The Second Life of Adam Cosmos

The Cosmos family sat in Isaac's sleek black sedan, the quiet hum of the engine filling the silence as they drove through the city streets toward the hotel. Sitting behind the wheel, Dr. Isaac Cosmos appeared focused but distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. Beside him, Cassandra sat, her fingers tapping lightly on her lap, betraying her anxiousness.

Nathan, Selene, and Keira filled the seats in the back, each occupied with their own thoughts as the car glided through the evening traffic.

The subject that hung between them, unspoken but heavy, was Adam. It was Cassandra who finally broke the silence.

“I invited Adam to join us tonight,” she said softly, her voice hopeful yet tentative, as though testing the waters.

Isaac exhaled sharply but didn’t take his eyes off the road. “I see. It’s been a long time since he joined us for anything.”

Cassandra glanced at her husband, noting the calmness in his voice. "I just want to see him, Isaac. I know you’re concerned about his choices, but… I’m his mother. It’s been months. I need to know how he’s really doing.”

Isaac gave a small nod, though his expression remained neutral. “I see.”

Ding!

Both Cassandra and Selene’s phones buzzed at the same time. The simultaneous chime broke the tension for a moment. Cassandra checked her phone first, a flicker of relief softening her face.

"It's Adam. He says he’s coming," she said, her voice brightening.

Selene, looking at her own phone, smiled faintly. "Told you."

Cassandra sighed, her hand unconsciously resting on her chest. “It’s not too late,” she murmured. “And it’s not all about his career. He’s our son, Isaac. I just want to make sure he’s happy. If this is what he wants, shouldn’t we support him?”

Nathan snorted from the back seat, crossing his arms. “Adam was never going to succeed as a doctor anyway. You saw how half-hearted he was about med school. No real drive, no passion. Frankly, I’m not surprised he quit. It’s just disappointing he chose something as ridiculous as gaming to latch onto.”

Selene shot Nathan a glare, crossing her arms defensively. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Nathan,” she said, her voice sharp. “Adam’s doing well. More than well. He’s making good money, better than any of us thought he would. Just because he’s not following Dad’s precious plan doesn’t mean he’s a failure.”

Nathan scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Good money? For how long? That kind of thing doesn’t last. He’ll run out of luck eventually, and then what? Come crawling back asking for help?”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Selene retorted, her tone turning to tease. “You haven’t seen him like I have. He’s not the same Adam you remember. You wouldn’t believe it if you saw him. He’s got things under control, more than you think.”

She didn’t disclose the full extent of Adam’s earnings—partly because she didn’t know for sure, but also because it wasn’t her place to reveal.

Isaac frowned slightly but remained quiet, processing his daughter's words. He wasn’t angry, but his disappointment in Adam’s decision was clear. “I hope you’re right, Selene, for his sake. But it’s not too late for him to return to something more stable. He can still turn things around.”

Ding!

Another notification. Selene glanced at her phone again. “He’s already at the hotel,” she announced, looking up at the others with a smile that bordered on smugness.

Though more anxious to see her son than to debate his career, Cassandra smiled faintly at Selene through the rear-view mirror. She appreciated her daughter’s defense of Adam, even if it didn’t fully soothe her concerns. “I haven’t visited him since he left,” she admitted softly. “I figured… he needed time to figure things out. But I miss him. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”

Isaac gave a small nod, though his expression remained neutral. “I’m not angry with him, Cassandra. I’ve made that clear. But he threw away a career, a future that was guaranteed. And for what? A game. He’s made a mistake, and I hope he realizes it soon before it’s too late to turn around.” He paused, then added more firmly, “I’ll only welcome him back when he’s reconsidered his choice in life. It’s not too late, but he needs to come to his senses.”

In the far corner of the back seat, Keira shifted slightly, offering a non-committal shrug. “Well, we’ll see how he’s doing tonight,” she said, her tone neutral, careful not to take sides. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

Nathan chuckled under his breath. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”

The car fell into silence as the hotel drew nearer, each family member lost in their thoughts about Adam. Whether it was judgment, hope, or simple curiosity, they all carried their own expectations for the evening ahead.

Selene, however, couldn’t help but smile. She was the most confident about Adam’s well-being out of everyone in the car. Over the months, she had seen a side of him that the others hadn’t—a side that wasn’t just stronger and more certain but focused in a way she couldn’t quite describe. It wasn’t just about choosing between med school or gaming. It was as if Adam was preparing for something far bigger than either of those paths.

As they neared the hotel's grand entrance, Cassandra couldn’t help but whisper, “I just hope tonight goes well.”

As the Cosmos family stepped out of the car and approached the grand entrance of the Hao Wei Palms International Hotel, the polished marble floors gleamed under the golden lights of the lobby. The soft strains of classical music floated through the air, and the subtle scent of fresh lilies added to the atmosphere of elegance. Waiting near the reception desk was none other than Hao Jun, his sharp eyes and dignified posture unmistakable. Although Hao Jun and Dr. Isaac Cosmos regularly met in virtual reality for their doctor-patient consultations, this was the first time Hao Jun would meet the rest of Isaac’s family in person.

