Chapter 281
After dropping Dr. Jonathan offat his place, Thomas steered toward rene’s house. The sky glowed orange as they pulled into the driveway. The triplets couldn’t sh still after their big win, grabbing their artwork and medals like they might disappear.
“Don’t leave anything behind,” Irene called, watching Lily nearly drop her gold medal in all the excitement.
Before they even reached the porch, the front door new open. Branden sat in his wheelchair, looking like he’d been hovering by the
window for hours.
“Finally!” He backed up to let them in. “Been waiting forevert Did you crush the competition or what?”
The living room hummed with anticipation. Wesley sprawled on the fa, feet propped up, while Henry nursed a drink nearby. All heads swiveled toward the returning champions.
“We won EVERYTHING!” Lucas pumped his fist so hard
he
nearly smacked Alex in the face.
“Gold medal right here: Lily sung, dangling her prize like it might disappear
if
she didn’t keep it moving.
“Silver,” Alex added, quiet pride shining behind his glasses.
Brandon’s face lit up. “That’s how Sterlings roll! Never doubted you for
a
The kids swarmed the adults, medals flashing as they talked over each other. Wesley leaned forward to examine the prizes, genuine admiration in his eyes.
“These are legit impressive,” he said. “Can’t wait to see what masterpieces earned them.”
Lucas’s face suddenly clouded over. “But this mean old lady said we cheated! Right to our faces!”
“Said what now?” Brandon’s smile vanished like it had been slapped off. “Who’d dare accuse my niece and nephews?”
“She was super scary,” Lily whispered, huddling closer to her brothers. “Yelled at us in front of everyone.”
Brandon’s face flushed red. He spun his wheelchair around, already hitting the controls. “Wesley, Henry–let’s roll! Time to teach some people about respect!”
Wesley suddenly became fascinated with a magazine, flipping pages like it contained the secrets of the universe. Henry discovered something absolutely riveting on the ceiling.
Irene rolled her eyes and calmly reached over to cut Brandon’s power “Adam already handled it. Your knight–in–shining–armor routine isn’t needed.”
Brandon deflated instantly. “Adam Haven? What’d wheelchair guy do Wave his platinum card around?”
“Actually,” Irene crossed her arms, he was ice cold about it. Reminded everyone that Haven Enterprise dumps millions into art education, then casually mentioned his lawyers might be interested in adults harassing children.”
As she spoke, her voice softened without her noticing. The memory of Adam creating a barrier between her kids and that awful woman–the quiet steel in his voice when he defended them–sent warmth spreading through her chest.
Brandon caught the change in her expression, his eyes narrowing at a look he’d never seen on her face before. How did he get all the hero moments? he thought bitterly. What’s next? Is he going to swoop in and solve all our problems now?
“We’re making a trophy wall! Lucas broke the moment, bouncing on his toes. “Can we use the space by the stairs, Mom?”
1/2
Chapter 281
*I think we need a dedicated shell, Alex said, already mentally men ring dimensions.
“I’m gonna paist something even better next time, Lily declared, already planning her next masterpiece.
Wesley grinned at their enthusiasm. “Keep this up and you’ll need a whole trophy room.”
Brandon couldn’t help watching Irene from the corner of his eye. Something had shifted in his sister, and he wasn’t sure he liked it one bit.
Evening shadows stretched across Adam’s office as he attacked quarterly reports with laser focus. Thomas stood nearby, noticing the subtle changes in his boss–the ghost of a smile when his phone buzed with messages from the triplets, the almost imperceptible relaxing of his shoulders.
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