His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33
We walked further, the sound of the children’s laughter fading behind us. After a few moments, we entered a quieter, more clinical part of the building. The vibrant energy of the kindergarten gave way to the sterile formality of a research
environment.
We stopped in front of a large set of glass doors. Through them, I saw a conference room. Inside, older scientists sat around a long table, heads bent over papers and screens. But what caught my eye wasn’t them—it was the young man sitting at the head of the table, his presence
commanding the room despite his youth.
He wore a sharp suit, his dark hair neatly combed, but his face was serious and cold, almost detached. His eyes were fixed on
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the documents in front of him, barely
acknowledging the conversation
happening around him. There was
something about him-something distant,
authoritative, and… unreachable.
“That’s Dr. Carlos,” Vesta whispered beside
me, her voice barely audible. “He’s the
head of this organization. Brilliant
researcher, M.D., but… not exactly the
warmest person you’ll meet.”
I watched him for a moment, fascinated by
how the older scientists seemed to defer to
him, despite the age gap. There was an air
of quiet authority around him, one that
didn’t need to be spoken to be understood.
“He’s… young,” I said, my voice low, not
wanting to interrupt the scene unfolding behind the glass.
Vesta nodded. “He is. But he’s responsible
for everything you’ve seen today-the
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kindergarten, the volunteer program, the
research that’s saved so many lives. He’s
dedicated his life to this work.”
I continued watching Carlos, noticing how
he barely looked up from his documents,
how his posture remained rigid and
focused. It was as though the weight of the
world rested on his shoulders, and he bore
it with an almost inhuman detachment.
There was something intriguing about
him, something I couldn’t quite place. His
-coldness, his distance-it made me curious.
What kind of man carried such a heavy
burden with such detachment?
I followed her as we left the research
wing, but my thoughts lingered on Carlos?
There was something about him that
unsettled me, something I couldn’t quite
understand. But I shook it off and focused
on the present. Vesta led me through more hallways, explaining the various
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departments and programs within the organization.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but think about everything I had seen today-the children in the kindergarten, the life this organization had breathed into families
who had no hope. It was remarkable, and I
could see why Vesta had dedicated herself to this place. It felt like something
important, something bigger than any of
us.
And yet, there was a heaviness to it all.
The work being done here wasn’t without
its challenges, its costs. The weight of
responsibility hung in the air, especially
around Carlos. I wondered what it would
be like to be a part of this, to contribute to
something so life-changing.
As I turned back toward the hallway, the distant sound of footsteps echoed again, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that
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stepping into this world might change more than just the lives of others-it might change mine, too. A sense of anticipation
stirred in my chest, mingling with
uncertainty.
Maybe this place, with all its complexities
and challenges, held the answers I didn’t
even know I was searching for. Perhaps,
here, I could finally rebuild what I had lost and find the healing, peace, and strength I
desperately needed to move forward,
piece by piece.
As I stood in the courtyard, Carlos’s face
haunted my thoughts. His cold, indifferent expression was etched deeply in my
mind-a stark contrast to the warmth I
had found with Vesta and the vibrancy of the kindergarten.
His face was pale, almost ascetic, as
though life had drained the color from
him, leaving behind sharp, rigid lines. His
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eyes, always cast downward, barely
flickered toward anyone around him. It
was as if he had built a wall so high that
not even the most pressing matters could
breach it. Carlos seemed distant,
untouchable, as if he existed in a world
separate from everyone else.
I wandered past the fountain, letting the sound of the water soothe my thoughts. I ¦ hadn’t even noticed Carlos standing by
one of the trees until I almost walked
straight into him.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I stammered, startled by the unexpected encounter.
Carlos looked at me, his face unreadable.
His eyes were as cold as always, but for a moment, they met mine-long enough to send a shiver down my spine.
He didn’t say anything, didn’t
acknowledge my apology, just stood there,
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distant. His posture was stiff, his hands loosely folded in front of him, as though
every movement was calculated to avoid
engaging with the world.
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