Noah opened his eyes wide. Now he understood everything. Sebastian had not become a successful man through ambition alone: his success was also revenge. Somehow, he had managed to get close to him, make him work at his company, place him under his control… and that, over time, had become twisted and dangerous.

“I can’t believe it…” he murmured, turning his gaze toward Claire. “I was cruel. Just like my father. I thought that… if I pushed him away like that, his family wouldn’t suffer. But there are fragments I’m starting to remember… I hurt him again and again, convinced it was the only way to protect him. And now I’m paying the consequences.”

Claire listened with a quiet sadness. She took her son’s hands and gently stroked them.

“Noah, nothing you did justifies the harm,” she said softly. “But I understand the fear you were living in. Your father was a difficult man. You were always afraid of him… even I, who should have guided you and given you the courage to face him sooner, failed. You did what you could at thirteen, under pressure, under threat. At that age we know what is right and wrong, yes,... but fear makes us impulsive and cruel.”

Noah nodded slowly. The regret he felt now was different: clearer, more honest.

“Thank you. For helping me remember.”

Then he squeezed her hands tightly, with a new determination, though it trembled.

“I don’t know if this is cowardice… but I’m not in a position to get close to him. He could do something irreparable to me. I don’t trust Sebastian. I’d like to talk to the boy I knew in high school… not the obsessive man he’s become.”

Claire’s face hardened at the sound of his name.

“Sebastian is not a stable person,” she stated. “He’s obsessed with you, and someone like that can be extremely dangerous.”

Noah swallowed. He remembered the grip around his neck, his words, his non-consensual kiss.

“He could come here,” he warned. “I’m afraid he might hurt you. I think we should leave… go to Dad’s apartment. You haven’t sold it, right?”

Tension crossed Claire’s face.

“I won’t let him touch you,” she replied firmly. “Neither you nor me. He will never be welcome here again.”

Noah hugged her carefully.

“Then let’s do this properly,” he suggested. “We’ll go to the police. We’ll ask for a restraining order. And in the meantime, we’ll hide. Sebastian doesn’t know anything about dad’s apartment. Everything was legally old,... old contracts… he won’t be able to track us.”

Claire breathed more calmly. It was an imperfect solution, but a necessary one.

“It’s the most sensible option. Your father would have wanted you to be safe. I’ll call the police and my lawyer. It’s the only thing we can do for now.”

Noah smiled gratefully.

“Thank you, mom.”

“Always, sweetheart,” she replied, squeezing his hands. “I’ll always be here for you.”

She stood up from the couch with resolve.

“We pack now. We leave tonight.”

Noah helped his mother pack their things into several suitcases, then went into his old bedroom, untouched since he had left. He took clothes, some money saved in an old safe. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough to start over.

Under the bed he found a small box: an old cellphone that still worked… and a high school yearbook.

He looked once more at Sebastian’s face on those pages.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For my cowardice. For not fighting. But it’s not worth destroying everything you’ve achieved.”

He left the yearbook where it was.

In the living room, Claire finished a call and looked at him with relief when she saw him ready.

“The officer is already aware,” she said. “While they investigate, it’s best that we leave.”

Noah nodded. He followed her to the garage. Claire wasn’t in any condition to drive, so he took the wheel.

“The trip will be long,” he commented.

“I know.”

Before starting the car, Noah cast one last look at the house. Then he accelerated.

“Rest, mom,” he said tenderly. “I’ve got this.”

Claire shook her head with a half-smile.

“Don’t even think about it. Besides… I can still throw a good slap and a knee,” she added wryly. “You’re safe with me.”

Noah laughed softly. And with determination and care, he drove into the darkness of the road, attentive to every curve, covering his mother when it was needed.

“We’ll be fine,” he murmured. “No matter what.”