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Oh, my mother still has her moments. She’ll never fully shed that posh, critical veneer. But there’s a warmth to her now, a genuine joy in her eyes when she sees her grandchildren.

The elevator dings, doors sliding open to reveal the parking garage. I make my way to my sleek black SUV, sliding behind the wheel and tossing my purse onto the passenger seat.

My father will be happy to hear we managed to take over the rival hotel chain. Although he’s mellowed in his retirement, content to dote on the little ones and leaving the business to me, he’s always there if I need advice or to celebrate my achievements.

I pull up to the elementary school just as the bell rings, and a flood of children pours out of the double doors. I spot my two immediately—Nico with his mop of unruly dark hair and Ava with her bouncing blonde curls.

They race toward the car, backpacks flapping behind them.

“Mommy!” Ava flings herself into the backseat, all gangly limbs and gap-toothed grin.

“Hey, sweet pea.” I twist around to plant a kiss on her forehead. “How was school?”

“Mrs. Johnson, let us paint today! I made a picture of our family. See?” She thrusts a slightly crumpled piece of paper at me, stick figures in various sizes splashed across in vibrant hues.

“It’s beautiful, baby. We’ll put it on the fridge as soon as we get to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”

“Not at ours?”

“I’m sure your grandparents would love to have one as well. Who’s the tall, slacky one? Your dad?” Oh, he’s gonna love this.

“No, that’s Peter.”

“Who’s P—”

“Hi, Mom.” Nico climbs in beside his sister, his nose buried in a book.

At eight years old, he’s already reading at a middle school level, devouring anything he can get his hands on.

“And how was your day, my little genius?” I place the drawing on the passenger seat.

He looks up, blue eyes serious behind his glasses. “Fine. Is Dad back yet?”

“Not yet, but he will be soon. He’s meeting us at Grandma and Grandpa’s.”

Nico nods, seemingly satisfied, and returns to his book. The title is ‘Advanced Coding for Kids’. Connor. He’s been teaching Nico the basics, nurturing that same brilliant, analytical mind.

It terrifies me sometimes, how much our son takes after his father.

That same intensity, that same single-minded focus. I pray every day he uses it for good, that he doesn’t fall into the same traps and temptations that once ensnared his father.

But then I see the way Connor is with him, the patience and care he takes in guiding Nico. The love that shines in his eyes when he watches our children. And I know, deep in my bones, that he will move heaven and earth to protect them.

I steer into my parents’ driveway, the sprawling estate as imposing as ever. But there’s a warmth to it now, a lived-in feel that was missing in my childhood. Flowerbeds burst with color, and toys scattered across the lawn.

“Grandma! Grandpa!” Ava barrels through the front door without knocking, Nico trailing behind her.

“There are my darlings!” My mother sweeps them into a hug, pressing noisy kisses to their cheeks. “Let me look at you. Ava, did you grow another inch overnight? And Nico, such a handsome boy. You look more like your father every day.”

I step into the foyer, setting my purse on the entry table. “Hi, Mom.”

She turns to me, her smile softening. “Mary, you look lovely as always.” She pulls me in for a hug, her heavy perfume enveloping me.

She’s more relaxed since she has grandkids to look after.

“How are you, Mom? Where’s Dad?” I ask.

“Oh, he’s puttering around in the study. You know how he is, always tinkering with some new gadget or another.” She waves a hand dismissively. “Come, let’s get the children settled. I had Rosa prepare their favorite snacks.”

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