I Keep an Eye on Things

Meanwhile, at Vaughn Enterprises, Sebastian sat behind his desk, eyes fixed on the screen. News alerts kept coming, photos of Alina leaving her hotel in Atheria, Adam at her side, flashes going off all around them.

John stepped in, holding a tablet. "Sir, the press caught them. Full coverage, photos, interviews, everything."

Sebastian leaned back, jaw tight. So she returns, with him at her side. Six years gone, now back, and leaving again. What's her play this time?

He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. The office was heavy with silence, heavier than the skyline outside his window. Six years of unanswered questions, and one picture brought all of it back.

"Where is she now?" he asked, voice low but sharp.

"Flight shows she’s heading to Marlowe," John said, tapping the screen. "Landing in about an hour."

"And Adam?" Sebastian’s eyes darkened.

"Still in Atheria, sir. He didn’t board with her," John replied cautiously.

Sebastian let out a slow breath. “Keep an eye on everything. Posts, news, even small changes, tell me right away. I want to know.”

John nodded. “There’s one more thing. Someone is looking into our systems. Very subtle. They’re not changing anything, just watching. Hard to trace.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened further. “Untraceable? For now. Don’t lose them. Whoever it is… I want a name.”

John stepped back. Sebastian looked out the window, city lights spilling across his desk. She’d been gone six years, yet with one quiet move, she could still shake everything he tried to control.

The plane touched down at Marlowe Airport, and Alina let out a slow breath. Relief washed over her as the familiar calm of home settled around her. Sam and Regina waited near the exit, standing straight, eyes alert.

“Smooth flight?” Sam asked.

“As smooth as it gets,” she said, pulling her luggage close. Home. Safe ground.

Regina stepped closer. “We saw the headlines. Atheria is still talking, your work, your connections, and Adam."

Alina pressed her lips lightly. “Let them talk. I’m home. That’s what matters.”

“Do you want me to counter anything?” Sam asked.

She shook her head. “No. Leave it. I just want to see the twins.”

Regina offered a small smile. “They’re fine. Agnes and Wilfred have everything under control.”

“I know,” Alina said quietly. “But it’s not the same.”

The ride home was quiet. Sam focused on the road while the familiar streets passed by. Alina watched the city, letting the steady hum of the car settle her thoughts. Two little voices. Two warm hugs. Her children waiting.

When they reached the Hart home, her chest tightened. The gate, the garden, the soft morning light, everything felt like a promise that some things still stayed steady.

She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Sam and Regina with a teasing smile on her lips. “So… how are my two troublemakers? Still getting along, I hope?”

Sam cleared his throat, trying to hide a small smile. “Mostly.”

Regina’s cheeks colored faintly. “The house… is still standing.”

Alina raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Sounds like quite the adventure. And here I thought you’d be relieved I was coming back.”

Sam’s jaw twitched, but his eyes softened. “Of course.”

Regina glanced at Sam, then down at her hands, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Yes… very happy.”

Alina grinned, shaking her head. “I can read you both. Don’t think you’re fooling anyone. But don't worry, I won’t tease you in front of the kids.”

She stepped out, her smile lingered as she grabbed her bag. "Now, let’s see my little explorers."

Before she reached the door, it swung open. Charlotte ran, chestnut hair bouncing, eyes wide. "Mom!" She wrapped her arms around Alina’s waist, pressing her cheek tight against her mother.

Alina laughed softly, lifting her. “Hey, my little explorer. I missed you.”

Charlotte giggled. “I missed you too!”

Nathaniel stood behind her, quiet, observant, hazel eyes sharp, so much like hers.

Alina bent down slightly. “And my serious one,” she said. “Keeping things in order?”

Nathaniel nodded once. “I’ve been making sure everything’s fine. And… we saw the news.”

Alina’s stomach tightened. “I figured you might.”

Charlotte tugged his sleeve. “Nate, don’t be weird. Mom’s back! Be happy!”

Nathaniel looked at Alina, then toward the living room. "I’ve been tracking. Some things don’t add up. But we’ll figure it out."

Alina rested a hand on his shoulder. “I know you’ve been busy.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Busy with your computer spy stuff again?”

Later that night, after dinner, after stories, after Charlotte fell asleep, the house went quiet. Nathaniel slipped into Alina’s study. She looked up from her papers, surprised.

“You’re still awake?” she asked gently.

"I need to ask you something," Nathaniel said, careful and steady. "About Atheria… the news. The stories."

Alina pressed her lips together. "I figured you’d see some of it. Watching the news while keeping an eye on the house, right?"

Nathaniel nodded. "Yes. But I’m checking more. Some things don’t match." He didn’t mention the Vaughn networks yet, he wanted to be sure first.

Alina studied him. Her son, sharp, calm, already seeing the pieces. “I see. You’ve learned well.”

He gave a small smile. "I’m good at these things. Noticing stuff. Putting pieces together."

She reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I trust you. But be careful. Some things are bigger than they look."

“I know,” he said. “But I can handle it. And… I think I already found something. Just not all of it yet.”

Alina leaned back, watching him. He was already noticing things she hadn’t said, putting the clues together on his own. A soft pride filled her, he might figure things out faster than anyone, even her.

“Focus on school for now,” she said gently. “Leave the rest to me.”

Nathaniel gave a small shrug, almost adult. “I’ll try. Good night.”

Alina smiled. "Alright. Bedtime. You have school tomorrow."

She watched him leave, relief and worry tugging at her chest. Her children were safe but sharp. In Nathaniel, she saw her own drive, a sign no secret would stay hidden for long.

She whispered to herself: We’ll face this together.