SPECIAL CHAPTER 1

Jane

Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Philip and Sarah's fairy-tale wedding. We were in Dubai, at Grandpa Mitchell's mansion, surrounded by a small circle of close friends and family, all gathered to witness the couple's intimate vows.

Yet, as they exchanged their promises of love, a deep sense of incompleteness washed over me. Perhaps there's truth in the saying that when life becomes a cycle of repetition—office, work, the Cornell mansion, and back again—you start to feel like something important is missing.

After the ceremony, I embraced Sarah tightly, tears threatening to spill. "Congratulations, love!"

The celebration continued, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I knew I needed to return to London to calm my churning emotions.

"Auntie Jane, are you alright?" Iris asked, her voice full of concern as she sat beside me at the round table with Rowan by her side.

I plastered on a smile, hoping it looked genuine. "Yes, sweetheart. Why do you ask?"

"You look sad."

I manage