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00:00I found out I was pregnant with twins.
00:03That same day, I was about to tell my husband when I overheard him talking to his father in the
00:06next room.
00:07I don't have feelings for Vivian.
00:09I'm not gonna have kids with her.
00:11I only married her because you and mom approved of her.
00:15I kept the pregnancy to myself.
00:17Then I handed him divorce papers and left the country alone.
00:20He assumed our arrangement had simply run its course.
00:23He didn't try to stop me.
00:25Four years later, I came home to New York with the twins to visit my grandfather.
00:30Who had fallen seriously ill.
00:32An old friend of Cassian's named Quinn spotted me the moment I arrived at the hospital.
00:37Cassian had spent four years trying to track me down.
00:40Quinn called him.
00:43Cassian was in the middle of a board meeting.
00:46Vivian is back in New York. She's visiting old Mr. Morgan.
00:53He ended it on the spot and left.
00:58Old Mr. Morgan.
00:59I gave the front desk my grandfather's name and found the room without any trouble.
01:05He knocked.
01:06A warm voice came from inside.
01:09Cassian's heart was pounding.
01:11Come in.
01:13I thought it was a nurse.
01:14I wasn't expecting the man who walked through that door.
01:18My lips parted.
01:19How is he here?
01:21It had been four years.
01:22He looked exactly the same.
01:23Cassian smiled and walked in.
01:25Mr. Morgan, I heard you weren't feeling well. I came as soon as I could.
01:29He looked at Cassian warmly.
01:31Cassian.
01:32Good of you to come.
01:34Sit down, sit down.
01:35There was only one sofa in the room.
01:37I was already sitting on one side.
01:39He turned his head and looked at me with an easy smile.
01:43Viv.
01:44It's been a while.
01:47I pressed my palm against my knee and managed a small smile.
01:51Yeah.
01:52It has.
01:53Cassian kept talking with my grandfather.
01:55You were bad.
01:55But his eyes kept drifting back to me.
01:57My grandfather watched him carefully.
02:00After about 40 minutes, Cassian stood to leave.
02:02My grandfather looked at me.
02:04Viv, walk Castle down, would you?
02:06I didn't want to.
02:07But I walked out with him anyway.
02:09We moved down the corridor side by side.
02:11These past few years, have you been okay?
02:16Pretty good.
02:17You?
02:18He smiled.
02:19Same as always.
02:20That wasn't true.
02:22It took him a few months after the divorce to understand how much he loves me.
02:26By then, I was already gone.
02:27He'd spend every day thinking about me.
02:29I stood on the sidewalk with a polite smile as Cassian opened the car door.
02:33Thank you for coming to see my grandfather today.
02:35It means a lot.
02:35Don't mention it.
02:36If you ever need anything, call me.
02:38Even just as a friend.
02:39I nodded and turned back toward the hospital entrance.
02:42That is when Sebastian came through a side door with the kids.
02:44My son and daughter.
02:45Both of them toddling toward me on short legs.
02:48I scooped one up in each arm and kept walking.
02:52Cassian's car hadn't moved.
02:53He leaned forward, the window tint clearing.
02:56I saw a man with two small children.
02:58All three of them gravitating straight to me.
03:00Something in his chest tore open.
03:03Office.
03:04The car pulled away.
03:07He stayed at the office until almost nine.
03:10Work was the only thing that kept the images at bay.
03:13But the moment he closed his eyes that night, the scene outside the hospital replayed on a loop.
03:18She'd moved on.
03:19Married someone else.
03:20Built something real.
03:22She used to be my wife and I didn't take care of what I had.
03:28The desk lamp burned all night.
03:30At the time morning, light filtered through the curtains.
03:32He hadn't slept.
03:34He pressed his fingers to his temples, got up, showered.
03:37Drank two large black coffees and went back to work.
03:41Two weeks later, Grandpa was cleared to leave the hospital.
03:46My brother Alex and I arrived early that morning to bring him home.
03:50The car pulled through the gate of the Morgan estate and into the drive.
03:55Before it had fully stopped, the twins came running.
03:59Great-grandpad!
04:02He took one hand in each of his and beamed.
04:05There are my two.
04:07Did you miss me?
04:08Yes, great-grandpad!
04:15The house had always been quiet.
04:17Just the housekeeper and the staff.
04:19Now there were children's shoes by the door and crayon drawings on the hall table.
04:24And the rooms felt warmer than they had in years.
04:27That evening, after I got both kids down, I slipped out of their room.
04:31The housekeeper was waiting in the hallway.
04:35Miss Whitfield, your grandfather is asking for you in the study.
04:39I'll be right there.
04:43When I reached the second floor study, I found Grandpa and Alex already seated at the table by the window.
04:49Just several folders spread across the surface.
04:52Vivian, what happened?
04:54Henderson said you called me in a hurry.
04:56Well, looks like there was a misunderstanding.
04:59My dear, sit down. You look terrified.
05:02I greeted them both and settled into an empty chair.
05:04Alex, Vivian, I asked Henderson to bring you both up because I have something to say.
05:11Your mother was my only child. That makes you my only heirs.
05:14After this illness, I know I'm not what I was.
05:17You'll need to take responsibility for the family's business. Both of you.
05:22My chest tightened, watching him in the lamplight.
05:25Silver, haired, a little thinner than before.
05:28Grandpa, I'm still at Helios Corp.
05:30Helios Corp. was our father's company. Our father had built it from nothing.
05:34And for the past five or six years, Alex had worked there as a junior sales rep.
05:39Our father's explicit instruction.
05:43You'll run the company one day.
