Mary was on the cusp of her 80th birthday, a milestone that seemed both monumental and just another day in her long life of ups and downs.

She had lived through storms and even stirred up a few herself.

Reaching this age, she was as crafty and sharp as they come.

Mary had a knack for playing her family like a chessboard, always staying several moves ahead.

From manipulating the press to force Maddox and Jennifer to adopt Leanne, to orchestrating moral dilemmas that led to Leanne's marriage to Curtis, Mary was always in control.

and blood, it was Leanne, the adopted granddaughter from outside the family, who was her greatest weakness and

Curtis with her usual mix of stubbornness and evasion, but in front of Leanne, she often found herself at

to Leanne with a warmth that belied her usual demeanor. "How was your day out? Did Curtis feed you too much? Your face looks all plump and cute. Come here,

however, pulled away, leaving Mary's outstretched hand hanging and

back tears, Leanne confronted her, "What really happened to my

"Darling, let's not talk about that. Can't things go back to how they were, with me doting on

harsh word could ever be. As she

hand," she choked out. "The man who kidnapped us... I never forgot the mark on his hand. Hanley was the one who killed my parents,

standing, finally collapsed onto the couch. The truth hovered

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