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.

his quarters, Wren first phoned

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

quickly. Nicholas sounded impatient. "Dad, what's

Year's Day is coming. It's been ages since the family gathered.

matters to handle over

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

Come home and leave

a windowless room, tightened his grip

I'm busy.

more, but the line had already gone

deeper, he had no choice but to

"Dad, we can come for one meal. But

isn't well; we

the

right, that's only

the details with Nathaniel, Wren summoned

them to prepare a

Elena know that Nathaniel

alone