Mag-log inShe was somehow crying harder than Milo ever did.Lily laughed through her tears. "I'm just so happy. I thought I thought if you took him to Rivermouth, I'd never see him again.""You'll always be his mother," Adrian said.Lily knew, deep down, that wasn't really how it worked.As time went on.With less and less time together, with a whole new life filling up around him, the early years tended to fade even the people in them.But hearing Adrian say it anyway filled her with warmth all the same.They left the mall."Want to come see him?" Adrian asked.Lily smiled, hesitant. "I don't want to impose."Not exactly convenient timing."Dana just texted," Adrian said. "Milo's there too playing with Sophie, refusing to leave."Lily laughed. "She must be a sweet kid, then."A faint smile pulled at his mouth. "You really do love little girls, don't you. Want to come?"Heat rose in her cheeks.She made a small sound of agreement.He nodded.Smiled, settled on yes.They arrived at the apartment
Milo, bundled up in a puffy coat, followed Adrian to the station.High-speed rail terminal.Adrian spotted a familiar face.Years since they'd last stood face to face.Marcus Webb approached, a child balanced on one arm, a woven bag nearly as tall as himself slung over the other."Commander!"Adrian clapped him on the shoulder. "No commanders here. Just Adrian."At that—Marcus laughed, a little embarrassed.He glanced at Milo. "Sir — this your son? He's gotten so big."Adrian offered a brief explanation. "My nephew. Let's get something to eat first."Marcus made a soft sound of surprise.The little girl in his arms looked about Milo's age — small, thin, painfully shy, refusing to meet anyone's eyes.Marcus said, smiling, "This is my daughter, Sophie. She's five. A little introverted."Milo tilted his head back.Studied the silent girl.Then said, cheerful, "We've got the same last name — I'm Milo Webb. Wait, no — Milo Ford! What a coincidence, almost!"Sophie glanced at him briefly.
Adrian drove back to the family estate.Just in time to cross paths with the car taking his father to the helipad.He stepped out, expression cold.Winston's brow furrowed. "What is it?"Prescott hurried over. "Sir, the old master's decided to head back to Rivermouth early."Adrian said nothing.Winston's frown deepened, voice sharp. "What's wrong with you? I'm asking."Adrian shook his head. "Nothing. Safe travels."Winston: "..."He muttered something unintelligible, then climbed into the car.He gave Prescott one last instruction through the window. "While I'm away, keep a close eye on this reckless son of mine. Report anything to me immediately."Prescott nodded, smiling. "Of course, sir. Don't worry he's not a child anymore."They watched the car pull away.Adrian turned a steady, probing gaze on Prescott.Prescott's eyes slid away instinctively.Adrian stepped closer. "Prescott. You're the elder here. I'll give you the chance to explain yourself."Prescott forced a laugh. "Young
"Ah! My baby, my stomach"Robin took an instinctive half-step back.Looked down at Vanessa, her face twisted in pain.Lily, gripping Robin's hand, said flatly, "Better call an ambulance. Wouldn't want to lose your golden ticket back home, would you?"At thatReal fear flashed across Harold's face.He scooped Vanessa up into his arms.Shot a furious glare at his wife, frozen in place. "What are you standing there for? Call an ambulance, now!"Mrs. Cole snapped out of it.Fumbled her phone out with shaking hands.Dialed emergency services.The three of them rushed out the door.Where Vanessa had fallen, Lily caught sight of a spreading pool of blood.She went momentarily still.Robin saw it a beat later.Stared, wide-eyed. "I thought she was faking it. I didn't actually think she'd bleed."Lily pressed her lips together.Whatever happened to Vanessa's child was on Vanessa. Not her problem.She thought about it for a moment.Then called the police anyway.To report that Vanessa, with bod
After introducing themselves, the officer got straight to it. "The two of you should be witnesses to last night's accident on Daybreak Road. We've had a report filed and have a few questions for you."Robin nodded automatically."I've got an elderly relative inside," she said. "Can I call my cousin out instead? I don't want to alarm her she just had heart surgery."The officer nodded, understanding.Robin hurried back and brought Lily out.The four of them stood at the gate.The officer went through a few questions. "According to the roadside cameras, you were stopped at the light when the accident happened. Did you notice anything off about the truck beforehand?"Robin answered, easy. "Honestly, Officer, it was pretty far off, and it was dark out. We were just glancing around while we waited at the light didn't even register anything until we heard the impact.""If we'd been staring straight ahead the whole time, people might start thinking we can predict traffic accidents."The offi
Beatrice stood frozen.Staring blankly at Nathan, unable to force out so much as a single word.He guided her, gently, over to where his father stood.His father barely glanced at her.Something seemed to seize in Beatrice's throat.She looked at him.At the faint red marks still visible at his collar, at how he'd clearly just rolled out of someone else's bed to be here. She forced the words out, halting. "Edmund Edmund was... Nathan did this"She didn't get to finish.Her husband cut her off sharply. "Watch what you're saying."The words landed like a slap across her face.Beatrice stood there, stunned into silence.Her fingers twisted into the hem of her coat, her eyes fixed back on the closed operating room doors.Her only lifeline now.Nothing but the sterile chill of the hospital hallway around her.The operating room doors swung open.Beatrice shot to her feet.A nurse rushed out, papers in hand. "Family of the patient?"Beatrice stumbled forward. "Me I'm his mother"The nurse h







