Chapter 396 

After breakfast, they put their plan into action. Alex found Joseph staring absently at the garden roses. 

“Great–grandpa,” he said quietly, sliding onto the bench beside him. “Can we talk about Mom and Dad?” 

Joseph’s eyes crinkled. “What are you three plotting now?” 

Alex’s lips twitched into a grown–up smile. “How’d you know?” 

“Child, I’ve been around almost a century. These old eyes miss nothing.” 

Alex took a deep breath, tiny shoulders squaring. “Great–grandpa, will you help us? Mom’s hurting. Dad too. But they belong together, don’t they?” 

Joseph studied the boy–not quite six but carrying himself like he had the weight of his family on those small shoulders. “You kids are so much like your father. Got that stubborn Haven streak running straight through you.” 

Alex’s face lit up. “So you’ll help?” 

Meanwhile, Lucas cornered Wesley in the kitchen. Clutching a thick science book, he cautiously approached his uncle, who was nursing his third coffee. 

“Whatcha reading?” Wesley asked, lifting the boy onto a chair beside him. 

“Photosynthesis,” Lucas pointed at a diagram. “Uncle Wesley, do you believe in destiny?” 

Wesley nearly choked on his coffee. “Come again?” 

“Destiny, Lucas repeated, dead serious. “Like Mom and Dad. They were meant to be together, and even after years apart, they found each other again.” 

Wesley set his mug down, eyeing his nephew with amazement. “Where do you pick this stuff up?” 

“Not from books,” Lucas shrugged. “I just see things. Like how Dad looks at Mom–the same way I look at the new PlayStation.” 

Wesley snorted coffee. “That’s… profound.” 

Lucas’s small hand climbed onto Wesley’s arm. “Uncle, we need help. We don’t want to lose Dad, and we hate seeing Mom sad. 

Out on the patio, Lily approached a brooding Brandon. She clutched her favorite stuffed unicorn, hesitantly shuffling toward him. 

“Uncle Brandon was super cool standing up for Mom,” she said softly, big eyes studying him intently, “but you hit our dad. That hurt us too.” 

She gently touched his knuckles, as if checking for injuries. “Does it hurt?” 

“My hand? Not really-” 

*Not just your hand,” Lily tilted her head, curls bouncing. “I mean here.” She pressed a tiny finger to her chest. “When everyone’s sad, doesn’t your heart hurt 

too? 

Brandon stared at her, blindsided by such raw insight from someone barely out of toddlerhood. 

“Yeah, he finally admitted, voice softening. “It does hurt. I didn’t want to hit your dad, it’s just…” 

‘Just that you love Mom too much, Lily finished, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Like we do.” 

‘Christ,” he muttered. “You three must’ve taken some emotional manipulation masterclass when nobody was looking.” 

Lily scrunched her nose. ‘Is that good or bad?” 

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Chapter 396 

‘Depends how you use it, princess, Brandon kissed her forehead. “In your hands, it’s lethal. 

At sunset, the triplets reconvened in the yard, comparing notes on their ‘missions. Alex wore a triumphant grin. Great grandpas in 

Lucas nodded. “Uncle Wesley too, though he sighed like a million times.” 

“Uncle Brandon was super grumpy, Lily reported, “but then he gave me ice cream and said he’d think about it.” 

Alex glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “Phase one complete. Now for phase two: Operation Family Emergency.” 

Three little heads huddled close, whispering their next move. 

Adam was drowning himself in quarterly reports, trying not to think about Irene, when his phone rang. 

“Sir,” Thomas’s voice sounded panicked, “there’s trouble at the Sterling house. The children-” 

Adam’s heart stuttered. “What? What happened?” 

“They’re asking for you. Say it’s an emergency. They’ll only speak to you.” 

Adam bolted out the door, not even bothering to change out of his t–shirt and sweats. Minutes later, he burst into Irene’s living room, stunned to find not just the triplets, but also Irene, Joseph, and her brothers waiting. 

“What’s the emergency?” he scanned the room frantically. “Thomas said—* 

“Sir, I appear to have been misled by certain small individuals,” Thomas explained from behind him, fighting a smile. 

The triplets stood together, a united front. Alex stepped forward. “We need a family meeting. The whole family.” 

Adam’s eyes found Irene, who seemed equally ambushed by this ‘emergency.” Her eyes were slightly puffy, but her expression was calmer than yesterday. 

“Kids,” Irene said quietly, ‘you can’t trick people like this. Thomas and Adam were worried.” 

“But this is an emergency,” Lucas insisted. “Family fighting is serious.” 

Lily tugged Adam’s hand, leading him to the sofa. “Dad, sit here.” Then she pulled her mother forward. “Mom, sit by Dad.” 

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut, but no one had the heart to refuse the children’s arrangement. Joseph’s eyes twinkled with understanding, Brandon maintained a stony silence, and Wesley’s lips twitched toward a smile. 

“Okay,” Alex positioned himself in the center of the room like a tiny commander. “We need to fix things. First, Mom, why are you so sad?” 

Irene stared at her son, speechless. “Alex, this isn’t-” 

No, Mom,” Alex cut her off, something normally forbidden. “You always tell us to face problems head–on. That’s what we’re doing.” 

The adults exchanged shocked glances as this not–quite/six–year–old took charge. Lucas and Lily flanked him, a solid little team. 

Irene inhaled deeply. “I’m sad because… many things, sweetheart. Some things are complicated. Adults need time to-” 

*Because Dad is our dad, but you only just found out, right?‘ Lucas cut in bluntly. “And everyone kept it from you.” 

Irene blinked, a tear escaping. “Yes, that hurts.” 

“We’re sorry, Mom, Lily whispered, wrapping arms around her. “We didn’t mean to hurt you. We were just scared you’d be sad.” 

“I know, baby,” Irene stroked her daughter’s hair. ‘I don’t blame you.” 

Alex turned to Adam. “Now, Dad, why didn’t you tell Mom sooner?” 

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Chapter 396 

Adam met his son’s gaze directly. “I’ve known you were my children for a few days, Alex, but I only understood how it happened at the police station I swear, if I’d known about that night earlier, I would’ve told your mom immediately.” 

But you already loved Mom before that, Lucas pointed out, eyes glinting with wisdom. “And you loved us ton, right? Even not knowing who we were. 

Adam’s hand gently cupped Lucas’s cheek, then his eyes found Irene’s, filled with longing. ‘Absolutely. I fell for your mother because of her increddy brave heart, her kindness, her strength.” He turned to the children, voice softening. And you three stole my heart from day one. Learning you were mine get made that love deeper. You and your mom are the best gifts I’ve ever received.* 

“Good, Alex nodded, satisfied. “Now, Uncle Brandon, why did you hit Dad?” 

Brandon choked, coughing awkwardly. “Uh, well… I was… I was angry.” 

“Being angry isn’t an excuse, Lily frowned. “Mom always says so.” 

Brandon threw up his hands. “You’re right, Lily. I messed up. He reluctantly glanced at Adam. “Sorry I lost it.” 

Adam nodded his acceptance. 

“Now,” Alex continued, “Mom and Dad need to forgive each other. Mom, Dad doesn’t remember that night, just like you don’t. That’s not his fault, right?” 

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