## **Chapter 5 – The Line That Shouldn't Be Crossed**
During lunch, Adi leaned forward, lowering his voice like he was sharing wisdom instead of poison.
"You know," he said, "the problem with young men these days? They don't want to work. Just sit around waiting for life to give them something."
He glanced at Kael.
"I mean no offense, brother. But your mama worked harder than you ever did — cleaning houses, washing clothes, raising five kids — while you just…"
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"…exist."
There it was.
A joke. A throwaway line. To him, maybe even a bit of teasing.
But to Kael?
It was a match dropped on dry grass.
His fingers tightened around the spoon.
His jaw clenched.
His breath slowed — not from calm, but from effort.
He didn't move.
Not yet.
But inside, something cracked.
Nia stiffened.
Tomas cleared his throat.
Even Tomas' own mother looked uncomfortable.
But it was Kael's mother who finally spoke.
Her voice was quiet.
Soft.
But full of fire.
> "You don't know anything about my son."
Adi blinked, caught off guard.
She set down her spoon.
"He gave up everything so I could live. So I could have peace in my old age. You think he sits around doing nothing?"
She looked at Kael.
Her eyes shimmered.
> "You should see what he does when no one is watching."
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Then Kael stood.
"I'll bring dessert."
He walked away without another word.
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