CHAPTER 4

CATHERINE POV 

FIVE YEARS LATER

“Ma’am, the clients are at the office. They’re requesting an urgent meeting.”

My fingers drummed against my thigh. My gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery outside, the fading skyline melting into the distance while the rich scent of car leather filled my nostrils.

“Escort them out. I don't do urgent. meetings.”

“I tried, but”

“If they persist, call security and have them thrown out of my building. The Vance Reconstruction Group doesn't tolerate disrespect.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I hung up. I had too much work to deal with and zero patience for corporate drama especially on the night of the Lockwood dinner party.

No matter how much I had objected, Adrian was set in stone about my attendance. He claimed it was the ultimate opportunity for me to expand. I already dominated Ohio, no local company could compete with half of what I’d built over the last five years.

Ohio was small and while I could expand further, I chose not to. The bigger my footprint grew, the higher the risk of being exposed to the wrong eyes.

The car ground to a halt. I turned my head, staring up at the imposing architecture of the building ahead.

A soft smile touched my lips as I stepped out, my heels clicking against the tarmac. But my steps faltered the moment my eyes landed on three matching pairs of grey eyes.

They hadn't noticed me yet.

Sera stood with her bag barely hanging off her shoulder, her once-neat uniform rumpled. Beside her, Dylan held her hand, his icy grey gaze scanning the compound like a guard on high alert. Diana stood on his other side, absently fidgeting with her bracelet.

My smile widened. Just then, Dylan’s eyes locked onto mine. His cold demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a radiant grin.

“Mummy!” he shouted.

Sera and Diana whipped their heads around, their faces lighting up to match his. All three sprinted toward me. I crouched low, opening my arms wide.

They slammed into me with enough force to nearly knock me over.

Nearly..

“Good afternoon, Mummy!” they giggled in unison.

I pressed a kiss to Sera’s soft cheek, one to Dylan’s forehead, and another to Diana’s face. They dissolved into more giggles.

“How was your day, my babies?”

“Fine!”

“Cool.”

“I am not a baby,” Diana chimed in, earning an immediate smack on the head from Sera.

“You are too!”

I chuckled at their endless banter.

“Mummy, Dylan made the teacher look like an absolute fool!” Sera blurted out.

I blinked, my lips parting. “Dylan did what?”

“I didn't do anything,” he mumbled, scrunching his nose. “I only corrected him on how to solve a rubix cube. He was wrong and refused to admit it, so he challenged me to solve. I did and then I gave him my a complex cube of mine. He couldn't solve it.”

“And then the whole class laughed at him!” Diana added with a smug smile.

Both of them looked fiercely proud, confident... and terrifyingly sharp

They looked just like him

A tight knot formed in my chest, pulling hard.

“Listen to me,” I said softly, looking Dylan in the eye. “Your teacher is your elder. You shouldn't disrespect your elders.”

“He started it.”

“Then report it to the administration. Don't take matters into your own hands.”

“But”

“No excuses, Dylan. Respect your elders, no matter how smart or capable you think you are. You are not above anyone.”

“And no one is above me,” he stated calmly.

I opened my mouth to correct him, but Sera’s whiny rumble cut me off.

“Mummy, I’m hungry!”

I sighed, letting the argument drop for now. “Alright, let’s go.”

I held Dylan’s gaze for a second longer before standing up and guiding them toward the car.

“Good afternoon, Uncle!” they chorused to the driver, who smiled and greeted them back.

I stared down at Dylan. They had the exact same eyes, the same chilling composure, the same arrogant confidence. Though Dylan was fiercely protective of those he loved, he wouldn't spare a second glance for anyone outside of Sera, Diana, Aunt Jasmine, and me. He barely even tolerated Adrian.

Diana was cut from the same cloth, though she smiled more than Dylan even if not as easily as Sera.

I released a heavy breath.

“Mummy, are you okay?” Dylan murmured, peering up at me.

I smiled softly, pulling him closer into my embrace. “We’re all together, so of course Mummy is okay.”

They grinned, identical dimples piercing their cheeks.

The car rolled up the driveway of the villa, and we all piled out. I watched the three of them race inside while I gathered their backpacks and followed behind. I paused in the doorway, greeted by the sight of the kids throwing their arms around Aunt Jasmine.

She beamed, showering them with kisses while asking about their day.

I stepped into the foyer.

“Grandma Jas, I’m starving!”

“Grandma Jas, Dylan publicly humiliated his teacher today!”

“Did not!”

“Calm down, you three little troublemakers,”

 Aunt Jasmine laughed softly. “Go wash up first. Then you can tell me all about this poor teacher whom Dylan may or may not have destroyed. And Sera, my sweet girl, we’ll get you fed.”

They giggled and scrambled up the grand staircase.

Aunt Jasmine finally turned her attention to me.

“My child,” she murmured.

I stepped into her arms, wrapping my hands around her tightly. Five years ago, after she rescued me from that burning wreck, I expected her to walk away. She didn't. She stayed by my side through the high-risk pregnancy and through the shock after delivery when I gave birth to triplets instead of twins.

The doctor had explained it was an exceptionally rare case where one fetus had been hidden behind the other on the ultrasounds. I had nearly broken down completely back then; I was barely prepared for two babies, let alone three. Sera had been my unexpected blessing.

And Aunt Jasmine was the one who made me see it that way.

“My child,” she said, pulling back to look at me critically. “You’re far too thin. Are you even eating? Or are you trying to work yourself into an early grave like that foolish son of mine, Adrian?”

A soft laugh bubbled up from my chest. “Of course not. Thank you so much for coming on such short notice. I have an event to attend tonight, and I don't trust the kids with anyone else.”

The last time I left them with the temporary nannies, they both quit by sunrise.

“No need for formalities with me. Besides, I missed my grandbabies,” she smiled, hugging me once more. “Go enjoy your evening. I’ll keep the house in order.”

I nodded gratefully.

A few hours later, the kids were fed and happily chatting with Aunt Jasmine while I prepared for the gala. As much as I despised these high-society functions, maintaining strong alliances with powerful CEOs was a necessity, insurance policies I could leverage if I ever needed protection.

I smoothed down the sleek grey evening gown that clung to my silhouette, accentuating every curve. My hair was swept up into an effortlessly elegant bun, my makeup sharp and polished.

After kissing the kids goodnight, I headed out.

Twenty minutes later, my car pulled up to the Starlight Hall. I stepped out, the sharp click of my heels echoing off the red carpet as I walked inside. The grand hall vibrated with soft music, clinking champagne flutes, and the unmistakable buzz of elite wealth.

I crossed the room, a flawless professional smile fixed on my lips while my eyes swept the venue for our hosts.

I was halfway across the floor when a deep, familiar voice spoke behind me.

“You actually came.”

I turned. My gaze landed on icy blue eyes that had softened considerably, a slight curve gracing his lips. He looked far less stern than he had at the hospital.

Adrian.

He looked striking in a tailored black tuxedo that fit him impeccably, his hair styled to perfection.

“Of course I came,” I said, keeping my tone light to mask the persistent knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.

“Good. That saves me from having to execute my backup plan of abducting you.”

I opened my mouth to toss back a retort, but the sudden boom of the announcer’s voice through the speakers cut me off cold.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Starlight Gala! We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our distinguished guests for joining us tonight, with special thanks to our esteemed organizers and patrons: Mr. Zyan Salvatore, Mr. Adrian Lockwood, Mr. Killian Castle, and Mr. Dominic Moretti.”

My entire body went rigid.