soft silence.
His eyes slowly opened.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, painting warm lines across the room.
Adrian blinked.
The ceiling above him was smooth and white.
Not cracked.
Not stained.
His body tensed suddenly.
He sat up quickly.
For a moment, panic flickered across his face.
Where am I?
Then the memories of last night slowly returned.
The mansion.
Marco.
Alessio.
The woman who cried when she hugged him.
Adrian exhaled quietly.
Right.
He was here now.
He looked around the room again.
The bed sheets were still wrapped loosely around him.
The blankets were warm.
He carefully touched them again.
Still soft.
Still real.
Adrian slowly climbed out of the bed.
His bare feet touched the cold floor.
He walked toward the window.
Outside, the estate looked even bigger in the daylight.
Green lawns stretched across the property.
Tall trees lined the long driveway.
Several guards stood at the gates.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"…This is really a house."
He whispered it like he still didn't believe it.
A knock came from the door.
Adrian froze instantly.
Old habits.
He stayed silent.
The door opened slowly.
Alessio peeked inside.
"Oh."
He smiled slightly.
"You're awake."
Adrian relaxed a little.
"…Yeah."
Alessio stepped inside carrying a tray.
Adrian noticed the smell immediately.
Food.
Real food.
His stomach tightened instantly.
Alessio set the tray down on the desk.
"Mom— uh, Isabella— wanted to make sure you ate."
Adrian stared at the tray.
Eggs.
Toast.
Fruit.
Juice.
It looked like more food than he usually saw in an entire day.
"…All of that is for me?"
Alessio looked confused.
"Yeah."
Adrian walked closer slowly.
He sat down carefully in the chair.
For a moment, he just stared at the plate.
Then he glanced at Alessio.
"…Are you sure?"
Alessio's chest tightened again.
"Yes."
Adrian nodded slowly.
Then he picked up the fork.
At first, he ate carefully.
Small bites.
Slow.
But after a few minutes, his movements became faster.
Hungrier.
Like someone afraid the food might disappear.
Alessio watched quietly.
He didn't say anything.
But his expression darkened slightly.
Because Adrian kept glancing toward the door.
Like he expected someone to burst in and take the food away.
When the plate was empty, Adrian immediately stopped.
He looked embarrassed.
"…Sorry."
Alessio frowned.
"For what?"
"For eating so fast."
Alessio shook his head.
"You don't have to apologize for that."
Adrian looked down at his hands.
"…I'm used to it."
Alessio didn't ask what he meant.
He already understood.
Instead, he leaned against the desk.
"So."
Adrian looked up.
"How did you sleep?"
Adrian thought about it.
"…Better than usual."
"Nightmares?"
Adrian hesitated.
"…A little."
Alessio nodded.
"That's normal."
Adrian looked surprised.
"It is?"
"Yeah."
Adrian relaxed slightly.
Then he looked around again.
"…What happens today?"
Alessio shrugged.
"Probably a lot of talking."
Adrian's shoulders stiffened.
"Talking?"
"Don't worry," Alessio said quickly. "Nothing bad."
Adrian still looked unsure.
Before Alessio could explain further—
Another knock came at the door.
This time Adrian didn't freeze.
He just looked toward it.
Marco stepped inside.
"Morning."
Adrian nodded politely.
"…Good morning."
Marco noticed the empty tray.
"Good."
Adrian wasn't sure why that made him feel proud.
Marco crossed his arms casually.
"Father wants to see you."
Adrian's stomach tightened again.
"…Lorenzo?"
Marco nodded.
"Don't worry."
Adrian stood slowly.
"Am I in trouble?"
Marco blinked.
"No."
Adrian nodded quickly.
"…Okay."
The three of them walked downstairs together.
The mansion looked different during the day.
More alive.
Staff members moved through the halls.
Some of them glanced at Adrian curiously.
Others smiled warmly.
Adrian stayed close to Alessio.
Not intentionally.
It just happened.
They stopped in front of a large wooden door.
Marco knocked once.
A voice from inside spoke calmly.
"Come in."
Marco opened the door.
The office inside was huge.
Bookshelves lined the walls.
Large windows overlooked the estate.
Behind a dark wooden desk sat Lorenzo De Luca.
Adrian immediately felt nervous again.
The man's presence filled the room.
Lorenzo looked up.
His sharp eyes landed on Adrian.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he gestured toward the chair in front of the desk.
"Sit."
Adrian obeyed quickly.
Alessio and Marco stood nearby.
Lorenzo studied the boy carefully.
In daylight, the damage was even clearer.
Thin frame.
Faint bruises.
Small nervous movements.
Lorenzo's jaw tightened slightly.
But his voice remained calm.
"Did you sleep well?"
Adrian nodded.
"…Yes."
"Good."
Lorenzo folded his hands together.
"There are a few things we need to discuss."
Adrian's shoulders stiffened.
But Lorenzo continued calmly.
"Nothing bad."
Adrian relaxed slightly.
"First," Lorenzo said, "you will begin seeing a therapist."
Adrian blinked.
"A what?"
"Someone who helps people work through difficult experiences."
Adrian thought about that.
"…Like talking?"
"Yes."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
Lorenzo continued.
"Second."
He paused slightly.
"You will start school soon."
Adrian's eyes widened.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
Adrian glanced at Alessio.
Alessio smiled.
Lorenzo noticed.
"You'll attend the same school as your brothers."
Adrian felt a strange mixture of excitement and fear.
"…I don't know anything."
Lorenzo's voice remained steady.
"You'll learn."
Adrian nodded.
"…Okay."
Lorenzo leaned back slightly in his chair.
"There is one more thing."
Adrian looked nervous again.
Lorenzo's gaze softened just slightly.
"You are safe here."
Adrian blinked.
"…I know."
Lorenzo studied him carefully.
"No one will hurt you again."
Adrian looked down at his hands.
He wanted to believe that.
But it would take time.
Lorenzo finally stood.
The meeting was over.
Marco opened the door.
Adrian stood slowly.
As he turned to leave, Lorenzo spoke again.
"…Adrian."
The boy looked back.
"Yes?"
For a moment, Lorenzo seemed to hesitate.
Then he said something simple.
"Welcome home."
Adrian didn't know why…
But those two words made his chest feel warm.
And for the first time since arriving at the mansion…
The word home didn't feel so strange anymore.