After sharing a simple breakfas following their emotional night, Adam and Irene headed home, Thomas driving them in comfortable silence. Irene kept glancing at her phone, her fingers drumming against her thigh. 

“Missing them already?” Adam asked, catching her checking the time again. 

“Is it that obvious?” She smiled, tucking her phone away. “I know it’s ridiculous- 

“It’s not,” he said, his hand finding hers. “It’s actually one of my favorite things about you.” 

As they pulled into the driveway, Irene’s smile vanished. Nathan was leaning against the porch column, hands shoved in his pockets. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered, her body instantly tensing. “What’s he doing here?” 

The front door burst open before they’d even stopped the car, and three small bodies came barreling out. 

“Uncle Nathan!” the triplets shouted, but they quickly changed course when they spotted Irene. 

“Mom’s home!” Lily squealed, launching herself at Irene the moment she stepped out of the car. 

Nathan approached slowly, a plastic bag dangling from his fingers. “Brought the kids some stuff,” he said, his voice carefully neutral. 

Adam wheeled himself closer to Irene, his presence solid and reassuring at her side. 

“Uncle Adam!” Lucas tugged at his sleeve. “Did you and Mom have a sleepover?” 

Irene’s cheeks flushed as she shot Adam a look that was half–embarrassment, half–amusement. 

“Let’s go inside,” she said, steering the conversation away. “It’s too hot out here.” 

In the living room, Irene positioned herself next to Adam, their thighs touching on the sofa. The physical distance between her and Nathan seemed deliberate, a chasm she had no intention of bridging. 

“They grow like weeds,” Nathan said, watching the children dig through the treats. “Lily’s got your eyes now. Didn’t notice that before.” 

“Skip the family reunion act,” Irene cut in, her voice like ice. “Why are you really here?” 

Nathan’s shoulders sagged. “Mom’s birthday thing is today. She wants you there.” 

Irene let out a sharp laugh. “Right. Because suddenly I’m daughter material again?” 

“She’s grateful for what you did for her heart-” 

“I’d have done the same for any patient,” she snapped. “That’s what doctors do. We don’t pick and choose who deserves treatment.” 

The back door opened, and Joseph entered with Brandon trailing behind. The older man paused, his keen eyes taking in the scene. 

Trouble?” Joseph asked mildly, though his gaze was sharp. 

Nathan stood. “Just extending an invitation, Grandfather.” 

Brandon moved beside Irene, arms crossed. “Which she’s free to decline.” 

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“Indeed she is,” Joseph agreed Torcing the issue won’t help anyone Nathan.” 

Defeated, Nathan pulled an envelope from his jacket. “If you change your mind… The words died under trenes cold stare. 

The invitation landed on the coffee table. Irene didn’t even glance ait. 

After Nathan left, Joseph studied his granddaughter. “You’re certain about this?” 

Irene looked up, her composure cracking just enough to reveal the hurt beneath. “Yes.” 

Brandon squeezed her shoulder. “After everything she put you through? I wouldn’t go either.” 

“She gave birth to me,” Irene said quietly. “That doesn’t make her my mother.” 

Adam remained silent, taking in the family dynamics with careful attention. Joseph’s quiet wisdom, Brandon’s fierce protectiveness, Irene’s fragile composure–it all painted a picture of deep bonds and deeper wounds. 

When Joseph and Brandon moved to the kitchen, Adam took Irene’s Hand. 

“Talk to me,” he said simply. 

Irene sighed, her gaze drifting to the discarded invitation. “When I first came back, she couldn’t even look at me. She chose Anna over me for years. Now she wants to play mom because I saved her life?” Her voice caught. “Family doesn’t work that way.” 

Adam nodded. “My mother and I… we’ve had our battles. Sometimes distance is the only way to keep your sanity.” 

“Thank you,” she said, squeezing his hand. “For not pushing.” 

“Your choice. Always.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I’m just here for the ride.” 

Irene leaned into him, the tension in her shoulders finally easing. 

At the St. Peter Grand Hotel, Rose Sterling’s birthday celebration sparkled with Silver City’s elite. Rose smiled and nodded at the endless stream of well–wishers, but her eyes kept drifting to the entrance. 

“You look ten years younger!” an elderly woman gushed. “I can’t believe how well you’ve recovered!” 

“I heard your daughter’s quite the doctor,” someone else commented. “Is she here?” 

Nathan smoothly intercepted. “Emergency surgery. You know how it is.” 

Rose’s smile never faltered, but something dimmed in her eyes. 

Later, in a private room, the façade crumbled. 

“She’s not coming, is she?” Rose asked bluntly. 

Nathan shook his head. “She needs time.” 

Brandon, never one to soften blows, added, “Would you forgive you, if you were her?” 

Rose’s hands trembled slightly. “I failed her in every way possible.” She looked up, tears gathering. “But she’s still my daughter. That’s the one thing I can’t change, even if I wanted to.” 

Evening found Irene’s home filled with laughter. The triplets sprawled across the couch with Adam and Irene, watching a comedy 

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that had them all in stitches. Adam passed Lily her juice without being asked, then leaned in to whisper something to Lucas that made the boy giggle uncontrollably. 

trene watched them, a warmth reading through her chest that had nothing to do with the summer heat. 

One by one, the children drifted off. Together, she and Adam carried them to bed, their movements synchronized as if they’d been doing this for years. 

Back in the living room, Irene curled against Adam’s side. “Thanks for getting through this day with me.” 

His fingers traced lazy circles on her shoulder, “I want all your days. The good ones, the bad ones, the complicated ones.” 

She looked up at him, suddeh vulnerability in her eyes. “What if I can’t let you go anymore?” 

“Then don’t.” His voice was soft but certain. “I’ll make sure you never regret it.” 

“Pretty big talk,” she teased, but there was a tremor in her voice. 

“Not talk. Promise.” He held her gaze. “I’ll prove it every day.” 

The air between them shifted, charged with something new and fragile. 

“I’m trusting you,” she whispered. “Don’t make me regret it.” 

Adam cradled her face in his hands. “Never.” 

Their lips met in a kiss that felt like coming home after a long journey. Irene melted into him, all her walls finally crumbling. 

In the Haven mansion, Sophia sat rigid behind her desk, fury etched in every line of her face. 

“Two billion dollars?” she repeated, voice dangerously soft. “For her lab?” 

Her assistant shifted uncomfortably. “Mr. Haven called it a strategic investment in nerve therapy.” 

Sophia rose, her reflection in the window as hard as steel. “Does he think I’m blind to what’s really happening?” 

Her mind flashed to Irene and those three children–children with no father, no background, no pedigree. 

She snatched up her phone. “Get the car ready. I’ll handle this myself tomorrow.” 

Her lips curved into a cold smile. “If she won’t respond to kindness, we’ll try something else. The Haven legacy won’t be compromised by a woman with three children from God knows where.” 

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