Chapter 404
The sun was sinking low, casting long shadows across the Sterling mansion. With each passing hour, the mood grew heavier. The tripless sat on the porch steps, disappointment written across their small faces. Adam remained silent in his wheelchair, his gaze fixed on the distant road.
Brandon paced the lawn, phone pressed to his ear, trying every number Irene might possibly answer. Each call ended the same way–voicemail.
Wesley and Ethan helped Rose prepare refreshments, doing their best to ease the tension,
Sophia approached Adam, resting her hand gently on his shoulder. “Patience, son.”
Minutes stretched into hours. The sun was barely a sliver on the horizon when Adam suddenly felt something- -a pull, an instinct he couldn’t explain. He checked his watch, looked up at the road again, and found himself standing before he’d made the conscious decision to do so.
“Sir!” Thomas exclaimed, alarmed. “You shouldn’t-”
But Adam was already moving away from the wheelchair, taking unsteady steps toward the gate. His first few strides were relatively stable, but soon he began to sway.
The triplets noticed immediately and rushed to his side, but he waved them back.
‘I need to stand for her,” he said, his voice unwavering despite his trembling–legs.
By the time he reached the gate, sweat beaded on his forehead, his legs threatening to buckle beneath him. Just as he was about to fall, a figure appeared in the distance, walking briskly toward him.
“Adam!”
That voice made every head turn. In the fading twilight stood Irene, her expression shifting from surprise to concern. Time seemed to freeze as everyone held their breath.
“Mom!” The triplets recovered first, screaming as they bolted toward her, their small silhouettes stretching long in the evening light.
Irene dropped to one knee, arms outstretched to receive them. Though her gaze kept darting worriedly to Adam’s struggling form, she embraced her children first–a mother’s instinct impossible to override.
The three little bodies crashed into her with enough force to nearly knock her over, even as her heart was torn between them and the man fighting to stand for her. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she kissed their faces and held them tight, her concern for Adam a constant pulse in her mind.
“My babies, I’ve missed you so much…” Her voice broke as she cradled their faces in her hands, drinking in every familiar detail. “Did you eat properly? Were you good?”
“We were fine,” Alex answered seriously, tears glistening in his eyes. “I took care of Lucas and Lily.”
“I didn’t eat too many snacks, Lucas promised in a small voice, though his shifty eyes betrayed the little lie.
‘I practiced piano every day,” Lily announced proudly, “and I thought about you every minute.”
Even while embracing her children, Irene’s gaze remained locked on Adam’s wavering form. The triplets noticed and quickly made way.
“Go to him, Mom, Alex said softly. “He missed you too.”
Irene rushed forward, catching Adam just as his legs began to give out. Her arms circled his waist, steadying him. Their eyes met, and the world around them seemed to still.
Words felt unnecessary–their eyes said everything: longing, pain, forgiveness, hope, and that undeniable love that had weathered every storm.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay in that wheelchair?” Irene’s voice was gentle despite its tremor, tears shining in her eyes. Her fingers traced his jawline, feeling his warmth, confirming this was all real.
1/3
Chapter 404
Adam cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a tear. “Welcome home, Irene, Those simple words held everything he’d been wishing for
Their foreheads touched, the world around them fading away. In this moment of reunion, they didn’t need words their breathing, heartbeats, and tremblie fingers said it all.
Around them, everyone watched with their own reactions. Joseph quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying not to make it obvious te vite tearing up. Rose didn’t even try to hide it, leaning against John as she sniffled quietly.
Brandon stood with his arms crossed, but his usual scowl had softened into something almost like a smile. Next to him, Katherine pretended something was in her eye, but nobody was buying it.
Wesley nudged Ethan’s shoulder, both grinning like they’d won a bet they’d placed months ago. Thomas hung back, fidgeting with his tie and looking everywhere except at the emotional scene in front of him.
Sophia didn’t say a word, just squeezed Marcus’s hand tightly. For once, the perfectly composed woman looked genuinely moved, exchanging a look with her husband that said more than words could.
The triplets crowded close again, completing the family circle. Irene finally turned to the watching family, warmth shining in her eyes. “Thank you… thank you all for being here.” Her voice was soft but steady, without the wariness and distance from before.
“We’re family,” Joseph said simply. “This is what family does.”
Irene looked around at this gathering–all these people who had come together for her–and finally understood what belonging truly meant. She was no longer the helpless girl abandoned by her family, nor the lonely mother raising children by herself. She had a complete family now–one willing to embrace, support, and wait for her.
“I’m home,” she said softly, relief and happiness filling her voice. “I’ve finally found myself again.”
The golden glow of sunset bathed the scene at the Sterling entrance. Irene helped Adam back to his wheelchair, moving slowly.
Irene helped Adam back to his wheelchair, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Look at you standing up whenever you get the chance. Your legs must be almost healed by now,” she said, eyes sparkling with affection. “Just don’t overdo it before I get a proper look at you, okay?”
Adam smiled. “As long as you’re back to continue the treatment, I can take it slow.”
Irene sat on the step beside his wheelchair, and the three children immediately gathered around her like little birds, nestling close. She kissed each of their foreheads, listening as they eagerly shared everything that had happened while she was away.
“Grandma and Grandpa kept helping look for you,” Alex said mysteriously. “They were really worried.”
Irene looked up in surprise at Sophia and Marcus standing nearby., Sophia stepped forward, her features softer than Irene had ever seen them.
‘Welcome back, Irene,” she said sincerely. “We’re all so glad you’ve come home.”
Irene wasn’t sure how to respond to this unexpected warmth. “Thank you,”
e finally managed, confusion and gratitude mingling in her voice.
Brandon cleared his throat, breaking the awkward moment. “So you went to R Country?”
Irene nodded. “Yes, I needed to go back to the place where I was rebor
She looked at Adam. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you directly. I know it wasn’t
“No,” Adam interrupted. “This was a journey you needed to take. When to
to sort out my thoughts.”
everyone…”
where to go, when to return–those were all your decisions to make.”
“And you did tell us you’d come back, Lily added, her small fingers gripping her mother’s tightly.
“We never doubted it,” Lucas nodded.
