Chapter 166
Chapter 166
Elena's POV
The next day, bright sunlight illuminated this strange city. I held Max's small hand tightly as we walked through the airport terminal, vigilantly scanning our surroundings.
"Max, stay close," I reminded him, my eyes constantly checking the crowds for any potential threats. After everything that happened last night, my nerves were still tightly wound.
Max nodded obediently, clutching his backpack straps.
"Where are we, Mom?" he asked, looking up at the bright blue sky.
I forced myself to smile, though my heart still ached from the separation. "Sweetheart, this is where we'll be living from now on."
"Elena! Over here!"
Hearing that familiar voice, I turned to see Dennis waving at us by the exit. I hadn't expected him to be the one meeting us.
"Dennis?" I said with surprise, pulling Max quickly toward him. "I didn't expect to see you. I thought Morgan would be here."
We embraced briefly, the warmth of our reunion making me relax my guard slightly.
"Change of plans," Dennis explained, taking Max's backpack. He smiled, crouching down to eye level with my son: "Hey, little guy."
Max studied his face carefully.
"Baby, this is your uncle, Dennis," I introduced to Max.
Max nodded and gave a small response.
As we loaded our luggage into the car, I lowered my voice to ask, "Is everything alright?"
Dennis laughed easily. "Relax, Elena. Oliver is handling things back there. The situation isn't that serious."
I smiled weakly, but inwardly I wasn't convinced.
---
Our new apartment was small but clean, with large windows letting in plenty of sunlight. While Dennis entertained Max in the living room, I methodically checked every corner, every closet, every window lock.
Old habits die hard.
"All secure?" Dennis asked when I finally joined them.
"Seems so." I sank onto the couch, suddenly exhausted. "I need to call Oliver."
"Already did. He says the situation is resolved, and the projects can proceed smoothly."
I sighed with relief. I was determined to work hard and continue striving toward my goals.
---
Two months flew by. With Oliver's resources and my strategic planning, we had accumulated substantial funds. Enough to start thinking about the next step.
"Dennis," I called, finding him at the kitchen table surrounded by spreadsheets. "I want to buy back the Winter estate."
He looked up, surprised. "The old family home? Why?"
"It's our place," I said simply. "We should go back."
These days, Dennis had changed. The once carefree boy who would always follow me, chattering away, had become a steady young man. But sometimes I was reminded of when we first started spending time together, his changeable nature. Sometimes childish, but sometimes I could see Richard in him. Was I overthinking?
"I'll look into it," he promised, making a note. "The current owner is someone named Bobby Owens. Moonhaven resident, I think."
"Tell him I'll pay double what he paid for it," I said firmly. "That house belongs to our family. I must get it back."
The Winter estate wasn't just any property. My father had bought it when his business first succeeded, before everything fell apart. It held all our good memories.
Dennis nodded, already making calls.
Max's POV
I peeked around the doorframe, watching Mom and Uncle Dennis work. They were talking about boring grown-up stuff—money, houses, and something called "assets."
Perfect time for my secret mission.
I tiptoed back to my bedroom, carefully closing the door. From under my pillow, I pulled out my tablet.
I checked the hallway one more time to make sure no one was coming, then quickly dialed Lily's number.
"Hello?" A small, familiar voice answered.
I grinned. "Lily? It's me, Max!"
"Max!" she squealed excitedly. "You haven't called in a day and night!"
"Really? It's been that long?" I asked, surprised.
"Kathy and I were so worried about you!" Lily complained.
"That's all because of Mom," I explained, lowering my voice and glancing toward the door to make sure Mom wasn't coming. "She hasn't been going to work lately. She's been home all day."
"Why isn't Mom going to work?" Lily asked. "Is it because she found out that Dad is going to marry Emma—"
There was a commotion on the other end, and Lily's voice cut off.
"What happened?" I asked curiously, wondering what was going on.
Then Kathy's voice replaced Lily's. "Nothing, Max. What's Mom been doing lately?"
I glanced over my shoulder again, making sure the coast was clear. "Mom's making Uncle Dennis go back to buy the house she lived in when she was little," I whispered excitedly. "She says it belongs to our family and she needs to get it back."
"Really?!" Kathy gasped loudly.
Then their voices turned tense.
"Max, we have to go. Dad's home!" Kathy said hurriedly before the line went dead.
Richard's POV
The moment I walked through the door, I knew something was off. My two daughters stood in the middle of the living room, looking unusually nervous.
"What are you two doing?" I asked directly, my sharp eyes scanning them.
Kathy remained silent, her eyes avoiding mine. Lily's small hands were clenching and unclenching—a nervous habit I'd noticed before.
Lily spoke first: "Nothing, Dad. Kathy and I were just playing chess upstairs." Her voice was pitched higher than normal.
She quickly changed the subject. "Dad, why are you home so early? Don't you have to go to the office today?"
"We're going to see the venue for the engagement party," I answered briefly, still observing their reactions. "I came back to get some documents. You two behave for Anna, understood?"
They nodded without looking at me. Behind me, Emma stepped forward with carefully wrapped packages.
"Look what I brought for you two little ones!" Emma said with a bright smile, clearly expecting excitement.
Instead, my daughters exchanged a glance, their faces showing unmistakable distaste. Without taking the gifts, they turned and ran upstairs.
"Hey! What's wrong with you two? Why are you running away? Don't you want your presents?" Emma called after them, confused, but they had already disappeared around the corner.
I frowned. Their behavior was strange.
While searching through the drawer in the master bedroom, my heightened hearing caught a loud thud, followed immediately by a cry of pain.
"Lily—" Kathy's scream made my blood freeze.
I dropped the documents and rushed out, taking the stairs three at a time. My heart pounded with fear. As I turned the corner of the staircase, the scene before me triggered every protective instinct in my body.
Lily lay on the steps, hands covering her mouth, blood seeping between her fingers. Kathy knelt beside her, panicking. The sharp metallic smell of my daughter's blood filled the air.
"Dad, Lily fell down the stairs, she's... she's..." Kathy's voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes.
I bent down and carefully lifted Lily. When she opened her mouth, I saw it was full of blood, and tears streamed down her cheeks. A powerful wave of protective rage surged through me—anger at myself for not being there to prevent this.
"Anna! Get the car ready! We're going to the hospital!" I commanded urgently.
As I carried Lily quickly toward the door, I completely ignored Emma who had rushed over. In that moment, my world contained only my injured daughter.