Episode 5
The cemetery is quiet, the sky painted in hues of dusk.
Daniel carter (ML's father)
kneels before his wife’s grave, fingers brushing the engraved letters of her name—**Elena Carter**.
A single white rose rests against the stone, its petals trembling in the breeze. He doesn’t speak. He never does. Words were always her domain, not his.
Daniel carter (ML's father)
his phone buzzes, shattering the silence.)*
**Assistant:** *Sir, Ash has been frequenting a small bookstore called **Wild Pages** every Wednesday and Saturday for the past month. He stays for hours.*
Daniel carter (ML's father)
grip tightens on the phone. His son, who barely leaves his apartment, who speaks to no one but Ethan—**going somewhere regularly?**
Daniel carter (ML's father)
This is new. This is… concerning? Hopeful? He doesn’t know. But he needs to.)*
Daniel carter (ML's father)
*Find out why. Discreetly.*
Daniel carter (ML's father)
*(A pause. Then, softer—)*
*And if he’s meeting someone… make sure they’re not leading him into trouble.*
Assistant: yes sir
*(The assistant understands. This isn’t surveillance. It’s a father’s fear—the only way he knows how to care.)
Daniel carter (ML's father)
stares at Elena’s name, guilt knotting in his chest.
Daniel carter (ML's father)
He hears her voice, clear as yesterday:
Ellena carter (ML's mother)
**“Let him breathe, Daniel. You can’t control grief.”**
Daniel carter (ML's father)
*(whispering, raw)*
*“I’m trying, Elena. But what if he’s—
Daniel carter (ML's father)
*(He cuts himself off. Ash could be doing drugs. Could be getting scammed. Could be—
Daniel carter (ML's father)
Or he could just be… happy?
*The thought terrifies him more than anger ever could.
He stands abruptly, straightening his suit. He won’t interfere. Not yet. But he’ll watch. **Because loving someone means fearing for them every damn day.
The assistant observes from a café across the street. Ash sits in the bookstore’s window nook, a book open in his lap. A girl—**Lia**—brings him tea without asking. He doesn’t thank her. But he doesn’t flinch either. The assistant texts Daniel
**Assistant:** *No trouble. Just reading. Girl seems kind.*
*(Daniel reads the message in his office. For a moment, his shoulders relax. **Just reading.** His son is safe. Maybe even… healing? He allows himself one small, private exhale. Then he texts back:)*
Daniel carter (ML's father)
*Keep watching.*
*(Not an order. A plea.)*
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