The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains. Ethan opened his eyes, stepping out onto the balcony to begin his daily routine of explosive exercises, his mind racing with the upcoming day's schedule.
So... today I'm finally meeting Uncle Beast, Ethan thought to himself as he finished his washroom routine and walked into the living room.
He spotted his mother, Selena, sitting quietly on the sofa. Ethan walked up behind her and gently massaged her shoulders.
Selena smiled warmly, glancing back. "Good morning, Ethan. Are you awake already?"
"Good morning, Mom," Ethan replied softly.
"So, what's the plan? Breakfast or a morning run?" Selena asked, rising from the sofa.
"Breakfast first."
"One breakfast coming right up! Take a seat," Selena nodded, stepping into the kitchen.
Ethan pulled out a chair at the dining table.
Right... today I'm also meeting Jake for that festival.
Soon, Selena placed a fresh, hot plate of breakfast on the table, along with a cup of tea for herself, sitting down across from him. Ethan dug in, and as soon as he finished, he picked up his empty plate to take it to the sink.
"Ethan, just leave it there," Selena said, reaching out. "I'll handle the dishes. You can go for your morning run."
Ethan shook his head with a gentle smile. "No, Mom. I've got it." He carried the dishes to the kitchen, washed his hands, and walked back to sit across from her.
"Mom... do I have any good clothes?" Ethan asked.
Selena raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Why? Are you going somewhere special?"
"Yeah, a ceremony. A friend invited me," Ethan explained.
Selena nodded thoughtfully. "Well, let me take a look through the closets. You go get your morning run in the meantime."
Ethan stood up, offering a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mom."
Ethan sprinted down his usual route, pushing a steady pace for thirty minutes. The early morning air was crisp, and along the way, he passed a few elderly men jogging together, offering them a polite smile as he glided past.
Suddenly, he heard rapid, light footsteps approaching from behind. He turned his head—and his eyes widened slightly. An automatic, effortless smile spread across his face before he could even stop it.
Madison slowed to a stop beside him, panting lightly. "Ethan?"
"Good morning, Madison," Ethan greeted, giving a polite nod.
"Do you run along this path often?" Madison asked, wiping a faint bead of sweat from her forehead.
Ethan nodded, his heart suddenly hammering against his ribs at double speed.
"Looks like we're going to be seeing a lot of each other in the mornings then!" Madison said with a bright, radiant smile.
Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, as you know, I'm training in Taekwondo," Madison explained, placing her hands on her hips. "Keeping my legs in prime shape is crucial. I asked Uncle Benson, and he recommended me to start doing morning runs!"
Ethan smiled, a sudden surge of genuine warmth filling his chest—immediately followed by a strange, sharp ache deep inside. It was a familiar, bitter feeling, as if a part of him was terrified of letting himself be happy.
What is wrong with me...? Ethan thought, his mind spiraling. I want to be happy... but every time I feel it, this sour guilt stops me. I shouldn't be feeling like this.
"Helloooo? Earth to Ethan!" Madison called out, stepping right into his space and waving a hand in front of his face.
Ethan snapped back to reality, his eyes locking onto her gorgeous face just inches away. His heart did another violent flip.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and gestured down the path. "Well... shall we get running?"
Madison nodded eagerly. As she turned to start jogging, Ethan's eyes briefly caught her form-fitting athletic gear, sending another jolt through his chest.
Get it together! Ethan shouted at himself, desperately trying to force his mind back into focus. I am the Terminator. I am a cold-blooded mercenary. Mercenaries do not get distracted!
The two of them set off together, running side by side.
Even as the joy of her company warmed him, that silent, lingering bitterness never truly left his side. It was the same invisible shadow that always forced him to push happiness away—the heavy weight of who he used to be.
Meanwhile, back at the apartment...
Selena searched through every closet, trying to find something suitable for Ethan's event.
After digging through the back of an old wardrobe, she pulled out a sharp black leather jacket—the exact one Ethan's father used to wear. Setting it aside, she walked over to an old vintage closet in her own bedroom and pulled out a classic, tailored dark suit.
This suit might fit Ethan, Selena thought, laying the fabric out carefully.
When he gets back, I'll have him try it on. If it doesn't fit, we'll go out and buy a brand new one.
She placed the suit over the back of a chair, draping the leather jacket carefully over it. Standing back, Selena stared at the jacket, her vision blurring as her mind drifted back to a memory locked away in time...
Damian held out the black leather jacket, placing it gently into Selena's hands.
"Why are you giving me this?" Selena asked softly, looking up into his eyes.
"The war... it's never going to end, Selena," Damian murmured, his voice heavy but a strange sad smile on his face.
"So... are you stepping away from it all?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Damian shook his head. "No. My friends are in trouble out there. How could I ever step back?"
"Then why leave this jacket with me?"
"You'll understand soon enough," Damian replied gently.
Selena gave a silent, mournful nod. "You should leave quietly... before sunrise. If Ethan sees you packing, he'll whine and beg you to take him along. And knowing how much you spoil him, you'd actually say yes."
Damian smiled, a tender, heartbreaking expression touching his face. He reached out, patting Selena's head softly before pulling her into a tight, crushing embrace.
He held her for what felt like an eternity.
Finally letting her go, he stood there staring at her face, imprinting the image in his mind.
Selena felt like he was going somewhere far.
Damian smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead. Then, he picked up his two duffel bags, turned around, and walked toward the doorway without looking back...
Back in the present day...
Selena stood alone in the quiet room, her eyes fixed on the empty jacket. Tears welled up in her eyes as a soft whisper escaped her lips.
"You knew, didn't you, Damian...? You knew that would be our very last meeting."