05:45You can't run something you don't understand from the ground up.
05:50So Alex stayed, year after year.
05:53His performance didn't matter.
05:55His father never mentioned a promotion.
05:58Alex, why do you still have any illusions about that man?
06:02If he had plans for you, he wouldn't keep you in the same entry-level role for six years.
06:07My own grandson, working as a glorified junior for half a decade.
06:11Does that make any sense to you?
06:13Grandpa, if I walk out now, won't those years be wasted?
06:19I understood both sides.
06:21Our father hadn't moved Alex despite having every opportunity to do so.
06:26That said enough about his intentions.
06:28But Alex wasn't wrong either.
06:30Their father was aging.
06:33Alex was still his only son and heir.
06:36I don't know what he's thinking.
06:39Vivian is a daughter.
06:41I understand he's biased.
06:43But you are his only son.
06:45Alex said nothing.
06:46None of us knew what our father was planning.
06:48Whatever it was, he seemed to be holding even his own son at arm's length.
06:53Viv, you've been back in New York a little while now.
06:55What are you thinking?
06:56Get the kids enrolled first.
06:58Then whatever you need from me, Grandpa.
07:00You spent the last few years abroad in gemology and jewelry design.
07:03You built a solid client base and private commissions over there.
07:06You know the industry well.
07:07I'd like you to take over Heron Jewelers.
07:10I kept my voice easy.
07:12Should I start at the bottom first?
07:13He laughed.
07:15I trust you completely.
07:16Even if you run the whole thing into the ground, consider it practice.
07:20Something warm moved through me.
07:22I'll give it everything I have.
07:24When we'd finished talking about me, Grandpa looked back at Alex.
07:27You're the Whitfield heir, but you're also mine.
07:30I'm still on my feet.
07:31I can carry this for a few more years.
07:33After that, I can't say.
07:34Alex said quietly,
07:35Give me one year, Grandpa.
07:37Whether or not I end up with Dad's company, I'll step into Morgan housings within a year.
07:41You'll be able to rest.
07:42Grandpa finally nodded.
07:45Good.
07:45One year.
07:50It's late.
07:51The three of us said goodnight.
07:56Goodnight, Grandpa.
07:58The penthouse on the 23rd floor of Riverside Tower.
08:01I hadn't been back in years.
08:03I'd kept the access code, but expected the biometric registry to have purged me long ago.
08:08I said my name.
08:09Vivian Whitfield.
08:10Then the voice print prompt.
08:12A soft tone.
08:13Waiting.
08:13A half second pause.
08:15The lock released.
08:16The real estate agent stepped in behind me.
08:18He looked around.
08:19Everything's been kept clean.
08:20You'd never know the place had been empty.
08:22I was still working that out when Mrs. Miller came in from the balcony holding a watering can.
08:26Her face opened into a bright smile.
08:28Mrs. Sterling.
08:29You're back.
08:31I winced.
08:32Mrs. Miller, we've been divorced.
08:34That isn't really appropriate anymore.
08:35She flushed.
08:36I'm so sorry, Miss Whitfield.
08:38Old habit.
08:41It's fine.
08:42But why are you here?
08:43I settled your wages the day I moved out.
08:45Mr. Sterling hired me to keep the place.
08:47So it would be ready whenever you came back.
08:50Something complicated moved through me.
08:52Cassian had never paid attention to things like this when we were married.
08:55And now, years after the divorce, he'd quietly arranged it all.
08:58If I said I felt nothing for Cassian, that would be a lie.
09:01But I'd heard it from his own mouth.
09:03I don't have feelings for Vivian.
09:05I'm not going to have kids with her.
09:06Whatever small thing had been growing in me back then, it died the moment those words did.
09:11The agent interrupted my thoughts.
09:13Miss Whitfield, is it all right if I take some photos?
09:16Of course.
09:17Go ahead.
09:17You're selling?
09:18It's just sitting here.
09:20Better to free up the capital.
09:22I read her expression without difficulty.
09:25Mrs. Miller, if nothing else comes up for you, would you consider coming to work at the Morgan House?
09:33She said immediately,
09:35I would love that.
09:36One condition.
09:38You cut contact with Cassiel.
09:40Completely.
09:41She tapped the slim band on her wrist without hesitation and swept it away in front of me.
09:46The agent finished his photos.
09:48I left with Mrs. Miller.
09:53When Mrs. Miller saw the twins back at the Morgan House, she understood immediately why I had insisted.
09:59She stared at the two of them, both unmistakably carrying Cassie and Sterling's features.
10:04The boy especially.
10:05His eyes.
10:05His nose.
10:06The set of his jaw.
10:07She'd watched me go through morning sickness right before the divorce.
10:10There was no question in her mind.
10:14Mrs. Miller?
10:16These two are your main responsibilities from now on.
10:18Go there.
10:19I introduced her to the kids.
10:23Mrs. Miller had worked as a nanny and infant caregiver for years.
10:27And it showed.
10:29Warm.
10:30Patient.
10:31Instinctively good with them.
10:32By the next morning, she was out in the garden with both of them on her own.
10:36I breathed out.
10:37That was one thing settled.
10:38Next, find a preschool and start preparing to take over Harrow Jewelers.
10:43A few weeks later, the whole household was gathered around the long dining table at lunch
10:47when the housekeeper came over quietly.
10:49Miss Whitfield, we've had several calls.
10:52And held out the house comm panel.
10:57I thanked him, stepped away from the table, and answered.
11:00Miss Whitfield, this is Selena from Northbridge Realty.
11:03Hi, Selena.
