เข้าสู่ระบบOn the tenth day after the emergency delivery, the neonatologist finally arrived with news that allowed the family to breathe a little easier. "His lung function is showing real improvement," she reported during the morning rounds. "We're cautiously optimistic that we've moved beyond the most critical period, although he'll still need several more weeks of intensive care before we can even begin discussing discharge." The relief was immediate, and Cullen finally allowed himself to cry after days of holding everything inside. That evening, while sitting quietly with Mei, he looked through the names they had been considering. "I think we're ready to name him," he said. Mei squeezed his hand. "Which one?" Cullen smiled. "Harlan." They eventually announced the name to the family during a video call. "We want to name him Harlan Robert Wolfe," Cullen said. "Harlan for my grandfather, and Robert for Robert Hayes, who helped us understand so much more about who my grandfather reall
Nadia's blood ran cold as she read Cullen's message, the excitement over the documentary nomination disappearing so quickly that she barely registered the phone slipping slightly in her hand. "Caiden," she said, already moving toward their bedroom to pack. "Mei's having complications again, and Cullen needs us there immediately." Caiden was on his phone within seconds, arranging emergency travel much as they had during Grace's frightening arrival months earlier, while Nadia pulled clothes from the closet and dropped them into an open suitcase without bothering to fold them. "How severe?" he asked, calling Cullen directly while she continued packing. She could hear fragments of Cullen's response through the phone, his voice carrying barely controlled panic. "They're saying it could be worse than Grace's situation," Caiden relayed, his expression tightening. "The baby's showing signs of distress at only twenty-four weeks, and they're monitoring closely while preparing for the poss
The documentary's global release arrived in early June. The family had spent weeks preparing for the attention, but nothing could have prepared them for the scale of it. The documentary exploded across streaming platforms. Reviews were strong. Viewers shared clips and discussed the family's story across social media. Messages arrived from countries Nadia had never even visited. Sarah Chen called her during the first week. "I've never seen a response like this," Sarah said. "People aren't just watching. They're connecting with it." Nadia sat back in her chair. "That's what we hoped for." "And it's happening." The foundation also began receiving more international inquiries. Organizations wanted to partner with them, particularly because of the work they were doing with families affected by financial abuse and generational trauma. One evening, Nadia was watching viewer messages on her laptop when she found one that made her stop. A woman from Brazil had written about her own
Nadia read the message twice. Another offshore account. After everything they had uncovered about Roland, she should have been used to surprises by now. Somehow, they still managed to find her. "Caiden," she said, handing him the phone. "The streaming company's legal team found something during their due diligence. Another account connected to Roland." Caiden read the message, his expression tightening. "They're making disclosure part of the negotiations." "Maybe. Or they found something they think we need to know." "We need the documents before we assume anything." They contacted the media company's representative and requested every piece of information their legal team had uncovered. Two days later, the documents arrived. Their lawyer reviewed them first. "This appears legitimate," he said. "The account structure is consistent with the methods Roland used in several of his earlier offshore arrangements." "How much?" Caiden asked. "We're still working with estimates, b
The documentary took longer to finish after the discovery of Harlan's footage, pushing its release from spring to early summer. Life around the estate continued in the meantime. Harlowe was thriving at school. Grace was growing into an energetic toddler in Singapore, and the foundation continued expanding its work. One cold evening in February, Eleanor asked Nadia to join her in the library. Tea was already waiting. "I've been thinking about something," Eleanor said. Nadia sat across from her. "What?" "Love." Nadia smiled. "That's a serious subject for tea." Eleanor laughed softly. "I've spent most of my life believing love was something you protected. Something you kept safe by keeping parts of yourself at a distance." "And now?" "Now I think I was wrong." Nadia waited. "Love isn't simply a feeling that arrives and stays," Eleanor continued. "It's a choice. You make it again and again, especially when things become difficult." Nadia thought of Caiden. "You're talking
Nadia read the message twice. Even after everything they had uncovered, even after the book had been published and the documentary was nearly finished, there were still pieces of their family's past waiting to surface. She called Caiden. "Footage of my father?" he asked after she explained. "Actual video?" "Yes. They found an old news broadcast from 1994. They want us to watch it before they decide whether to use it." "I want to see it." They arranged a screening at the production company's offices the following week. For Caiden, there was something almost frightening about the idea. He had grown up with photographs of Harlan, stories about him, and memories that had faded with time. But he had never seen his father speak on a screen. The footage lasted only three minutes. Harlan appeared on a regional business news program, discussing Wolfe Meridian Corp's growth and the company's plans for future research. He looked younger than Caiden remembered, relaxed and confident, wi
Caiden looked at her with the same cool patience he probably applied to difficult board meetings. "So," he murmured, his eyes locking onto hers. "What is your final answer, Miss Verne?""Still no," she said, making sure every word landed.He studied her for a long, quiet moment. There was no flash
Nadia stumbled back two steps before she managed to catch her balance.The car window was already gliding down smooth and silent. She froze on the pavement because, out of all the black Bentleys in the city, of course it had to be his.Caiden barely glanced her way before his attention shifted to C
Nadia was up at six.Outside, it was still pitch black—the kind of freezing winter morning where just stepping out from under the duvet felt like a punishment. She stood by the window, wrapping both hands around a mug of warm water, watching the bare tree branches whip around in the wind. Christmas
The second Nadia stepped out of the hotel, the cold bit straight through her scarf. She paused at the top step, her boots planted in place as she tried to make sense of the mess in her head.Calling it bad luck felt ridiculous. She had shown up to her best friend's wedding looking for a night of ce