Hao Jun greeted them with a warm, welcoming smile as they drew closer. For someone of his stature to personally receive his guests was unusual, but his gratitude for Dr. Cosmos’s care outweighed formalities. It wasn’t every day that a billionaire took time to welcome his guests personally.

"Dr. Cosmos," Hao Jun began, shaking Isaac’s hand firmly. "It’s good to see you again." His eyes shifted toward the rest of the family, and he added with a smile, "And these must be your family. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you at last."

Isaac nodded, returning the greeting. "It’s an honor to finally introduce them. This is my wife, Cassandra, and our children—Nathan, Keira, and Selene."

Cassandra stepped forward with a warm smile and shook Hao Jun’s hand. “Thank you for having us, Mr. Hao,” she said, her voice soft but sincere. Nathan, always the formal one, followed suit with a firm handshake, while Keira and Selene offered polite smiles, though Selene’s eyes flicked toward her phone, checking for a message from Adam. He hadn’t yet responded to her latest text.

"It’s wonderful to meet your family," Hao Jun said, his voice filled with respect. "Dr. Cosmos speaks highly of each of you."

“Thank you for hosting us,” Cassandra replied, a touch of gratitude in her tone.

"My pleasure," Hao Jun said, gesturing toward the hall leading to the terrace. "Shall we head to our table? I’ve arranged a spot outside. The evening air is perfect for a relaxing meal."

He chuckled lightly, adding with a playful gleam in his eye, "Besides, it gives me an excuse to enjoy a good cigar. Though I hope my indulgence won’t offend a family of doctors!"

Isaac and Nathan exchanged amused glances, both joining in the polite laughter with the rest of the family. Cassandra smiled, though the subtle disapproval of the habit was clear in her eyes, while Keira let out a soft chuckle. Selene, usually quick to comment, simply smirked, finding the moment amusing.

"We won’t hold it against you," Isaac joked with a smile. "We’ve certainly dealt with worse."

As they made their way through the grand hallways, the conversation between Isaac and Hao Jun continued lightheartedly, filled with banter and casual comments about the evening ahead. Behind them, Selene’s focus returned to her phone, wondering why Adam had yet to reply.

The cool evening breeze greeted them as they stepped onto the terrace, refreshing after the hotel's warmth. Soft string lights hung overhead, casting a gentle glow over the tables, and the city's glittering skyline stretched out before them, adding to the ambiance.

“Ah,” Hao Jun said with a fond smile, “there’s my granddaughter, Ling.” He gestured toward a pair of figures seated at the far end of the terrace, their backs to the approaching group. “And I believe you all know who she’s speaking to.”

The Cosmos family followed his gaze and saw a beautiful young woman dressed in a deep red qipao, her long, dark hair flowing gracefully down her back. The golden embroidery on her dress shimmered under the lights, and her posture exuded elegance. Ling leaned forward slightly, her voice light but animated as she spoke to the man beside her.

Isaac and Cassandra exchanged puzzled glances. Keira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Nathan squinted, trying to discern the identity of the man Ling was conversing with. From where they stood, neither Ling nor her companion had noticed their approach, both fully engrossed in their conversation.

"Who could that be?" Cassandra whispered, her curiosity piqued.

Their expressions shifted when the man sitting with Ling turned slightly, just enough for them to recognize his profile.

It was Adam.

Cassandra’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t seen him in months, and now, here he was—dressed sharply in a tailored suit, his posture more confident, and his demeanor composed. He looked different. Older, more polished. Her heart swelled with a mix of relief and sadness. He had changed, but she couldn’t quite tell if it was for the better.

Isaac’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, observing his son with the same clinical precision he used in surgery. Adam’s transformation wasn’t just physical—it was in his bearing, his confidence, something in his gaze that felt unfamiliar.

Nathan, on the other hand, was less discreet with his reaction. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. He hadn’t expected Adam to look this… accomplished.

Selene, however, had a knowing smile on her face. She had seen the change in Adam long before the rest of them had. This wasn’t the same brother who had once dreaded going through med school, uncertain and aimless. This was someone with purpose, someone who had found his path, even if the rest of the family didn’t understand it yet.

Keira leaned in toward Selene, whispering, “He looks different, doesn’t he?”

Selene nodded slightly, her eyes still on Adam. “Told you,” she murmured in return.

Hao Jun noticed the family’s reaction and let out a quiet chuckle. “It seems your son has made quite an impression.”

Isaac said nothing, his eyes still locked on Adam, but Cassandra’s hand rested gently on Isaac’s arm. “He’s here,” she said softly, her voice filled with a mother’s relief.

Hao Jun gestured toward the table, his smile warm and welcoming. “Shall we join them?”