Beside her sat a three–year–old boy in casual wear, radiating quiet elegance despite his simple clothes.

The little one intently studied a financial newspaper.

On his other side sat Zoe, now in her fifties.

“It’s time. Jacob Ramirez, promise you’ll listen to Grandma Zoe?”

Maureen checked her watch, gently ruffling her son Jacob’s hair.

Jacob obediently closed the newspaper, discreetly covering the page about Geoffrey. “I will,” he stated seriously.

The little one was barely over three, yet acted like a little adult.

Maureen gazed at the child who bore a striking resemblance to Geoffrey, reluctantly hugging him: “Take good care of your brother too.”

Zoe patted her shoulder nearby.

“Go ahead. I’ll look after both little ones.”

Maureen nodded, dragging her luggage onto the flight bound for Karaville.

Inside the plane’s first–class cabin.

Maureen gazed at the clouds outside the window, her mind drifting back four years.

Back then, despairing and heartbroken, she’d sought Gareth’s help to fake her death and leave the country. Abroad, she’d given premature birth to twins.

Everything had gone smoothly until last March, when her younger son Ethan Ramirez–already frail from premature birth–was diagnosed with a malignant clonal disease of hematopoietic stem cells, commonly known as leukemia.

Doctors told Maureen that umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants could treat blood disorders.

For months, she’d tried obtaining Geoffrey’s sperm through intermediaries.

All attempts failed.

With time critical for treatment, Maureen had to return herself to get it!

for little Ethan, she’d never set foot in that place again, nor ever

takeoff, Maureen’s friend Katherine White texted: “Swamped lately. Wait till I’m back to help deal with Geof- frey and

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in college, had pursued further studies abroad while Maureen married, causing them

years ago, they’d coincidentally reunited in

Maureen felt warmth spread

Karaville.

Summer brought relentless downpours.

her eyes dazed as she gazed at the

the airport, a luxurious Lincoln pulled up promptly

stepped out and opened the

Maureen nodded. “Thank you.”

warm smile. “No need

accommodations for you

“Mr. Burke” he referred to was

sought Gareth’s help four years ago, she’d never have known his self–deprecating

his connections spanning both sides of the law–without which

car, Maureen

remained largely unchanged after four years, save for

years had seen Andrea’s meteoric rise–not just as a singer, but as

striking eyes turned

An hour later.

stopped inside a villa area called “Beverly Hills

quiet, and even at night, one could see

contacted Zoe and the others to report

“Zoe, where’s Jacob?”

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see Jacob and found

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