Chapter 226
Irene set down her empty cup, dam’s special tea working its magicn her exhausted body.
“Seriously, how can you stare at those files all day without going crazy? She nodded at the paperwork scattered across the coffee table. “Since you hooked me up with that miracle tea, I’ll save you from boredom with a chess match.
Adam’s eyebrow quirked up. “Chess? You play?”
“Don’t look so shocked.” Irene grabbed the chess set from the bookcase. “There’s more to me than just stethoscopes and scalpels
She arranged the pieces with practiced efficiency. Adam moved first placing a pawn with precise care. Irene countered quickly. relishing the momentary escape from the constant weight of her responsibilities.
The triplets footsteps thundered down the stairs as they burst into the living room, bee–lining for the chess match.
“Who’s winning?” Lucas dropped beside his mother, peering at the board.
“Too early to call it, Irene replied, sliding her knight across the board. “But I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”
Lily leaned against Adam’s arm, her dark curls spilling onto his shoulder. “Who do you think’s gonna win?” she asked her brothers.
“Uncle Adam, duh!” she answered her own question without waiting for them. “He’s, like, a total business genius!”
Irene shot her daughter a look of mock betrayal. “Et tu, Lily? Seriously?”
Alex pushed his glasses up, squinting at the board. “Mom’s crazy smart too. She could totally beat him.”
“I’ve got it!” Lucas jumped up, practically vibrating with excitement. Let’s bet on it! Loser has to do whatever the winner wants!”
The three exchanged conspiratorial glances before announcing in perfect unison: “We bet Uncle Adam wins!”
“Wow.” Irene’s jaw dropped. “I’m raising a trio of little Judases. I see how it is.”
Adam’s mouth twitched, amusement dancing in his eyes as he watched Irene with her children. He noted the shadows under her eyes, the slight slump in her shoulders that her animated expression couldn’t quite hide.
She’s been running on fumes all day, still pulling out smiles for the kids. What’s one chess game compared to giving her a moment’s
victory?
His next moves subtly shifted, creating vulnerabilities that looked like calculated risks rather than deliberate openings.
“Check,” Irene announced, surprise coloring her voice as her bishop and knight cornered his king.
Adam frowned convincingly, as if blindsided by her strategy.
“Checkmate!” Irene’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. She swiveled toward her children with a triumphant grin. “Ha! Take that, you little traitors! Still think Mom’s just a boring doctor?”
She winked playfully at the triplets, who stared at the board in shocked disbelief.
“No way!” Lucas protested, examining the pieces like they might have moved themselves.
“Let’s go again, Irene challenged, energy crackling through her tired frame as she reset the board.
1/2
Chapter 226
Adam obliged, carefully engineering another defeat. By the third game, the triplets watched with narrowed eyes, suspicion dawning on their small faces.
“Uncle Adam’s throwing the gare, Alex stage whispered to his siblings, tactical genius that he was.
“That’s cheating! Lily’s bottom lip jutted out. “You gotta try for reall
Joseph chuckled from his armchair by the window, his knowing gaze meeting Adam’s over the rim of his reading glasses. The old man didn’t say a word–he didn’t need to.
Evening shadows stretched across the dining room as dinner time approached. The smell of roasted chicken and herbs had the triplets circling the table like tiny sharks. James nroved with quiet efficiency, plates appearing in his hands and disappearing onto the table in a well–practiced dance.
Joseph lingered at the foot of the stairs, eyes drifting upward toward Wesley’s room. Worry etched new lines into his weathered face.
Chapter Comments
✔ LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
