When Dani arrived at the city of Saqariya (which is Ryan's city), he headed directly to Yasser's office (Ryan's father). Upon arrival at the company, the secretary asked him to sit and wait because Director Yasser was in a meeting and would see him as soon as it ended.
Dani sat on one of the chairs, waiting for the meeting to finish so he could meet Ryan's father. While waiting, an email that he had asked his assistant to send arrived.
Dani opened the email and began to browse it carefully, his eyes sharp. He was shocked when he saw some names in the email. Among those names were elderly people whose families were killed because of certain individuals. Some were killed by mistake, and the murderer threatened the victim's family not to file complaints or withdraw the case. Others died due to negligence at work. All the victims who committed suicide were actually killers in the past but had escaped justice either by fraud or by threatening and intimidating the victims' families.
What shocked Dani most was that some of the wronged victims' families were now working in the charity organization where Yaman worked.
Dani (in a low voice, barely audible):
"So the killer is achieving justice for those people — he didn't commit these crimes just for revenge but to take the rights of those who were wronged. But I hope what I think is not true."
His thoughts were cut off by the secretary's voice:
"Sir, Director Yasser is waiting for you."
Dani knocked on the door and entered. Hearing the director's voice, he said, "Please, come in." The director was sitting at a large table with two chairs in front of him. He stood and extended his hand to shake Dani's, saying:
"Welcome, Detective Dani. My personal assistant told me you want to see me urgently."
Dani extended his hand to shake:
"Yes, that's right, Mr. Yasser."
Director Yasser (with fear and hesitation in his voice):
"Ry... Ryan?"
Dani:
"Yes, your son Ryan. Don't worry, it's nothing to be concerned about. I just want to ask you some questions about his past and what happened to make him leave his friend Yaman, whom he loves."
Director Yasser (with sadness and disappointment):
"Ryan didn't leave his friend. I was the one who made him leave."
Dani:
"But why did you do that?"
Director Yasser:
"Because Ryan is my only son and the heir of the family, owner of all these companies and businesses. How could I leave him in a place where he has no future?"
Dani:
"But I know how much Ryan loves his friend Yaman. So how did he agree to leave him?"
Director Yasser:
"Indeed, since my wife passed away, Ryan used to accompany Yaman, go to his house, and spend the whole day with him and his family. Before Yaman's parents died, Ryan and I came to that city for some business. I rented the house under their home, and Ryan used to take the children to school daily. I used to pick him up from their home after work. Ryan got to know the girls at school; he was in the same class and became friends quickly — their relationship even grew into a strong friendship. I often saw them together, whether at school or the neighborhood park.
One day, I was late at work and arrived at school only to find it closed. I couldn't find Ryan anywhere, so I panicked and reported to the police. But they refused to help, saying 24 hours must pass before any search. I returned home devastated, with tears filling my eyes and sorrow filling my heart because I thought I lost my son.
I entered the house and sat on the sofa. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. I opened it and found the knocker was Ryan. I hugged him, crying, and asked, 'Where have you been? Are you alright, my son?' He replied with a sweet, innocent voice: 'Don't worry, uncle, Ryan is fine.'
I looked up to see who was speaking — a small, very beautiful child with a charming smile, accompanied by a tall man who seemed to be his father. The man said: 'I am Amer, your neighbor from above, and this is my son Yaman.'
I got up and shook his hand: 'I am Yasser, new here. Thank you for helping me with my son.'
Amer: 'No need to thank me. Ryan is just like Yaman — they are both my sons.' (He said this while looking at the two children and laughing.)
The small boy replied: 'Yes, uncle Amer. Yaman and I are brothers.'
Yaman: 'Great, now I have a wonderful brother.'
Amer (laughing): 'That's right, little ones. You two are brothers, and we are brothers too. Or don't you want that?' (He joked.)
I replied: 'I do want that, and I am glad.'
It was getting late, and we didn't want to bother them any longer.
Amer: 'Look what you're saying, you've started the same conversation again.'
I laughed and said: 'Sorry, this will be the last time.'
Amer: 'Alright. How about you come have dinner with us? You must be tired and can't prepare food. Also, you can get to know my family since we are brothers now. And if you say you'll bother me again, I'll be upset with you.'
I said: 'Okay, daughter.' Then we went upstairs to have dinner with him, his wife, and his two sons.
His daughter Lin was kind and beautiful; she took care of Ryan and played with him like a sister would with her brother Yaman. Her mother was also kind. When I told them my story and about losing my wife, they asked me to let Ryan stay with them while I was at work and not to come to pick him up from school because they would do it. Yaman's mother insisted, and I eventually agreed.
They were a very kind family. Every day after work, I would sometimes arrive late to pick Ryan up from their home. Often I found him asleep with Yaman. We would have dinner there, and then I would take Ryan home. Sometimes, when Ryan was asleep, he would still hold Yaman's hand and refuse to let go, so I let him sleep there.
We continued like this until that fateful day.
I returned in the evening but did not hear their usual laughter. I knocked on the door, which was opened by a strange woman I had seen before on the wall of Amer's house — she was his sister. The house was crowded with people. I was shocked when I entered the living room to find my friend and guardian, who was like a brother to me and a second father to my son, along with his wife, both dead.
I was stunned and tears streamed down my face. I collapsed to the ground and cried. Someone came to comfort me, saying, 'They were good people, and their departure won't be easy. But you must be strong for the children.'
Hearing this, I got up. 'The children! Where are the children? Where is Yaman? Where are my three children?'
