"It's important to remember," she continued. "That kindness does not mean equality,"
Liam stared at his plate. He said nothing. Then Oliver's phone rang, and the color drained from his face.
"Oliver," the neighbor who had called said urgently. "You need to come home right now. Something happened with your father."
Oliver stood up at once. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I have to go."
Liam's mother gave a small nod, while his father frowned in concern.
Oliver didn't wait for questions .He grabbed his bag and left. Even though he hated his father, hated the anger and bruises. His feet were already moving .
And whatever had happened, Oliver knew one thing. He had to go.
The door had barely closed behind Oliver when Liam pushed his chair back.
"I'm going after him," he said. His mother looked up sharply. "Sit down Liam!!"
" He looked scared," Liam replied. " Something happened. I need to check on him."
"That boy is not your responsibility," she said coldly. " You've involved yourself enough."
Liam frowned. "Mom , he's my friend."
His mother let out a short laugh. "Friend? He's Mrs Montero's son. You don't need to mix with insignificant people."
Liam's hand clenched into fists. "That's not true."
"Lower your voice," she warned. "People like him bring trouble. You should focus on your future, not drag yourself down."
Liam looked at his father silently, waiting for support.
His father hesitated. "Your mother is right," he said quietly. "Now isn't the time."
Something inside Liam snapped. He turned and walked towards the stairs.
" Liam," his mother called. " Do not embarrass this family further "
He stopped but didn't turn around. "I already did." He said softly.
Some minutes later, that evening, the house was silent. Liam changed into dark clothes, his heart pounding as he opened his bedroom window. He climbed down carefully, wincing when his foot slipped against the stone wall.
When his feet hit the ground, he didn't stop running. For the first time, he wasn't thinking about rules, status, or his mother's words. He was only thinking about Oliver. And praying he wasn't already too late.
Oliver ran through the streets after getting down from the bus, the bag bouncing against his side. His chest felt tight, and his hands shook as he asked neighbors where to go. "Please, where is he? What happened to him?"
A few murmured directions, some wide-eyed, others silent, pointing toward a small, abandoned warehouse at the edge of the neighborhood.
Oliver's stomach turned over with every step. His mind refusing to believe what he was about to see.
When he reached the place, a crowd had gathered. People whispered, pointing, but noone looked him in the eye. Oliver's heart pounded as he moved closer. And then he saw it.
The sight froze him. He almost didn't recognize the body. His father.... Lifeless, hanging in a way that made Oliver's stomach twist. The bruises and marks on his face told a story of anger and violence, far beyond anything Oliver had imagined. His father had been aggressive, cruel- but Oliver had never thought... like this.
One of the neighbors spoke quietly. "He owed some people money. Refused to pay. They came to teach him a lesson...but.." his voice faltered. "This is too much."
Oliver's knee gave way, and he sank to the ground, hands pressed to his mouth. His father, the man he had hated and feared, was gone. And in that moment, Oliver felt a new kind of emptiness- fear, anger and grief, all mingling into a cold weight that seemed to crush him from the inside.
He had hated his father, yes, but this..this was not justice. This was something else entirely.
Liam ran from place to place in the cold night, his heart pounding. First, the restaurant where Oliver worked. No sign of him. Then his granny's house. He burst through the door hoping. "Oliver, have you seen him?"
Mrs Montero looked up in surprise. "Oh.. Liam. No, he didn't come by. Maybe he went home. Where are the documents?"
"Home, where ?" Liam asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
She frowned, thinking. "Well... Our house is at the far end of Boston Street, past the old ware house. You know, near the abandoned lot.. what's wrong?"
Liam didn't wait for more. He sprinted in that direction, his mind racing.
When he got to the location. He found him easily.
Oliver crouched on the ground, the streetlights shining over his pale face, staring at something at something above him. Liam's chest tightened as he took in the scene. The horror, the disbelief, the grief - he saw it all reflected in Oliver's eyes.
"Oliver!" Liam shouted, breaking through the crowd, his voice full of fear and relief.
Oliver looked up, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Liam ran to Oliver's side, ready to protect him, ready to stay, even if the entire world was against them.
The warehouse was quiet now, only the distant city lights flickering through broken windows. Oliver was still on the ground, trembling, hands covering his face, shoulders shaking.
Liam's voice was soft but urgent. "Oliver, hey, look at me."
Oliver slowly lifted his head obediently. His eyes were red, tears streaked down his cheeks. Liam knelt beside him, unsure of what to do at first. Then, gently, he took Oliver's face in his hands.
"It's okay," Liam whispered. "You don't have to face this alone."
Oliver's shoulder sagged, and a single sob escaped. Liam wiped the tears from his face with his thumb, leaning closer. Without thinking, he pressed a soft, brief kiss to Oliver's temple, as if trying to take some of the pain away.
"Shh.. it's over now," Liam murmured. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Oliver buried his face into Liam's shoulder, letting himself lean on someone for the first time in years. The sounds of the approaching government vehicles carrying his father's body barely registered. Mrs Montero had came much later, and when people told her the news. She had fainted immediately.
For the first time in his life, Oliver felt safe in someone else's arms. Liam held him tightly, his own chest aching, guilt and relief mixing into a strange, overwhelming weight. They had stayed like that for a long while, the night wrapping around them, until the chaos outside became just a distant hum.
Liam didn't go home that night. He stayed by Oliver's side, sitting silently on the edge of the bed as the boy finally fell asleep, exhausted.
He had never admitted it aloud, but the truth sat heavy on his chest. He had wanted to protect Oliver, to be close, to make sure nothing could hurt him.
When morning came, Mrs Adrien found out how Liam had sneaked out, how the night had unfolded, and her face twisted in anger, scolding him for his recklessness and for 'mixing with insignificant people '. Liam only clenched his fists, guilt and defiance twisting together, knowing he had chosen the right thing in his own heart. Even if everyone refused to understand...