“Yes,” Adam said simply, meeting his father’s questioning gaze. The city lights twinkled beyond the office window, casting shadows across his resolute face.
Marcus’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t expected such a straightforward answer.
“Your grandfather will lose his mind. Three kids, Adam? He’ll have a fit before you finish your sentence:
‘Her past doesn’t matter to me.” Adam leaned forward, voice dropping. “Ex–husband, family baggage–I couldn’t care less. We click.
That’s what matters.”
He ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight. ‘Look, I’ve watched Haven marriages turn into glorified business deals my whole life. I won’t be another chess piece moved around for family advantage. I just want…” He paused, searching for words. “I want something
real.”
Marcus studied the man his boy had become. Adam had his mind for business but none of his willingness to fold on personal stakes. The stubborn set of his jaw reminded Marcus of himself thirty years ago.
“Your mother- Marcus started.
“Will hate it.” Adam finished for him. “That’s where you come in.”
He rarely asked for help, and they both knew it. Something in Marcus softened at the request.
“You’re the only one she listens to,” Adam added.
Before Marcus could answer, Adam was already wheeling toward the door. “Thanks. Meeting in ten.”
The door clicked shut, leaving Marcus alone.
“Walked right into that one,” he muttered, slumping back. Sophia had been curating potential daughters–in–law since Adam was in high school. Now he’d have to tell her their son had thrown her entire list in the shredder for a doctor with three ready–made kids.
Across town, Irene collapsed onto her bed, stealing five minutes of peace before the next round of chaos erupted downstairs. She absentmindedly scrolled through her phone when a news alert made her thumb freeze mid–swipe.
#BREAKING: Wright Heiress Arrested for Orchestrating Kidnapping
She tapped on it, and more headlines flooded her screen:
Haven–Wright Engagement Implodes After Arrest
Rejected Heiress Hired Thug To Attack Rival
Irene sat up straighter, pulse quickening as she scanned the article. Tommy Jackson had flipped–complete with recordings, text messages, and money trails all pointing straight to Samantha Wright.
Her phone slipped from her fingers. The memories crashed back like ice water: the rough hands grabbing her in M Country, the panic that had stolen her breath, the helpless feeling of not knowing if she’d see her children again.
Irene hugged herself, suddenly cold despite the warm room. Her eyes drifted to the family photo on her nightstand–three grinning
faces that had almost lost their mother.
“Stop,” she whispered to herself, shaking the thoughts away. Samantha was locked up. The system would handle her now. Letting
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those memories resurface would only give that woman more power than she deserved.
Later that afternoon, Brandon’s voice boomed through the living rodin, rattling the windows. “Rot in jail? That’s too good for herr Wright family churns out a psycho and acts surprised when she tries to kidnap someone? Should’ve taught her basic human decency somewhere between etiquette class and yacht lessons!”
The news of Irene’s near–miss in M Country had only hit the Sterling family today, after Samantha’s arrest exploded across the media. Brandon’s rage filled the living room like smoke.
He jabbed a finger toward Adam. “I swear, if that woman gets some rich–girl plea deal, I’ll-
“She won’t,” Adam cut in, voice quiet but razor–sharp. His wheelchair seemed more throne than handicap as he leaned forward. “The law’s just the opening act. Ine gets hurt, the person responsible pays twice over.” He didn’t add that the Wright family could beg on their knees and still get nowhere with him. Samantha had burned her last chance long ago.
Joseph nodded from his spot on the sofa, cane resting across his knees. Good man.” The weathered lines of his face relaxed slightly.
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