When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel)

Wren's arms suddenly felt weightless, and he froze where he stood.

"Luke, Gabe, I'm Grandpa."

Reaching toward Gabriel, he found the boy darting away, unwilling to be held.

Elena's voice turned icy and mocking. "You barely spared them a glance all these years, and now you think you can just pick them up? To them, you're a stranger."

Crouching, Wren found himself unable to refute a single word.

He clenched his fists. "I'm a man. How was I supposed to look after two toddlers?"

"Oh, so a woman automatically should?" Elena's cold laugh cut the air. "You refused to care for the children, but did you ever fulfill a father's duty? Nathaniel and Nicholas—who raised them? And the Rainsworth Group-if I hadn't juggled the crises, it would have gone under long ago."

Seeing the quarrel spiraling, Wren hurried to change the subject.

"Enough. Let's stop." He heaved a long, weary sigh. "I'll call the children home myself. If you want to join us, fine."

With that, Wren turned and walked away.

Elena, no longer angry, decided to drop everything and let Wren handle the mess on his own.

quarters, Wren first

hadn't visited the Rainsworth residence in ages and barely spoke to his father.

connected quickly. Nicholas sounded impatient.

It's been ages since the family gathered. Do you have

got matters to handle over

on New Year's Day?" Wren's brows knit. "What could be

and

sitting in a windowless room, tightened his grip on the phone without

you, I'm busy.

say more, but the line had already

he had no

can come for one

mom isn't well; we

most of the

that's

Nathaniel,

them to prepare a proper New

forget to let Elena know that Nathaniel will be home for the

alone