Chapter 399 

While Adam and foseph headed toward the Sterling masion, an unexpected knock rattled the door of the Claser household arrost low 

Mike groaned, preling himself off the couch with res enthusiasm. Who the hell’s showing up this late?” he mattered, drazzing his Get acro potato chip crumbs stuck to his stained sweatpants 

The moment he yanked the door open, his grumpy expression annished free stood on his doorstep, her simple outfit somehow lonking more expensiver then his entire wardrobe. 

1–you—what brings you here?” Mike’x slouch disappeated like magic, His face stretched into a smile that wouldn’t fool toddler. Come in, come in! 

The commotion brought Jenny sommying from the kitchen, dish soap bubbles still clinging to her hands. Her eyes widened before her face arranged itself into the exact same lake smile 

“Trene! Look at you?” Jenny chaped, frantically wiping her hand on her pants. “Word on the street is you se snagged elf Haven! Talk about hitting the jackpot! 

Irene took them both in with a single glance, her face unreadable. I keep this short,” she said quietly. I’m here about Ethan” 

She pulled out a sealed envelope. When Mike reached for it, fingers grasping eagerly, she pulled back just enough to keep it out of reach. 

This sets up Ethan’s college lund,” she explained, watching Mike’s hands carefully. Money goes straight to a dedicated account. Only pays for education- Tuition, books, that stuff.” 

Her 

eyes marrowed slightly. Il be checking the accounts. Regularly. Try anything funny with this money…” She let the sentence hang there. “Let’s just say you really don’t want to find out what happens, 

Mike’s hand retreated like hed touched a hot stove, Tesus, Irene. We wouldn’t–I mean, Ethan’s education is our top priority.” 

“Always has been,” Jenny jumped in, nodding so 1 

so hard her earrings jangled. “We’ve been saving for the best colleges- 

“Cut the crap,” Irene said evenly. “Ethan filled out every scholarship form by himself. You don’t even know what classes be taking this semester, do you? Or who his friends are?” 

A key turned in the lock, interrupting them. The front door swung open, and Ethan trudged in, backpack hanging off one shoulder, looking like he’d lost a battle with his homework. Then he spotted Irene, and hit whole face lit up. 

“Sas!” He dropped his backpack with a thud and practically tackled her with a lug- 

Irenes transformation was instant–her face softened, the ice in her eyes melting as she hugged him back fiercely. She ruffled his hair automatically. Hey buddy. School kicking your butt or what?” 

“Nah, I’m kicking its butt,” Ethan grinned, then tilted his head. “Something’s off with you. What’s up?” 

Mike and Jenny exchanged glances before hacking toward the kitchen, mumbling about making coffee. 

Irene guided Ethan to the couch. She listened as he rattled off stories about debate team drama and a frog dissection disaster that had everyone evacuating the lab. She laughed at all the right places, asked the right questions, her eyes following his animated gestures with obvious pride. 

“How about that algebra mess you texted me about? Figure it out?” she asked. 

“Yeah! Adam showed me this trick- Ethan stopped mid–sentence, his teenage radar clearly picking up signals. “Wait a sec. Did you guys fight or something? You get weird when I mention him.” 

Irene looked startled, then laughed softly. “When did you turn into such a mind reader?“” 

She fidgeted with a throw pillow. “It’s not exactly a fight. It’s…. messy. Adult stuff. I just need some breathing room,” 

“Breathing room?” Ethan’s eyebrows scrunched together. “You taking off somewhere?” 

26.1/3 

Chapter 399 

frene fured bit crooked collat, a habit that hadn’t changed in years. ‘I need to ga hack to a place nut friped line 

thidaen he emildat gate read. “Wont be fome, Lima 

“Promise?” Ethan’s voice ecked, suddenly sounding wonnert. 

“Cross my heart.” She touched her forehead to his briefly. And hey–you hit any madhilocks, call Adam or Brandon, okay? They’ve got your back. 

At the door, their goodbye hug lasted longer than usual, Irene held onto him like the was memenizing the frei of him. 

Standing alone at the corner after leaving, Irene took a deep breath that seemed in empty her entirely the pulled out her phone and dialed, her trucides white around the case. 

“Hi there, I need the first available flight to R. Country, please………“ 

Meanwhile, Thomas was wrestling with Adam’s wheelchair at the Sterling mansion steps, muttering about “accessibility lasenta under his breath, Joseph trailed behind them, looking like a man heading to an unpleasant medical appointment 

Before they could even reach for the doorbell, the massive door swung open. Rose and John stood framed in the doorway, looking completely surprised. 

“Adam? Joseph?” Rose’s hand fluttered to her throat. “This is unexpected.” 

the chase. “Where’s Irene?” 

Adam cut straight to the chase. 

Rose’s bewilderment seemed genuine. “Irene? Why would she be here? Has something happened?” 

John stepped forward. “Is there trouble we should know about?” 

Adam’s shoulders slumped, the weight on them suddenly visible. Joseph shook his head. “Looks like we bet on the wrong horse.” 

Rose gripped Adam’s wheelchair, her knuckles whitening. “Tell me what’s going on. Is Irene okay?” 

“She’s gone,” Adam said, the words falling like stones. “Left a note saying she needed time. I thought she might come here.” 

r white. “Gone where?” 

Rose’s face went papers 

“Wherever she is, I’ll find her,” Adam said quietly but firmly. “She’s not running–she’s searching 

Back in the car, Adam stared at raindrops racing down the window. Joseph broke the silence, 

Still think she’ll end up at the Sterling place?” 

“Eventually,” Adam nodded, his jaw set stubbornly. “That house is ground zero for her pain. She’ll need to face it before she can move forward.” 

So what’s our next move? Joseph asked. 

Adam’s fingers tapped a restless rhythm. Check on the kids first.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “And I’ve got this gut feeling… she’s headed to it. Country” 

They arrived home to find Brandon wearing a path 

in the living room carpet. He spun toward them the second the door opened. “Tell me you found her.” 

Adam shook his head. The hope draining from three small faces on the staircase was almost painful to watch. 

“No Mommy?” Lily’s bottom lip quivered dangerously. 

Adam opened his arms, and they came flying down the stairs like tiny meteors, crashing against him. “Your mom will be back before you know promise.” 

That’s a 

The doorbell interrupted the moment. Brandos yanked it open, hope flashing across his face before disappointment took its place. Ethan stood there, looking like he’d sprinted the whole way. 

“Where’s my sister?” he asked, still catching his breath. 

2/3 

Chapter 399 

Author’s Note: 

Sorry if the chapter break felt a bit awkward–1 got menught up in writing the emotional scenes that I want paying attention to where I eat Just keep reading–1 promise the story won’t disappoint you! 

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