Evan returned his parents' embrace. Against his father's shoulder, he could feel how frail the man had become. His mother gently rubbed his back—just like she used to when he was a child.
The lines on their faces had deepened. They were growing older.
But he remained the same.
The same body. The same face. The 2020 version of Evan, born in 1995.
He took a deep breath. There was no use grieving over it anymore. At least he still had them. At least, he wasn't alone.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart," his mother whispered emotionally.
Evan simply smiled. This year, he would be more prepared. He would live his life better.
January 2, 2020
Evan walked into the office, down the hallway he knew so well. Everything felt the same—like an endless déjà vu.
He arrived at his desk. The same desk.
Monitor, keyboard, work files... and beside it, the same pencil holder.
As if time had never moved for him. Only the people around him changed.
Evan let out a soft sigh and sat down. His hand reached for the pencil holder, just to feel that it was real. Back at the beginning again.
But this time, he was ready.
Mid-February 2020
News about a new virus started flooding the internet and television. At first, people at the office didn't take it seriously. They kept working as usual, thinking it was just some distant issue overseas.
Then, the official company email arrived: a new policy was being implemented due to the pandemic.
Meetings shifted online. Some projects were postponed. Hand sanitizers appeared at every corner of the office.
Evan observed these changes calmly. He knew the world was heading into uncertain territory. But compared to the cycles of his own life, constantly resetting to the same point, this pandemic was just another variable he had to adapt to.
What mattered more to him now was protecting his father's company—and Sienna.
As the company began losing revenue, things at home grew more serious too. What was once a space for relaxed business discussions in his father's home office had turned into a war room of financial reports, survival strategies, and nonstop phone calls.
Evan sat at the desk across from his father, reading report after report. His father looked exhausted, but still held himself together. Most employees had been laid off. The company was barely surviving with a skeleton team to maintain basic operations.
"Dad, how many months of reserve funds do we have left?" Evan asked.
His father sighed. "If revenue stays at zero? Three months. After that, we'll have to take drastic measures."
Evan tapped his fingers on the table. He knew that in a crisis like this, money wasn't the only thing that mattered—quick decisions and long-term strategies were just as important.
"I'll help find a way," he said firmly.
His father looked at him and gave a faint smile. "I know, Van. I'm grateful you're here."
To Evan, this was more than just saving the family business. It was about responsibility—not just to the company, but to all the people who depended on it.
Evan leaned back in his chair and closed his laptop after reading the financial reports. Things were getting harder. But in the middle of all the business concerns, one name kept surfacing in his mind. Sienna.
If a large company like his father's was in danger, what about small businesses like Laras's catering? With no parties, no corporate events, they must be barely making anything.
Evan opened his phone and found Laras's contact. He hesitated a moment, then typed:
Evan:Aunt Laras, how are you? I know this is a hard time for business. Is there anything I can help with?
Not long after, she replied.
Laras:It's tough, Evan. All events are canceled. I had to lay off most of my staff. Sienna's still helping as much as she can, but I know she's worried too.
Evan fell silent. Sienna was still helping? The girl might never complain, but he could imagine how hard things must be at their home.
He drew in a deep breath, thinking hard. There had to be a way to help—without making Laras feel like she was receiving charity.
After a while, an idea came to him. Hospitals.
Since the pandemic started, hospitals had been overwhelmed with demands. If Laras's catering could supply food to medical workers, it could help the business survive.
Evan:Aunt, what if the catering business served hospitals? I could try to connect you with people who need meal supplies for medical staff.
Message sent. Now, he just had to wait.
Laras took a few minutes to respond.
Laras:Serve hospitals? I never thought of that. But... is it even possible?
Evan:It is. I'll try to help open the path. What matters is that you and your team can keep going.
Laras:Evan, if this is because of Sienna...
Evan smiled faintly. Laras was always perceptive.
Evan:It's business, Aunt. If the catering survives, everyone benefits. I'll contact a few people today.
Laras didn't reply right away. Maybe she was considering it. But finally, a message appeared on Evan's screen.
Laras:Alright. I trust you, Evan.
Evan contacted several colleagues in healthcare, including contacts from hospitals affiliated with the company. He explained that a small catering business could provide meals for medical staff at a reasonable cost.
Some were interested. Hospitals needed food supplies that were hygienic and reliable, and Laras's catering could be a good solution.
That evening, Evan got another message from Laras.
Laras:We got our first order. It's not a lot, but it's enough to start again.
Evan looked at the message with relief. At least one problem was partially solved. But deep down, he knew there was something else that brought him peace:
Sienna wouldn't go hungry.
A quiet business wasn't the only strange thing about 2020. There was something even more unsettling—something that kept bothering Evan.
Sienna's kidnapping.
Or rather—the absence of it.
Evan started to sense something was wrong when he tried looking up old news reports about the incident. He remembered clearly that it had briefly made headlines, even if not major ones. But now, there wasn't a single trace.
No news articles. No police reports. Even the contact details of the officers who had handled the case were gone from his phone.
As if it had never happened.
Evan dug deeper. He searched for other proof—maybe CCTV footage he'd saved, or notes he'd written at the time. But everything was gone.
The deeper he looked, the stranger it felt.
And there was only one person he could ask.
Evan:"Sienna, do you remember anything about the kidnapping?"
Sienna:"Of course, Uncle Evan."
Her voice was flat, but behind it was something firm. A certainty.
Evan:"So… it's just the two of us who still remember?"
Sienna looked at him, her brown eyes sharp and filled with secrets.
Sienna:"Seems like it."
Evan pressed his fingers to his temple. He didn't understand. Every year, his life reset—but the past usually left traces. So why was this time different? How could something so big just vanish without a trace?
And more importantly—why were they the only ones who remembered?
December 31, 2020
No party. No guests. No birthday cake with a "26" candle that always turned back into "25."
Just a simple dinner at home—just the three of them: Evan, his father, and his mother.
The world was still trapped in a pandemic. The streets were quiet, empty. There was none of the usual New Year's cheer. Even the sound of fireworks was scarcer than usual.
In the dining room, Evan sat with his parents. His father looked more tired than ever, the lines on his face deeper. His mother served warm soup—simple, but still special.
"We can't celebrate like we usually do," his mother said with a smile. "But what matters is, we're still together."
Evan nodded slowly. "Yes, Ma."
His father looked at him for a long moment, then said, "Evan, whatever happens next year—hang in there."
Evan took a sip of his drink, then glanced at the clock on the wall. Five minutes left.
He drew in a deep breath. Year after year, he had faced loss. But this time, he no longer expected much.
Next year, he would go back to the beginning.
Next year, he'd still be 25.
Next year, his life might change all over again.
But this time, he was ready.
Because there were still two things he had to protect:
His father's company… and Sienna.