11:04What's going on?
11:05Someone came to view your listing this morning.
11:06They've already put down a deposit.
11:08I wanted to check your schedule for signing the transfer paperwork.
11:11The apartment was listed at $18 million.
11:13It had been on the market for one day.
11:16Already?
11:17I said.
11:17Selena laughed.
11:19I was surprised, too.
11:20He just had a quick look around and pulled out his card.
11:22Is he local?
11:23Sounds like it from his accent.
11:24But I didn't recognize him.
11:26Maybe I'm just bad with faces.
11:28I'll go there this afternoon.
11:30I didn't push further.
11:31I walked into the Northbridge Realty office.
11:34The buyer's face was familiar in a way I couldn't immediately place.
11:37I hadn't been to Cassian's company.
11:39I'd only crossed paths with this man once, at a formal dinner.
11:42I didn't know he was Cassian's executive assistant.
11:45Miss Whitfield, this is Mr. Joe.
11:48Miss Whitfield, good to meet you.
11:53Mr. Zhang, you barely looked at the place before agreeing to buy it.
11:58Are you sure about this?
12:01I'll refund the deposit if you've changed your mind.
12:04Selena looked vaguely alarmed.
12:06Sellers don't usually say things like that.
12:08I didn't care.
12:10He didn't look like the type to be spending $18 million of his own money.
12:13Mr. Joe appeared briefly surprised.
12:16Good eye, Miss Whitfield.
12:18I'm acting on behalf of my employer.
12:20He wanted a riverfront penthouse.
12:22I sent him the video this morning, and he approved it immediately.
12:26Who's your employer?
12:28New York isn't that big.
12:31I might know him.
12:32Joe Thoth.
12:33You definitely know him.
12:34Better than almost anyone.
12:35He's fairly private.
12:37Travels a lot for work.
12:39You probably haven't crossed paths.
12:40He smoothly redirected the conversation.
12:43Shall we get started on the paperwork?
12:44I let it go.
12:46We signed the transfer documents and wrapped up the sale.
12:51Back in his car afterward.
12:54Connecting to Kaeslin.
12:55Over the following weeks, I visited schools.
12:59Sat through tours.
13:00And reviewed application packets.
13:03The morning the acceptance letter arrived.
13:04I felt nothing but quiet satisfaction.
13:06My kids were sharp, well-mannered, and curious.
13:09Of course they got in.
13:10After breakfast, I took them to the mall to pick up a few things.
13:14They were coming out of a store when I spotted her.
13:17My stepmother, Diana, moving down the gallery on the far side in a loose silk dress.
13:22I turned us around immediately and started walking the other way.
13:26Diana had already seen me.
13:36I kept moving and didn't answer.
13:39She had two faces.
13:41Around my father, she was gentle and soft-spoken.
13:44Around my brother and me, she was something else entirely.
13:47Sharp-tongued.
13:48Pointed.
13:49Never missing a chance to remind us where we stood.
13:53Vivian Whitfield!
13:54You and your little two bastards!
13:56Stop right there!
13:57I stopped.
13:58I let go of the kids' hands.
14:00Told them to stay where they were.
14:01Walked back to Diana.
14:03And slapped her across the face.
14:05She screamed.
14:06Her hand flew to her cheek.
14:08You have no manners whatsoever.
14:10Hitting your own stepmother?
14:12That's disgusting!
14:14I met her eyes without flinching.
14:15You called my children that name.
14:17You earned it.
14:18I looked her over slowly.
14:21Don't talk about illegitimate children when you're pregnant with one.
14:24Something flickered in Diana's face.
14:26A flash of guilt she couldn't quite cover.
14:29Don't you dare make things up!
14:31I smiled, turned, and walked away.
14:33She was wearing that loose dress for a reason.
14:36The small, careful curve I'd noticed under the fabric.
14:38I filed it away.
14:40It explained everything.
14:41Why our father had kept Alex in that entry-level job for six years.
14:45He was waiting to see what came next.
14:49That evening, at the rooftop suite of a bar downtown,
14:53Cassian stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows in a black shirt and trousers.
14:57A whiskey glass in one hand.
14:59His back was to the room.
15:00He looked like he was watching the city, but he wasn't really seeing it.
15:05Quinn and Marcus pushed through the door.
15:07They took one look at him and both went quiet for a moment.
15:10I heard Vivian's back in New York.
15:12Why do you still look like someone ran over your dog?
15:14Quinn had tried to cut him off.
15:16He hadn't been fast enough.
15:19Cassian turned and looked at them without saying anything.
15:22He went to the bar, picked up the bottle, and poured himself another measure.
15:27Quinn shook his head slowly.
15:28He is in bad shape.
15:30His voice came out rough.
15:31She's married.
15:33Two kids.
15:34I know it's hard, but she's moved on.
15:37Maybe it's time you did too.
15:38Marcus nodded.
15:39She's remarried.
15:40She has a family.
15:41What can you do?
15:44Stop putting yourself through this.
15:46Let her go.
15:51You two have never had your heart.
15:52You're broken.
15:54You don't know what this is like.
15:56Four years of nothing, and I still couldn't let go.
15:59Now she's right here in the same city.
16:03It's worse, not better.
16:04So what are you going to do?
16:06Cassian looked down.
16:07A strand of hair fell across his forehead.
16:09He didn't answer for a long time.
16:11He picked up his glass and finished it.
16:13He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew this.
16:17If he couldn't have her back, he wouldn't marry anyone else.
16:21Quinn and Marcus gave up trying to comfort him.
16:23They just drank with him instead.
