FAR GONE

Chapter 30

I dragged my body back to the dorm that night, every step heavier than the last. The street was quiet, shadows stretching long under the lamps, and when I turned the corner, I saw her—Mia. She was standing by the entrance, arms wrapped tight around herself like she’d been waiting a long time.

I paused, unsure if I wanted to face her. But before I could think twice, she rushed toward me.

“Kael!” Her voice cracked between relief and worry. “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you, but you wouldn’t pick up—”

“I’m hungry,” I cut her off, my tone low.

She blinked, almost confused. “Hungry?”

I gave a small nod.

Her expression softened. “Alright… then I’ll cook for you. Just… come inside.”

I watched her walk ahead, her steps quick and eager, and something twisted in my chest. I whispered under my breath, I’m sorry, Mia… but I’ll have to use you. She was the only leverage I had left against the President. I didn’t know where Liam was hidden, but if I could keep Mia close, I could force answers out of the man sitting at the top. And with Eagle’s help, once I found Malik Radwan, I’d get the d**g I needed. Then, I’d find Liam. That was the plan. It had to be.

I followed her inside. The smell of food hit me almost immediately—warm, rich, familiar. She had made rice with seasoned chicken, a thick stew that carried a spice sharp enough to sting my nose. My stomach tightened at the sight of it. I sat down without a word, picked up the spoon, and began to eat.

As I chewed, Mia sat opposite me, watching carefully. “Darren came by the hospital after you left,” she said softly. “Did you two meet?”

I shook my head. “No.”

Her lips curved with concern. “You should visit him, Kael. He looked so worried about you. Scared, even. He really cares for you, you know. You’re lucky to have someone like him.”

I only nodded and kept eating, letting her words wash past me like the rain earlier.

“I’ll visit him in the morning,” I muttered finally.

Her hand reached across the table, gently brushing the top of my head, a touch I didn’t deserve. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I lied, keeping my voice steady.

She frowned, worry etched deep. “You should go back to the hospital. You’re not healed yet. You need to be treated properly.”

I gave her another nod, but I didn’t mean it.

The television in the corner caught our attention. The reporter’s voice was urgent, clipped.

“Breaking news—authorities have discovered the body of a man found dead in his home. The victim’s identity has been confirmed…”

The image filled the screen. Mia pointed quickly. “Isn’t that the man from earlier? The one Elias assaulted?”

I froze, staring at the screen. She was right.

“Yes,” I said slowly, my stomach knotting. My mind reeled back. I remembered trailing that man home… and the figure I’d seen, a man in a cap, following behind us. My jaw clenched. Could it have been him? Did that shadow finish the job?

Before I could piece it together, my phone buzzed violently against the table. I looked down. Eagle.

“Mia,” I said, pushing back from the table. “Excuse me.”

I slipped into my room and shut the door, my pulse quickening as I picked up.

Eagle’s voice came sharp and clear, with no hesitation. “Kael, listen to me. Malik Radwan—he’s in Ravenport. And I found one of his basements.”

My grip tightened on the phone. Finally—something solid. A lead. A c***k in the wall they’d built around my son.

I returned to Mia that night, her eyes lighting up the moment I stepped in. But there was no joy in my heart to return. My chest was heavy, my mind conflicted.

“I’m considering resigning from here,” I said, my voice low but steady.

Her head snapped up, shock clear on her face. “What? Kael, what do you mean by that? Why would you… why would you suddenly want to leave the job?”

I swallowed, keeping my expression unreadable. “I’m in some kind of situation… something I can’t really explain right now. But one thing I swear to you, Mia, I’ll always have your back. Always.”

From my pocket, I pulled out a small, black crest-shaped pendant engraved with a falcon. It was no ordinary trinket—it was an emergency signal linked to me. I placed it gently in her palm, closing her fingers over it.

“Whenever you’re in danger,” I told her, my gaze locking with hers, “press this. No matter where I am, I’ll be there. You’re not alone, Mia.”

Her lips parted, trembling with questions she didn’t know how to voice. “Kael… what could be the reason? Why now? Why leave me like this?”

I forced a faint smile, masking the storm in me. “Stay safe, Mia.”

And before she could hold me back, I turned away, picked up my only bag, and walked out. My path was clear: Malik Radwan. If I found him, I’d find the cure. For Liam. For my son. For the child who still needed me. And Mia… I refused to put her in danger any longer. This was the only way.

The night air was sharp against my skin as I walked, step after step carrying me away from her warmth. I didn’t dare look back.

I arrived at Darren’s home and knocked. The door creaked open, and a small, familiar face peeked out—his little girl. Her eyes lit up instantly.

“Uncle Kael!” she squealed, rushing into my arms.

