Chapter 261 

Irene sank into the chair by he hotel window, muscles loosening after finishing Adam’s evening treatment. She watched on day lights below, a perfect distraction from how much she missed home. The river reflecting streetlamps reminded her of boor the vide loved watching boats from their backyard. What she wouldn’t give thear their voice’s right now. 

She glanced at her watch and tapped her tablet. Within seconds, chas erupted through the speakers, 

“Mom! GUYS, MOM’S CALLING! Lily’s voice could probably shatter glass at that pitch. 

A stampede of slippers slapped against hardwood before her screen filed with three squished faces, all talking at once. 

“Whoa, one at a time,” Irene laughed, the knot in her chest loosening at the sight of them. “Anyone been feeding my monsters?” 

Alex adjusted his glasses with that serious little–man gesture that always made her heart squeeze. “Everything’s according to schedule. Meals, homework, bedtime–all operational.” 

“Super good!” Lucas practically headbutted the camera. “Don’t even worry about us! Just focus on Uncle Adam! 

The not–so–subtle matchmaking made Irene roll her eyes. “Right. And your uncles? Katherine handling them okay?” 

Brandon’s face suddenly filled the screen, his expression pure tragedy. “Irene, when are you coming back? I’m dying here 

Mom!” Alex cut in, clearly fed up. “Uncle Brandon screams like a baby when Katherine does the exact same treatment you do.” He lowered his voice to a stage whisper. “She doesn’t baby him like you do.” 

“I heard that!” Brandon yelped. “Sis, seriously, I might not survive this woman’s idea of ‘treatment. My leg’s about to fall off!* 

Can’t be too bad if he’s got enough energy to whine, Irene thought, biting back a smile. 

“And Uncle Wesley?” she asked. 

“Same as always.” Lucas shrugged. “Eats. Sleeps. Occasionally grunts. 

“But he showed us how to draw today!” Lily flipped the camera to display several colorful disasters proudly taped to the wall. 

“Modern masterpieces,” Irene said, holding back a laugh. “Save me one for the fridge.” 

The camera flipped back to three expectant faces. A pause, then- 

“Where’s Uncle Adam?” Lily asked, subtle as a brick. 

“Working. That’s why we’re here, remember?” Irene kept her tone light 

Their collective disappointment was almost comical. Then Lily’s eyes narrowed with purpose. 

“Mom. Do you like Uncle Adam?” she asked with the directness only a seven–year–old could muster. 

Water went down the wrong pipe as Irene choked. “What kind of–where did that come from?” 

Alex pushed his glasses up, all scientific observation. “You’re together constantly. And he looks at you differently.” 

Heat crawled up Irene’s neck. “He’s my patient. I’m his doctor. End of story.” 

1/2 

Chapter 261. 

She caught Brandon’s barely chincealed smile of relief at the edge of the screen. 

A soft knock saved her from further interrogation. The door opened and Adam appeared, haloed by the hallway light. 

“Hey.” 

She turned, surprised. “Bath already done?” 

“Not yet.” He wheeled closer. “Heard the kids.” 

Adam maneuvered beside her, lifting a hand toward the screen. The reaction was instant. 

“UNCLE ADAM!” Three voices created a perfect high–pitched chord. 

Irene handed him the tablet, noting how his usual razor–sharp edges softened as he greeted them. 

“Hey, troublemakers.” 

“Don’t work too hard!” Lucas waggled a finger like he’d seen adults do. “Health first!” 

“Yeah, remember to rest!” Alex nodded, suddenly an authority on adult wellbeing. 

Lily smooshed her face closer. “Miss you lots.” 

“Me too,” Alex added, suddenly shy. “And take care of Mom, okay?” 

Adam’s mouth curled up at one corner–the closest thing to a real smile Irene had seen from him. He answered each child with surprising patience while Brandon tried unsuccessfully to muscle his way to the front, clearly intent on delivering some brotherly 

warning. 

While Irene chatted with her kids, Natalie was having a very different evening. Next door, she paced back and forth in her fancy suite. The room was perfect–expensive sheets, fresh flowers, amazing view–and she had absolutely nothing to show for the trip. After getting pushed aside all day, she’d had enough.