16:25Cassian got very drunk that night.
16:27He dreamed.
16:28In his dream.
16:29The system found a scene and pulled him through it.
16:31Like to four years ago.
16:33The way a memory reconstruction feels when it runs too clean.
16:36Edges too sharp.
16:37Silence too complete.
16:39He was drunk that night.
16:41Reckless.
16:42Exhausted.
16:43Lonely.
16:45She tasted like wine in winter air when he kissed her.
16:49Later.
16:49In the pale glow of the bedside lamp, he noticed the small crimson stain against the white sheets.
16:55He remembered staring at it for a long time.
16:57For a moment, she had looked unbearably beautiful.
17:04Morning at the Morgan estate, I came downstairs with the twins to find Grandpa already at the
17:09head of the table.
17:10The kids climbed into their seats and looked at him expectantly.
17:13Mango pudding and a slice of chocolate cake appeared on their plates, and both children
17:17lit up.
17:17Grandpa had quietly hired a pastry chef just for them.
17:20We were midway through breakfast when a loud bang came from outside.
17:23The housekeeper quickly picked up the intercom.
17:25A moment later...
17:26Mr. Morgan, your son-in-law is here.
17:29He drove through the front gate.
17:32Grandpa stood up.
17:35His voice was composed and cold.
17:38I'd like to see what he thinks he's doing.
17:41I told Mrs. Miller to keep the kids at the table and followed my grandfather outside.
17:46My father was standing in the drive.
17:48When he saw Grandpa, he straightened up, and then he saw me, and whatever composure he'd
17:53managed collapsed back into fury.
17:56Mr. Morgan, ask your granddaughter what she did to my wife.
17:58My grandfather's jaw tightened.
18:01I told my grandfather exactly what had happened.
18:04She called my great-grandchildren that word first.
18:08In my view, one slap was lenient.
18:11If you come into my house and speak about Vivian's children that way again, I will have you removed.
18:21My father turned red.
18:24Mr. Morgan, you're only hearing one side of this.
18:27I know my wife.
18:28She would never use language like that.
18:32I smiled faintly.
18:36He'd known Diana for less than ten years, and was certain he understood her.
18:42He'd known me my entire life, and had no interest in taking my word for anything.
18:49Vivian.
18:51Apologize to your stepmother!
18:52On your knees!
18:54I looked at him steadily.
18:56Who exactly do you think you're talking to?
18:59I'm your father!
19:02You stopped being my father the day you threw me out of that house.
19:07As far as I'm concerned, we don't have that relationship anymore.
19:10He stepped toward me.
19:12Blood doesn't just disappear because you say it does.
19:15Get on your knees and apologize!
19:19Someone come and remove these two from my property.
19:24Eight security staff came around the corner.
19:27Diana, who had been quiet until that moment,
19:29pressed a hand to her stomach, and said faintly,
19:32Darling, I'm not feeling well.
19:34My father went still.
19:35He looked at the security staff, then at Diana,
19:38and the fight seemed to drain out of him.
19:41He helped her to a bench near the garden wall.
19:44Nobody moved.
19:45Grandpa watched all of this with perfectly level contempt.
19:48If you won't leave, I'll call the police.
19:51You drove a car through my front gate.
19:53That's criminal trespass.
19:54I'd be happy to let that play-avert play out however it needs to.
19:58My father's face cycled through several expressions.
20:01Diana, reading him perfectly.
20:03I'm tired.
20:04I'd like to go home.
20:11He helped her to the car.
20:13As they were pulling out, my grandfather called after him pleasantly.
20:18The repair bill for the gate.
20:20I'll have my assistant send you the bill later.
20:25We went inside.
20:26I took Grandpa's arm and walked with him to the sitting room,
20:29and we both took a breath.
20:31He's becoming more embarrassing by the day.
20:35Don't let him get to you.
20:37He's not worth it.
20:37I knew who my father was.
20:39I'd always known.
20:41To him, I was a chip to play.
20:43A name to trade.
20:44When I stopped being useful,
20:47he let me go without a second thought.
20:49We settled onto the sofa together.
20:52After a moment, Grandpa said,
20:56He's always resented me.
20:58I didn't know there was anything between you.
21:01A few years before you came back,
21:03Helios Corp hit a cash crisis.
21:05He came to me, asked me to bail him out.
21:08I said no.
21:09Your mother made me promise,
21:11years will figure it out eventually.
21:13I was never to put money into his company again.
21:15Something shifted in my chest.
21:17I blamed you for that, for a while.
21:20When the money ran out,
21:21the only option left was to marry into the Sterling family.
21:24That was how I ended up with Cassian.
21:26Five hundred million dollars that kept Helios Corp from going under.
21:30I didn't know he arranged that marriage.
21:32I would never have allowed it.
21:34Grandpa.
21:35I've made my peace with all of it.
21:38Without Cassian, I wouldn't have my two kids.
21:40And you were right not to keep bailing him out.
21:43People have to learn to stand on their own.
21:50You've changed a great deal.
21:53You think differently now.
21:56I became a mother.
21:58It changes how you see everything.
22:00The children look like Cassian.
22:03The Sterling family will figure it out eventually.
22:07What will you do when they do?
22:11I'll deal with it when it comes.
22:13If they want to fight me for custody, I'll fight back.
22:15I just hope it's later rather than sooner.
22:22As it turned out, I didn't have to wait long.
22:27We'd barely finished the conversation when the housekeeper appeared at the door.
22:31Show her in.
22:34I moved quickly.
22:38Mrs. Miller, take the kids to the back garden, please.
22:41Lily Sterling.
