When Howard saw what Kelly was wearing, ho paused, giving her a curious look.
“I thought you couldn’t stand cotton pajamas.”
After all these years together, he knew she’d always preferred silk–her closet was full of silk nightgowns, no matter the season.
She shrugged lightly. “Maybe I’m getting old.”
Howard laughed, reaching for her hand. “Aren’t we both?”
There was a time when nothing could shake them. No matter how tough things got, they faced it head–on. But now, just dealing with someone like Patricia left him completely worn out.
“How’s Mom?” he asked.
“She’s resting. She’ll probably need a few days to recover.”
They kept chatting as they walked into the bedroom.
While Howard was in the shower, Kelly sat at her vanity, putting away her skin care bottles. Just as she finished, her phone lit up on the table.
She picked it up and glanced at the screen.
A message from an unknown number. There was a picture attached.
And she was right there in the photo, clear as day.
For a second, Kelly’s face turned white. Then even whiter. Her hand shook as she held the phone.
That man was like a shadow–no matter what, she couldn’t shake him off.
The bathroom door opened and Howard came out, catching her before she could hide the panic on
her face.
“You look terrible. What happened?”
“I’ve just been busy with work and not really keeping up with things at home. Are you sure everything’s okay?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing,” Kelly replied, forcing a smile. “Maybe I’m just hitting menopause or something.”
***
Early morning.
Oliver finished his run and came upstairs, surprised to find Patricia already awake, sitting on the bed with her phone. Usually, she’d still be asleep at this hour.
She rubbed her temples, looking like she had a headache. While she spoke softly into the phone, her face stayed serious, not a trace of warmth.
“Okay, get some rest,” Patricia said before hanging up.
1/2
20:37
She looked up and saw Oliver standing at the foot of the bed, looking a little sulky.
They’d argued the night before. She’d spent most of the afternoon at the police station, totally drained, and went straight to bed. She wasn’t sure if he was still upset.
Patricia tried, “All done with your workout?”
He nodded. “Are you going to the office today?”
She paused. “Do you want me to?”
Oliver’s lips pressed together, then he let out a small smile. “Do you want me to go?”
Patricia blinked. “It’s the weekend.”
He nodded again. “So, are you heading out?”
His meaning was clear: if she went out, he’d go to the office. If she stayed home, so would he.
No wonder Sara always joked he didn’t even need to show up at the office anymore. What billionaire actually works a nine–to–five?
Patricia shook her head. “Not planning to.”
At breakfast, the three kids were in the dining room, each glued to their phone.
Colton was tapping away, probably texting someone. Roger was checking work emails. Sara was scrolling through a shopping app, eyeing a new dress.
They were all doing their own thing and somehow, it felt peaceful–until Oliver walked in.
All three of them put their phones away in perfect sync.
“Aunt Patricia, it’s the weekend. Do you have any plans?” Colton asked, sounding hopeful.
Patricia stepped aside as Marian brought in the bird’s nest soup. “That depends on what your Uncle Oliver has planned.”
Sara looked at Oliver in surprise. “You two together? That’s a first.”
They’d been married forever but hadn’t ever really gone out as a couple. Maybe something had finally changed.
“So, is this a date?” Sara teased, grinning. “Does this count as your first real date?”