Amer's sister came to me, saying, 'They are in the room, and Lin locked them in. She took them and locked the door.'
I headed to the room and knocked gently. Lin answered that she and her siblings were fine and didn't want to see anyone. Despite everything, Lin was a strong girl who didn't show her grief. Instead, she feared more for her two brothers than anything else.
I said: 'Open, Lin. It's me, your uncle Yasser.'
She opened the door slowly, holding back tears.
I looked at her as she stayed strong for her brothers.
I looked at them sitting on the carpet. I told them that their uncle Yasser promised everything would be fine. I said their father was now in a better place, and they too would join him soon.
'Isn't that right?' I asked.
They nodded, though I could not hide my sorrow. I hugged Lin, who cried silently, tears falling down her face. She was strong for her brothers, sacrificing everything for them — even giving up studying abroad.
When my neighbor and his wife were absent, I struggled to manage the two boys. Although Amer's sister stayed with them saying she wouldn't return to the village and found a job close to her nephews to raise them, she couldn't handle Yaman well. Yaman always said he wanted to go to his parents. Ryan said the same.
I was helpless, but Lin was the only one who could handle them.
Days and months passed. The neighbors advised me to marry Yaman's aunt for the children's sake, and so I did.
Years passed, the children grew up. Lin entered university, and the two boys entered high school. I came to Saqariya city to develop my business and build a large company.
I wanted to bring them here, but the children refused to leave, frequently visiting the village that was Amer and his wife's original home. Their grandparents visited from time to time, as did their relatives.
Honestly, I was tempted and wanted my son to come with me and leave them. He is my only heir.
Whenever I asked him to come study here, he said he wouldn't leave Yaman and go.
I kept convincing him, but he refused by all means.
So, my wife and I came here and left him with them.
One day when I went to visit, I knew the children would be at school, and Lin would be at university, finishing after them. I planned to surprise them all.
I went to the high school to pick up the two boys and then planned to take Lin from the university.
From afar, I saw Ryan jumping over the school wall as if he wanted to escape.
I laughed to myself and thought, 'You're always this mischievous; you'll never change.'
I was sure his brother would be with him.
I chased Ryan and thought I would catch them and scold them for their mischief.
I bumped into a passerby, dropped his belongings, apologized, and helped him pick them up.
Afterward, I didn't see Ryan.
I talked to myself: 'Where did that mischievous boy go? No problem, I'll keep searching for them.'
I laughed and said, 'I'll find them and chase them too. They're big boys but still do these tricks.'
My attention was drawn to an alley.
The street was empty.
I wished the sky would take me away at that moment.
There in front of me were the two boys — Yaman and Ryan.
A man lay on the ground in a pool of blood.
In Yaman's hand was a knife with bloodstains.
I shouted at them: 'What are you doing?'
Both looked shocked.
Ryan: 'Dad?!'
Yaman: 'Uncle Yasser?!'
I said, 'It's not what it looks like.'
Ryan: 'Yes, Dad.'
'It doesn't matter what it looks like. Go now before the police come. I'll handle it. Yaman, throw that knife away quickly.'
The two boys left.
I took the knife — the only evidence.
I checked; the street was empty with no surveillance cameras.
I returned home at night, opening the door with one of the keys I had.
Lin greeted me happily.
I asked her who told her I was coming.
She said her aunt had called her and told her.
I talked with her a little and asked about the boys.
She said they were in Yaman's room talking about their affairs as usual.
I went to see them and found them worried, looking at the wall.
I entered and closed the door behind me to prevent Lin from overhearing our conversation.
I looked at them and said, 'Now, which one of you will tell me what's going on?'
Ryan said, 'I am your son.'
Yaman interrupted, 'Uncle Yasser, this man caused the death of my father and mother. He killed them, so I killed him.'
I turned to him with disappointment and anger, raising my hand to hit him.
Ryan stood in front of me and held my hand.
Ryan said, 'But, Dad...'
Yaman held Ryan's hand and said, 'Uncle, you have the right to be angry, but this man tore our family apart, and we have to take our rights from him.'
I said, 'But not this way. We didn't raise you like this.'
'Is this how Amer raised you?'
I said to Ryan, 'Dad, don't blame Yaman. A person cannot control his temper in such situations.'
I asked how they knew this.
They said they were investigating, and the man worked with Amer but was jealous and hated him, which is why he arranged the accident.
I realized then that anger can blind a person to what is right and wrong.
I looked at them again and felt they were remorseful and aware of their mistakes.
I was afraid for their future; they were teenagers and didn't know right from wrong.
So, I decided to end the matter then and there.
I told them, 'Only the three of us know about this. It must not come out of here. Do you understand?'
They nodded.
I said, 'Now, let's go out. Make sure Lin doesn't know anything about this. Get yourselves cleaned up and come join me for dinner.'
Two days passed with some tension between us.
One day, Yaman was outside the house while I, Lin, and Ryan were inside.
I asked Ryan to come downstairs with me to help bring some old books from our old house.
I didn't really want any books; it was an excuse to sit alone with Ryan.
You might find what I'm going to tell you pitiful and pathetic, but I'm only a weak father who wants his son close to him.
When we went down to the old house, Ryan went to the bookshelf and asked which books I wanted.
I said, 'Come here. I want to talk to you.'
Ryan: 'Okay, Dad, what's the matter?'
I said, 'You're coming with me. You will travel with me to Saqariya.'
Ryan: 'No, Dad. How many times have we