22:42I hadn't seen her in years.
22:43She came in wearing a pale linen jacket.
22:46Easy smile, still exactly the same.
22:48She handed a gift bag to the housekeeper.
22:51Viv, I heard you were back.
22:53I had to come see you.
22:54Come inside.
22:56I met her at the entrance hall.
22:58And we walked in together.
22:59In the sitting room, she greeted my grandfather warmly.
23:02And he told her to sit, sit, with his usual generosity.
23:07Grandpa excused himself to the study.
23:09Without him in the room, Lily relaxed.
23:11We traded news, caught up on the small things.
23:14Then, without quite meaning to, she ended up talking about her brother.
23:19My brother has become such a workaholic.
23:24My brother has become such a workaholic.
23:27He's at the office until midnight half the time.
23:30He has more money than he could ever spend, and he just keeps making more.
23:35Why does he bother?
23:36I turned my teacup in my hands.
23:38He was always like that.
23:41It feels different now.
23:43It's like, outside of work, nothing interests him.
23:47And the insomnia.
23:49His doctor can't find anything physiologically wrong.
23:53I didn't say anything.
23:56Lily had a lunch plan.
23:58I walked her out through the garden.
24:00And that was when we heard the kids.
24:02My grandfather kept birds, including a pair of peacocks.
24:06And both children were completely obsessed with them.
24:09Lily slowed down.
24:10Are those children's voices?
24:14She followed the sound and found them before I could redirect her.
24:18My son and daughter, three and a half years old, crouching near the peacock enclosure.
24:23She went very still.
24:25I waved at the kids.
24:26They trotted over.
24:28Say hello.
24:31Hello.
24:32You're both so sweet.
24:34You can call me Lily.
24:36Where's their father?
24:38Um, don't you have lunch?
24:40Walk with me.
24:42As we made our way to the drive, I said.
24:44Their father is still overseas.
24:45He has things he can't step away from right now.
24:48My grandfather's been unwell, so I brought the kids and came ahead.
24:53She'd heard what I said.
24:54I see.
24:56But those faces were still in her mind, and she wasn't convinced.
25:00That afternoon, she went back to her cafe to work.
25:03By the time evening came, she was driving home to the Sterling house.
25:09She walked in past the main parlor, where a number of well-dressed women were gathered.
25:13Music playing faintly.
25:15Is there some kind of event happening tonight?
25:18Mrs. Sterling has invited several eligible young women for a dinner party.
25:23Should be interesting.
25:26She found a quiet corner, settled in with a glass of red wine, and looked around for her brother.
25:31She overheard a cluster of women nearby.
25:34They'd said they were basically there for show.
25:36That with Victoria in the picture, the rest of them were just taking up space.
25:41Two of them had already drifted over to watch.
25:44Lily rolled her eyes.
25:45Her brother didn't want Victoria.
25:48He didn't want anyone.
25:50He just wanted to work.
25:58Lily waited all evening.
26:05Lily, when did you get back?
26:07A little while ago.
26:09Walk with me.
26:10I have something to tell you.
26:12She asked him on the way up,
26:14Are you actually planning to pick one of those women?
26:17Of course not.
26:18Then why show up?
26:20Mom gave me a choice.
26:22Come to the dinner, or meet them one-on-one.
26:25The dinner seemed like the lesser catastrophe.
26:27Then she remembered.
26:28She's trying the same thing with me, by the way.
26:36What did you want to tell me?
26:37I went to see the Morgans this morning.
26:40And?
26:41She drew out the paws.
26:43How is she?
26:45She's fine.
26:46She has two kids.
26:48Very sweet.
26:49Very cute.
26:51You saw them?
26:52I did.
26:54Cass.
26:55Those children look like you.
26:57Especially the boy.
26:59The eyes, the nose.
27:00I'm not exaggerating.
27:02You're serious?
27:03You're not messing with me?
27:06I'm completely serious.
27:08Why would I make that up?
27:11Do you think, when she filed for divorce,
27:13could she have already been pregnant?
27:15I don't know.
27:16That part's between you two.
27:18He thought back.
27:19He hadn't been careful.
27:20If she hadn't taken anything the next morning,
27:22it was entirely possible.
27:24And the timing worked.
27:26If she'd gotten pregnant then,
27:28the children would be about the right age.
27:30You'd only seen one of them across the hospital parking lot.
27:33He hadn't been able to make out their faces clearly.
27:35Lily asked quietly,
27:37If they are yours, what do you do?
27:39Without hesitating.
27:40Bring them home.
27:41He added silently.
27:42And their mother.
27:43Lily looked uncertain.
27:44I asked Viv about the father.
27:46She said he was abroad.
27:48Do you think she could actually have married someone else?
27:50Like, married them while she was pregnant with yours?
27:52I don't know.
27:54He said.
27:55Lily touched his shoulder.
27:57It's late.
27:58Sleep on it.
27:59Don't go charging over there before you're ready.
28:01Yeah.
28:02He nodded.
28:03You too.
28:04He went to his room,
28:06raised his wrist,
28:07and spoke the name aloud.
28:08Assistant.
28:09The call opened in the air beside his face, voice only.
28:13I need the AI to build a profile on Vivian Whitfield.
28:17Who she came back with.
28:19Anyone she might be involved with.
28:21Cross-reference port logs.
28:23Residency data.
28:24Civil registry.
28:25Full sweep.
28:29Three days later, the compiled file arrived through the encrypted channel.
28:34Cassian opened it on the wall panel and read it through twice,
28:37and something in his chest that had been clenched for four years slowly let go.