I lifted her easily, holding her close. “My little star,” I said, calling her by the nickname I’d always used. “How have you been doing?”

She giggled, pressing her tiny palms against my cheeks. “I’m good! Thanks to you, Uncle Kael, I’m doing well.”

Her innocence softened something in me. I smiled and kissed her forehead before setting her back down gently.

“Where’s your father?” I asked.

“In the study,” she chirped.

“And your mother?”

“She hasn’t come back yet. She’s still at Grandpa’s house,” she explained.

Before I could respond, the maid appeared, bowing slightly. “Master Kael, welcome. Young Miss, it’s time for your meal.”

The little girl nodded, waving as she hurried off with the maid. I watched her go, then turned toward the study. My gut twisted with unease.

I pushed the door open. Darren was inside, phone pressed to his ear, his face tight with anger. His tone was sharp, strained, like he was in the middle of a heated argument.

“I told you—this isn’t the way to handle it—” he snapped, then his gaze lifted, catching sight of me.

The moment our eyes met, he quickly ended the call, slamming the phone onto the table. My sharp eyes caught the screen for a split second before he flipped it upside down. One word burned into my memory. Riot.

“Kael,” Darren said quickly, his voice too bright, too sudden. “Oh—you’re here.”

I inclined my head. “Darren.”

Even without him saying a word, I could see it. His shoulders stiff, his voice strained, his eyes avoiding mine. He was uneasy. Hiding something.

“Were you busy?” I asked, my tone steady but probing.

He shook his head too quickly. “No, no. I was just about to leave the study.”

He brushed past me, forcing a smile, and I followed him out. We sat down together in the living room. Darren leaned back, exhaling heavily.

“I heard about what happened after the party,” he said, his gaze searching me. “I went to check on you, but I couldn’t find you at the hospital. Kael, what happened? What’s going on?

I stayed quiet for a long moment. Then, finally, I spoke. My voice was low, firm, but there was a weight in it.

“Darren,” I said, “you need to start listening carefully.”

His eyes sharpened, sensing the seriousness in my tone.

“I’m going to quit working in Delacroix.”

He stiffened instantly, eyes widening. “What? Kael… what do you mean by that?”

I leaned forward, my gaze never leaving his. “I’m going to leave. I’ve found a way to cure Liam. And I can use that chance to kill the only man who brought chaos into my life… and finally expose every evil hidden in this city. I thought joining the Elite family would bring peace, that it would give me the salvation I’ve been fighting for. But I was wrong.”

I paused, my chest heavy, my words deliberate. “You can take the position and build wealth. I’m grateful to you, Darren… for selling yourself into Delacroix so that I could survive. But from now on, I believe you won’t face any problem anymore. And I’ll keep checking on you, even if from a distance. Take care of yourself.”

I pushed my chair back, ready to rise, but Darren’s voice cut through the air.

“Kael… are you not being disrespectful right now?” His tone was sharp, his eyes hard.

I froze, turning back to him. “Disrespectful? Darren… what do you mean by that?”

His jaw clenched. “It’s a brother’s right to protect the younger ones. But you… you’re acting as if you’re the one who can protect me. It should be the other way around! I regret ever asking you to run away from this country, Kael. Do you think I wanted that? I said it because I had no other choice then.”

His voice rose, his words tumbling out with a rawness I had never seen before. “But now… now it’s different. I have power. I have ability. I can do everything I want to do—and I can protect you from any threat. From here, I will protect you. Don’t ever think you’ll be the one protecting me. I will protect you, Kael… just as Father did for us in the past. That’s what I’ve been trying to give you all this time.”

My throat tightened as I stared at him. His words cut deep, but so did the truth I carried in my chest.

“I don’t want you to do anything for me, Darren,” I said firmly. “The fact that you are safe now is enough for me. I don’t want your family in danger because of me. You have a daughter. You have a wife. Their safety matters more than anything.”

My voice softened, but it carried the weight of every scar I bore. “I never saw you as just the son Father saved. You are my blood brother, Darren. And I will protect you the same way. That’s what I’ve chosen. That’s what I’ve sworn.”

I looked at him deeply, emotions I rarely allowed to surface breaking through. “So I beg you—listen to me. Don’t interfere. Let me do this. Watch me protect you and your family. That’s all I ask.”

I rose to my feet, my bag already slung across my shoulder. I turned toward the door.

But Darren’s voice—low, trembling—stopped me cold.

“Kael… those people you’re chasing… they’re monsters.”

I paused, my heartbeat loud in my ears.

“And there’s something I never knew how to say until now.” His voice cracked. “Kael… our father… he was killed by Milton.”

I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat, my entire body trembling as if the ground beneath me had given way.

My eyes locked on Darren, wide with shock. “What… what did you just say?”