Chapter 261 Strangely Thinking of Selena

Katherine's POV

After Alexander felt much better, we went to the dining table together and had breakfast.

"I think we should head to Pike Place Market today," Kevin announced at breakfast, popping the last bite of toast into his mouth. "I need to pick up a few things."

I looked up from my coffee, considering the idea. It had been a while since I'd visited the market, and spending more time with my brother seemed like a perfect way to make up for our years apart.

"That sounds great," I replied. "There are a few things I need to get too."

Alexander cleared his throat from across the table. "I'll join you both," he offered, his eyes meeting mine with undisguised eagerness.

I hesitated, glancing at the kids who were finishing their breakfast. Emma was attempting to build a tower with her cereal, while Ethan quietly read a book propped against the orange juice carton. Ryan, as usual, was typing away on his tablet, occasionally looking up to ensure his siblings weren't making too much of a mess.

"You'd better stay here and watch the children," I suggested gently. "Kevin and I won't be gone long."

Alexander's expression fell slightly. "I'm sure one of the staff could watch them..."

"It's not just that," I added, lowering my voice. "With your stomach still bothering you, walking around the crowded market might not be the best idea. Besides..." I trailed off, suddenly feeling a little awkward about leaving him behind.

"Besides what?" he prompted, leaning closer.

"Nothing important," I said quickly. "We won't buy much, just a few small things. Didn't you mention wanting some alone time with the kids? This is your chance."

Alexander's disappointment was visible, but he nodded in agreement. "You're right. Just be careful out there. If you end up with too many bags, call me and I'll bring the kids to help carry everything."

"Will do," I promised, getting up from the table. Before leaving, I turned to the children. "You four behave for your father, okay? No fighting, no mischief."

Ryan looked up from his tablet. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll keep an eye on things here."

Twenty minutes later, Kevin and I were driving toward downtown Seattle in his rental car. Through the window, I could see the familiar Seattle skyline, the Space Needle standing tall against the backdrop of a surprisingly clear blue sky.

"Ryan's really something else," Kevin commented as we waited at a traffic light. "He's what, four years old? But he talks and acts like a little businessman."

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "He's always been that way. Out of all the triplets, he's the most like Alexander. Sometimes it feels like I'm dealing with two Alexander Hudsons instead of one."

Kevin chuckled, but I noticed his expression turn more serious. "Speaking of Alexander... things seem different between you two."

I sighed. "A lot changed, Kevin. Most of what I thought about Alexander was based on misunderstandings. He's not perfect, but he loves the children. And he loves me."

"And you?" Kevin kept his eyes on the road. "Do you still love him?"

"I never stopped," I admitted quietly. "Even when I hated him, there was always a part of me that still loved him."

Kevin reached over and squeezed my hand. "Just be careful, okay? I don't want to see you hurt again."

As we drove, my mind drifted to a memory from years ago—a day that had changed everything.

"Do you remember that day in the mountains?" I asked suddenly. "When we were running from those men?"

Kevin's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "How could I forget? We nearly died up there."

"I lost Mom's bracelet that day," I said softly. "The one she told me was so important to keep safe."

"Katherine, you know that wasn't your fault," Kevin's voice was gentle but firm. "We were running for our lives."

"I know. It's just... I've never stopped thinking about it. Mom said it was crucial, but she never got to tell me why." I stared out the window, watching Seattle pass by in a blur of green and gray.

Kevin was quiet for a long moment. Then, keeping his eyes on the road, he said, "I have something for you."

Alexander's POV

The front door had barely closed behind Katherine and Kevin when Emma tugged at my sleeve, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Daddy," she said, bouncing on her toes, "can we play princess beauty salon?"

I glanced at the other children, hoping for rescue. Ethan merely shrugged, while Ryan gave me a sympathetic but unhelpful look. William, sitting quietly at the table, seemed equally unwilling to intervene.

"Alright, princess," I said, resigned to my fate. "What does playing beauty salon involve?"

Thirty minutes later, I found myself sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, my dignity in tatters.

Emma had adorned my head with several bright hair clips and small ponytail holders that pulled uncomfortably at my scalp. She'd also "painted" a watch and several rings on my hands with her washable markers.

"You look beautiful, Daddy!" Emma announced proudly, stepping back to admire her work.

Ryan appeared in the doorway, took one look at me, and shook his head. "Emma, why don't you go find William? I think he wanted to show you his new toy."

Emma skipped away happily, and I shot Ryan a grateful look. Ethan quietly approached, offering me a wet wipe with a poorly concealed smirk.

"Thanks," I muttered, beginning to remove Emma's artwork from my hands.

My phone chimed with an email notification as I was wrestling with a particularly stubborn hair clip. I was about to ignore it when something about the subject line caught my attention: [She's not who you think she is.]

Opening the email, I froze. There, in vivid color, was a photograph of Katherine and Kevin together at what appeared to be a restaurant.

Nothing unusual about siblings having lunch, except for the way Kevin was leaning toward Katherine, his hand covering hers on the table.

Who would send me this? The sender's address was unfamiliar—just a string of random characters.

My first thought was Selena... I felt rather baffled at myself for having this thought pop up in my mind out of the blue.

After all, she was still in the hospital recovering from her suicide attempt. Would she really be orchestrating something like this?

I deleted the email, deciding it was probably just someone trying to stir up trouble. But I couldn't help thinking about Selena and how much she'd changed from the woman I once knew.

Five years ago, when we were caught in that avalanche, Selena had risked her own life to save mine.

I remember looking up at her as she pulled me from the snow, her face glowing like an angel's in the harsh mountain light. She'd been so kind, so full of life and optimism then.

Now, something about her seems different. People change, I suppose. I've certainly changed.

There was a time when I thought I might marry the lifesaver out of gratitude and family obligation.

Then Katherine entered my life like a hurricane, and everything I thought I knew about love was rewritten in an instant.

I still feel enormous gratitude toward Selena for saving my life, but that's all it is—gratitude, not love.

My thoughts were interrupted by Emma's return. "Dad! Are you done resting?" she called, bouncing back into the room.

"What are you up to, little one?" I asked, grateful for the distraction.

"Ryan says there are cool plants near the lake shore. He's taking us exploring! Want to come?" she asked, her excitement infectious.

I caught Ryan's eye across the room. "I'll join you," I agreed, not entirely comfortable with the idea of the children near the water without supervision.

Ten minutes later, we were walking along a carefully marked path that wound from our property down toward the edge of Lake Washington.

Emma walked ahead, her small hand holding William's as they sang a nonsensical song about butterflies. William, usually so shy, was happily joining in the chorus.

Ryan and Ethan followed, engaged in a serious discussion about local ecosystems that seemed far beyond their years.

We reached a small clearing near the shore where colorful wildflowers grew in abundance. Emma immediately began collecting blooms for her basket, carefully instructing William on which ones to pick.

"Dad, don't move," Ryan's voice suddenly cut through my thoughts, sharp and urgent.

I froze, confused by his tone. In the next instant, Ryan had darted past me and positioned himself between me and something on the ground. Before I could process what was happening, he let out a cry of pain and collapsed.

That's when I saw it—a small snake slithering away through the grass. Ryan was on the ground, clutching his leg, his face contorted in pain.

"Ryan!" I shouted, dropping to my knees beside him. In that moment, my heart seemed to stop beating altogether.