28:42The AI had pulled her travel records, port logs, and residential registry from Manchester.
28:48She'd been living abroad alone with the children she hadn't remarried.
28:52As long as that was true, there was still something to work with.
28:55He went to the Morgan house to find her.
28:58She was in the dance studio with their daughter.
29:01A small figure in a white ballet skirt stood at the bear beside her mother,
29:05and the two of them moved in front of the mirror in perfect synchrony.
29:10Graceful, unhurried, beautiful.
29:12Cassian stood in the doorway and didn't make a sound.
29:15He didn't want to break it.
29:17When the music stopped, he noticed the boy for the first time.
29:21His chest tightened.
29:24Vivian straightened up from toweling off her daughter's face and saw him in the doorway.
29:29The boy got there first.
29:31He walked straight up to Cassian and looked up at him with frank curiosity.
29:34Who are you?
29:36Cassian had absolutely no idea how to answer that.
29:39Vivian came over and touched her son's shoulder.
29:41Julian Rain, this is Mr. Sterling.
29:45Hi, Mr. Sterling.
29:48Something bitter and sad moved through him.
29:54Vivian sent them off with Mrs. Miller for water and a change of clothes.
29:58Then she led Cassian up to the third floor sitting room,
30:01and they took seats on opposite sides of the low table.
30:05She looked at him with a calm, direct expression.
30:08What brings you to the Morgan house?
30:09You're smart, Viv. You already know.
30:11She picked up her teacup and set it back down.
30:13If it's business, you should speak with my grandfather.
30:16It's not business.
30:17His eyes stayed on her face.
30:18I want to talk about the children.
30:22They're mine, aren't they?
30:23She kept her voice even.
30:24They're mine.
30:26They don't have anything to do with you.
30:27Then explain why they look exactly like me.
30:30Children take after their parents.
30:32Their father happens to have similar features to yours.
30:35The corner of his mouth curved slightly.
30:37His voice was almost gentle.
30:39Similar features.
30:42Viv, you've gotten very good at lying with a straight face.
30:45Tell me, who is their father then?
30:47She sat up straight.
30:51After the divorce, I met someone abroad.
30:53We were together a few months.
30:55It didn't work out.
30:57He studied her.
30:57I had the children and raised them on my own.
30:59Anyone else might have believed it.
31:01He didn't.
31:01Then let's run a quantum gene trace.
31:03The results don't lie.
31:04She looked down at her tea.
31:06The room was quiet.
31:07After a moment, he said,
31:08You won't agree to it?
31:09She let out a breath.
31:12Fine.
31:14If that's what you want.
31:18Julian slid off his chair,
31:20crept up to the third floor door.
31:21The door was solid and gave nothing away.
31:23He waited several minutes,
31:24then gave up,
31:25retrieved a book from the study,
31:26and went back to his room.
31:28Did you hear anything?
31:29Is he our dad?
31:30No, I couldn't hear.
31:32Rain pressed close to him,
31:33whispering.
31:33I thought maybe he was.
31:35Since the day I told them their father was alive,
31:37that he hadn't died,
31:38both children had quietly been waiting.
31:40When Cassian walked in,
31:41something in both of them had responded to him
31:43in a way they couldn't explain.
31:45They'd only just met him,
31:46but there was a pole there.
31:48A familiarity they didn't have words for yet.
31:50Julian looked at his sister.
31:51Do you like him, Mr. Sterling?
31:53She nodded.
31:54Do you like him more than Sebastian?
31:57Mr. Sterling is really handsome,
31:59but I think I like Sebastian more.
32:01Outside the door,
32:02Sebastian stopped walking.
32:04He waited.
32:05Julian!
32:06Rain!
32:08He felt something in him go soft.
32:10Guess what I brought.
32:12A pink plush bear for Rain.
32:15Rain clutched the bear immediately.
32:16A new architecture set for Han.
32:18Han ripped open the architecture set
32:20and started building without waiting.
32:25When Cassian and I came downstairs,
32:27we found Sebastian cross-legged on the floor in the middle of it all.
32:31I cleared my throat.
32:32All three looked up.
32:34Time to practice piano.
32:36The kids put down their toys.
32:38Cassian and Sebastian were left alone in the sitting room in an atmosphere that was not particularly comfortable.
32:43Then the piano began.
32:45Cassian stood up and followed the sound.
32:48Sebastian followed Cassian.
32:50Rain was at the grand piano,
32:51posture perfect,
32:52eyes on the sheet music,
32:54playing with startling precision for her age.
32:56I stood beside Han near the window,
32:58both of us listening.
33:00When she finished,
33:01a few notes were off.
33:02Here,
33:03this section builds.
33:04Feel the swell of it.
33:06I played it through for her once.
33:09I understand, Mama.
33:12She played it again.
33:14The evening light came through the tall windows and fell across my face.
33:18I was entirely focused on her.
33:20Cassian's heartbeat was loud in his own ears.
33:24My grandfather came home from the office to find both of them still there.
33:28He paused,
33:29took it in,
33:30and quietly told the housekeeper to set two extra places.
33:33At dinner,
33:35Grandpa sat at the head of the table.
33:38Cassian and Sebastian were on either side of him.
33:41I chose the seat beside Sebastian.
33:45Help yourselves.
33:46Don't stand on ceremony.
33:50Everything smells incredible.
33:51You remembered exactly what I like.
33:53The housekeeper bowed slightly.
33:56Sebastian felt the dynamics and did not enjoy them.
33:59Grandpa and Cassian fell into conversation about industry.
34:03Sebastian's family was in tech.
