The CEO's runaway wife

Exchange

After Alice's request was met with a blunt rejection, she released her grip on the hand of the handsome man named Steven. Obediently, she moved to help him smooth out the creases in his pants. Her bright eyes glistened, her disappointment momentarily masked by an amicable facade.

In the same vicinity, little Lolita, who had been utterly lost moments ago, continued to stand there with a lost expression. As she gazed up at Steven with those big, innocent eyes, something remarkable happened. A flicker of warmth, like a distant ember coming to life, danced in Steven's usually icy gaze. It was as though this encounter had instilled in him an unexpected sense of purpose, guiding the little girl, as if by fate, on her journey to reunite with her parents.

But life has a peculiar way of twisting events, as it often does. A man in a black suit, seemingly out of nowhere, strode purposefully towards the scene, casting a shadow on this brief interlude of empathy.

Meanwhile, in the airplane's lavatory, Jack found himself locked in a contemplative moment as he peered at his reflection in the small, dimly lit mirror. Regret filled his mind. How foolish it was to let Alice indulge in those excessive scoops of ice cream during the flight, which now had her writhing in discomfort due to an aching stomach.

"Mmm, this little sister can be quite rambunctious at times. Not the easiest travel companion," Jack muttered to himself, reflecting on Alice's sometimes overpowering enthusiasm for life.

As he swung the restroom door open, he was met by an unexpected sight. A middle-aged man, dressed in a manner more modest than the average traveler, stood before him. This stranger wore a kind and inviting smile, a seemingly warm gesture towards Jack. In his hand, he held a beautifully wrapped piece of candy, a seemingly innocent offering.

Yet, Jack's young mind raced. He recalled the warnings issued by his mother, etched into his memory like sacred verses: "Beware of strangers bearing gifts, especially candy. They're the ones who try to abduct children."

"No... I want to find my mom!" Fear gripped Jack. He had heard the stories and knew that such situations could lead to disaster. So, he did the only thing he thought was right. He turned and ran, his tiny legs carrying him as far away as possible from the well-meaning yet unknown man.

From a distance, Adam, the family butler who had been shadowing Jack, watched the scene unfold. Confusion reigned as he assessed the situation. In a swift response to Jack's terrified sprint, he hastily reached for his phone, his fingers dialing the number for the in-flight security personnel.

Inside the restroom, a peculiar thought crossed Adam's mind as he examined a package of wet wipes he held. There was something odd about this situation, and this package, in particular.

With little time for contemplation, the butler acted swiftly and followed Jack. However, fate had another twist in store. Just as Adam exited the restroom, Mark, who had been using another restroom, emerged. Their faces bore an uncanny resemblance; they could almost pass for twins. Yet, Mark's expression was markedly different from Jack's. His demeanor was serious and contemplative, an air of quiet sophistication about him.

Alone in the airplane's corridor, Mark scanned his surroundings, puzzled by the absence of the butler and security personnel. Deciding to act independently, he turned to retrace his steps, heading back to where he had last seen Adam.

Before he could take more than a couple of steps, a pair of gentle yet firm hands scooped him up into the air. It was a familiar and comforting sensation. Mark's eyes widened as he looked into the face of the young woman who now held him, seemingly out of thin air.

"Jack, next time, be sure to let Mom know before you go to the restroom, okay? You nearly gave Mom a heart attack; I was worried you were kidn*pped," Anna admonished her son with a blend of relief and chastisement. She held Mark effortlessly, her demeanor conveying both concern and the assurance of a protector who knew her child's needs.

To Mark, this was an entirely novel experience. He had never been held this way, or perhaps it was more accurate to say he had never been held at all. He had seen an old photograph of this woman once in a dusty comic book hidden away in his father's office, but he was absolutely certain that the woman in that picture was his mother.

Of course, Anna was entirely unaware that this photograph was the only remaining link she had with Mark. It had been left behind in Steven's home, a relic of a life she had left behind, nearly forgotten.

Mark remained silent, processing the flood of emotions coursing through him. He had never been one to cry, and he detested being associated with the label of "the crying boy." But the sight of his mother left him in a state of wonder and disbelief.

"Mom?" He uttered the word with a mixture of awe and uncertainty, finally connecting this woman before him to the image he had seen in the comic book.

"Yes?" Anna replied, her voice gentle and soothing as she continued to hold her son and stroke his head.

This touch, this embrace, it was something entirely new for Mark. Although Aunt Kelly had also touched him, her caresses paled in comparison to the sensation of his real mother's touch. Yet, a question gnawed at him. Why was he being called "Jack"?

The complexity of his current home situation began to dawn on Mark as he pondered this new reality.

"Mom, where are we going?" Mark asked his mother. His tone and expression remained guarded and apprehensive.

Anna's concern deepened as she wondered if her son had somehow lost his memory during the flight. "We're going to a hotel for now. It will take us some time to find a new place to live."

Mark couldn't help but notice the peculiar expression on his mother's face. "Mom, why do you look like an ice cube right now?" He wondered aloud. A sense of aesthetic consciousness seemed to be something he shared with his mother, and he couldn't help but question it.

"Most importantly, don't talk to strangers, especially strange men. You should keep your distance," Anna instructed her son, her maternal instincts kicking into high gear despite the unfamiliarity of the situation.

Mark was fighting back tears, but he knew that resistance was futile. Instead, he ran to the side and grabbed a shuriken. In that moment, Alice's presence seemed utterly terrifying to Mark.

Amidst this, Jack sat at the dining table, his expression sullen and his heart still heavy from the earlier escapade. He hadn't planned to create such a commotion, and he had no intention of leaving his mother worrying about his whereabouts.

"Uncle...Why does someone as wealthy as you serve such bland food?" Jack looked up at Steven, his eyebrows furrowed, their downward slant akin to two tiny worms of dissatisfaction.

The sudden shift in Jack's demeanor, from reluctance to actually initiating conversation, surprised everyone. In particular, Anna was taken aback by her son's voluntary engagement.

But even more surprising than his outburst was the choice of words. "Uncle"? It was an odd nickname for a child to use when addressing his father.

"Lord, the young master has initiated conversation," the butler remarked, awe coloring his tone.

Steven, too, was puzzled. "The real question is why our little young master here just called me 'uncle'?"

He raised an eyebrow and signaled the butler. "Change the menu, please."

"Of course, Young Master. What would you like to eat?" Butler Adam couldn't hide his enthusiasm. To see the young master talking and displaying a bit of independence was a rare sight, indeed.

Jack, thoroughly excited about this newfound freedom of choice, listed his culinary desires with an enthusiasm that matched his prior sulking. His menu was extravagant and indulgent, a stark contrast to the nutritional guidelines imposed by his mother.

This contrast left everyone at the table in a state of astonishment, each person processing the situation in their own way. Anna, in particular, was concerned about her son's sudden shift in behavior. She couldn't help but wonder if this unexpected journey was beginning to change him in ways she couldn't predict.