34:05He said nothing and tried not to look uncomfortable.
34:08I picked up the serving spoon and added a piece of fish to Sebastian's plate.
34:12This one's fresh.
34:14Try it.
34:14He thanked me and shot a sideways look at Cassian.
34:17Cassian smiled faintly.
34:19He served a shrimp onto my plate.
34:22Already peeled.
34:26The shell can scratch.
34:27Let me.
34:28Thank you, but you're a guest.
34:30I can manage.
34:31He remembered.
34:31I used to do this for him.
34:33He'd never done it for anyone.
34:35He was never the one who reached.
34:36Something about seeing him do it now felt strange.
34:39Cassian kept going.
34:41Sebastian started piling everything within reach onto my plate.
34:44My food stacked up faster than I could eat it.
34:47I can't fit anymore.
34:49Please stop.
34:54My grandfather watched all of this with quiet, amused eyes.
34:57Cassian got home after 10.
34:59The living room was still lit.
35:00His father looked up from the sofa.
35:02We were waiting for you.
35:04This late?
35:05What's going on?
35:06We wanted to ask you about the children.
35:08Why didn't you tell us?
35:10Lily told us.
35:11You kept this from us?
35:12He stayed calm.
35:13I wasn't trying to hide it.
35:15I wanted to wait until I was certain.
35:17Lily says they look just like you.
35:19That makes it very likely.
35:20He'd been certain the moment he saw them.
35:23Let's wait for the test results.
35:25Then we'll figure out next steps with Viviana.
35:27What test?
35:28You don't need a test.
35:30If Vivian says they're yours, they're yours.
35:32I trust her.
35:33She's the one who said they aren't mine.
35:35That's why I'm running the test.
35:36If you hadn't filed those papers in the first place, she wouldn't have left.
35:39Give me back my daughter-in-law.
35:41Give me back my grandchildren.
35:45Give me back who my grandchildren?
35:48Sophia, your hand.
35:52Cassian raised an eyebrow.
35:53Forty years and still going.
35:55His father looked at him.
35:56When is the test?
35:57Tomorrow.
35:58I already have what I need.
35:59A cellular swab.
36:00The kind that fed directly into a quantum locust reader.
36:03His father nodded.
36:04Take it yourself.
36:05His mother composed herself, then looked at him with soft, eager eyes.
36:08Do you have a photo?
36:10The children building in their room, practicing at the piano, chasing each other across the garden lawn.
36:15She was simply overwhelmingly happy.
36:16They look exactly like you did at that age.
36:18Those are my grandchildren.
36:20I know it.
36:21His father was already telling the housekeeper to prepare two of the larger guest rooms.
36:25The following evening, the Morgan House sitting room, my brother Alex and my grandfather sat on the sofa, a news
36:30program playing on the television that neither of them was watching.
36:32The quantum gene trace results were due tonight.
36:35I came downstairs quietly and settled beside Alex.
36:37Both asleep?
36:38He said.
36:39They wore themselves out this afternoon.
36:42Knocked out halfway through the second story.
36:44Grandpa sighed gently.
36:45The results should be ready by now, Viv.
36:47I kept my voice light.
36:49Not much suspense in it.
36:53I took out the comm panel.
36:55I opened the secure message channel.
36:57The result was there.
36:59I scrolled down.
37:00Read it.
37:01I went very still.
37:02The tested individuals do not share a biological relationship.
37:05I had been with one person, exactly one, in my entire adult life.
37:11These children could not be anyone else's.
37:13And yet, Alex saw my face and reached for the panel.
37:18He read it.
37:20He looked up at me.
37:22Grandpa leaned forward.
37:23What is it?
37:24He put on his reading glasses and leaned over the panel.
37:27His lips moved slightly.
37:29How can this be?
37:30I steadied myself.
37:32Grandpa.
37:33This is good news.
37:35Someone is looking out for us.
37:39The results say the children aren't Cassiel's, which means he has no legal grounds to pursue custody.
37:46That's the best possible outcome for me.
37:49I just hope it holds up for as long as possible.
37:52Once the Sterlings get involved, everything gets complicated again.
38:01I messaged Sebastian that night.
38:04Three words.
38:05Meet me tomorrow.
38:06He was already there when I arrived.
38:11You tampered with it.
38:13He didn't deny it.
38:15I have someone at the processing note.
38:17It took one override command.
38:21That's not your decision.
38:23You didn't want the fallout.
38:25I didn't want you to have it.
38:32If he runs another trace, you can't stop it.
38:37I can push the same override through the second node, too.
38:40Don't.
38:41Don't do that again.
38:44Then what do you want?
38:48To figure it out myself.
38:50Across the city, Cassian read the report twice.
38:54Set it down.
38:56Looked at the skyline.
38:57He thought about Julian's eyes.
38:59The way the boy had walked up to him without hesitation.
39:02Like he already knew.
39:04He touched the wall panel.
39:06Get me Dr. Reeves, the genomics specialist.
39:09Then he sat back and thought.
39:10Someone overwrote the locust data at the processing note.
39:13The question is who?
39:14His mother's call came through three times that evening on the wrist comm.
39:22On the third.
39:24The results came back.
39:26I know.
39:29Caspian.
39:31Those children.
39:32Mom.
39:33Let me handle it.
39:36You don't believe it either.
39:38He didn't answer.
39:39He didn't need to.
39:4042 floors below.
39:41New York glittered.
39:42Indifferent.
39:42He opened his contacts.
39:44Scrolled to her name.
39:46He didn't call.
39:47Not yet.
39:48But he was already moving.
39:50Sophia Sterling.
39:51Her husband read the report standing up.
39:53It could be wrong.
39:54It is wrong.
39:55I've looked at those children.
39:56I'm running a second trace.
39:58Isolated quantum chain.
39:59No shared nodes with the first lab.
40:01No lawyers.
40:01No contact with Viviana from either of you.
40:03His mother opened her mouth.
40:04Mom.
40:04He looked at her.
40:05I mean it.
40:06Two days later, he arrived at the Morgan House.
40:08The Meridian Expansion.
40:09A project they genuinely needed to discuss.
40:12Vivian was not delighted.
40:13Halfway through the meeting.
40:14You're here again.
40:15I am.
40:16Do you want to see my chess set?
40:18The pieces are marble.
40:22Cassian glanced at Grandpa, who waved a hand.
40:25He followed Julian down the hallway without looking back.
40:28I watched them go and told myself not to feel anything about it.
40:31The chess game lasted 45 minutes.
40:38At the door, I said.
40:40You could have sent someone for the Meridian meeting.
40:42I could have.
40:43He looked at me steadily.
40:44He left.
40:44I stood in the cold doorway after his car had gone.
40:46He is going to run another trace, I thought.
40:48And there is nothing I can do to stop him.
40:50I went back inside.
40:52Four days later, a message came through.
40:54Would Julian want a rematch?
40:56I showed it to Julian, who said yes before I'd finished reading it aloud.
40:59I lasted 10 minutes in the doorway before making myself leave.
41:01Upstairs, I opened the Harrow Quarterly's and read the same paragraph four times.
41:05When I came back down, Cassian was leaning forward.
41:08Julian was watching him with the patience of someone who had already seen the next three moves.
41:12You left it open.
41:13You were thinking about the Queen, but you forgot this side.
41:16Good game.
41:17You're better than last time.
41:18You just need to think further ahead.
41:43Sir, where to?
41:58The Whitefield Foundation Gala.
42:01Next Thursday.
42:02Two seats.
42:03Come with me.
42:03It's not a date.
42:06It's not a date.
42:08It'll benefit the Harrow's.
42:11Fine, I'll come.
42:13But in my own car.
42:15At dinner, I mentioned it.
42:18Sebastian invited me to the Whitefield Foundation Gala.
42:21Alex looked at his plate with careful neutrality.
42:24Say it.
42:26Sebastian's a good man.
42:28Be honest with him about where things stand.
42:30Things don't stand anywhere yet.
42:33That's my point.
42:35Grandpa refilled his tea and said nothing.
42:41The gala was everything Sebastian promised.
42:44Good champagne.
42:45The right crowd.
42:46Three conversations that could open real doors.
42:49He was easy company.
42:50Present when it mattered.
42:52Invisible when it didn't.
42:53By nine, I was glad I'd come.
42:56Then I saw Cassian across the room.
42:59Sebastian followed my line of sight.
43:01He was always going to be here.
43:03I know.
43:05Viv, is there anything left?
43:07For you, not him.
43:09You?
43:10Sebastian deserved a real answer.
43:13I gave him one.
43:15I don't know yet.
43:16He nodded slowly.
43:17Okay, I'd rather know than not.
43:19Across the room, Cassian turned his head and found me without searching.
43:22Two seconds, then back to his conversation.
43:26Sebastian handed me a fresh glass.
43:29There's someone from the auction house you should meet.
43:34I followed him.
43:37I felt those two seconds for the rest of the night.
43:43Five days before the results, Cassian appeared with a chess book for Julian.
43:46No business reason, just the book, set on the hall table.
43:49Julian materialized in 30 seconds and said, come on, and that was that.
43:53He came back the next day with a contract amendment.
43:5540 minutes of business, then another hour with Julian.
43:58The day after, no reason at all.
44:00Just a message.
44:01Is Julian home?
44:02I replied, yes.
44:04He arrived 20 minutes later.
44:05I didn't stop him.
44:08I told myself it was because the children deserved to know their father.
44:11That was true.
44:12It was also true that I'd started listening to his car in the drive without meaning to.
44:17On the fourth day, I was in the garden with Rain when he came around the side of the house.
44:21Rain held out her hand toward him.
44:23Shh, you can look, but be quiet.
44:25He's nervous.
44:26Cassian crouched to her level.
44:28What's his name?
44:29Rain considered.
44:30Gerald.
44:31Good name.
44:32I watched Cassian watch my daughter and thought, the results are coming.
44:35Things are already different from a week ago.
44:37I didn't know yet if that was good.
44:43Dad reached out through his lawyer.
44:45Alex called Tuesday.
44:46Helios is in trouble.
44:47I already knew there'd been a piece in the financial press two weeks ago.
44:50Vague but readable.
44:52Overleveraged.
44:52Bad deals were made without the board.
44:55How bad?
44:56Bad enough that he's calling us.
44:57Another pause.
44:59Diana lost the baby.
45:00Early, but still.
45:01Wait.
45:02We met at the diner near his office.
45:04Corner booth.
45:05Bad lighting.
45:05Good pie.
45:06We'd been meeting here since college.
45:08The kind of place where you could say things out loud.
45:10I'm not asking grandpa to bail him out.
45:12I know.
45:13He made his choices.
45:14I know that too.
45:15But if Helios goes under, people downstream lose everything.
45:19People who had nothing to do with his decisions.
45:22There's a difference between helping him and helping them.
45:25I won't do one.
45:26I might do the other.
45:29That's very fair of you.
45:30It's just the line I can live with.
45:32Neither of us called our father back that day.
45:34But we both knew we would.
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