The morning sun was over the horizon when the private jet touched down. It taxied smoothly across the tarmac of the private airfield belonging to Yuri's family.
"We've arrived," Ethan said, breaking the silence of the cabin.
Yuri nodded quietly and stood up, smoothing her clothes.
Outside, Madison, Allen, and Yuri's grandfather were already waiting. The moment Yuri stepped off the passenger stairs, Madison rushed forward, throwing her arms around her.
"Yuri! Thank God you're okay," Madison breathed, her voice thick with a strange, overwhelming relief.
Their grandfather stepped up next, wrapping his arms around both of his granddaughters. Tears welled in the old man's eyes. "Yuri... I am so incredibly happy to see you safe."
A few paces away, Allen walked over to Ethan and extended a hand. "Hey."
Ethan took it, giving it a firm shake. "Hey."
As Yuri and her grandfather began walking toward the waiting car, Madison turned back to Ethan. "Please, come with us," she offered.
Allen looked at Ethan, waiting for his cue, but Ethan shook his head. A strange, heavy sensation had settled in his chest the moment he stepped off the jet—an urge he couldn't shake.
"I'm sorry, but I need to see my mother first," Ethan said.
Allen and Madison exchanged a glance, then nodded understandingly. Ethan turned and walked toward the airport exit, hailing a local taxi. Just as he was pulling the cab door shut, his eyes caught the shape of another private jet descending from the clouds, lining up with the runway he had just left. He watched it for a split second before the taxi pulled away.
Before long, Ethan was standing outside his front door. His heart hammered against his ribs, a sudden wave of nervousness washing over him. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
"Mother." Ethan called.
"You're back, Ethan," his mother's voice called out from the kitchen.
A genuine smile finally touched Ethan's face. His heart came at ease.
"Come, sit down," she said, gesturing to the table.
Ethan joined her for breakfast. As they ate, his mother gently questioned him about his trip, and he kept his answers light and steady. But as the plates were cleared, a sudden, heavy silence fell over the room.
Ethan cleared his throat. "Mother... I missed you."
His mother smiled warmly. "I missed you too."
"There was no need to worry," Ethan added softly.
"I can't help it," she replied, her eyes softening. "I was terrified that something might happen to you."
Ethan's smile widened slightly. "Thank you for looking out for me, Mother."
She smiled.
He paused, the silence stretching between them again. He stared at his hands for a moment, then looked up. "Mother."
She met his gaze. "Yes?"
"There's something I need to ask you," Ethan said, his tone shifting to something more serious.
"Of course. What is it?"
"Do I have any other siblings... besides Daisy?"
His mother's eyes instantly widened. The warmth left her face, and she looked down at the table, completely frozen.
Before she could answer, her phone cut through the tension, ringing loudly. She answered it hastily, speaking in hushed tones before hanging up. When she looked back at Ethan, her expression was a carefully constructed mask.
"Ethan, I have to go to work. We'll talk about this when I get back," she said quickly.
Ethan nodded, suppressing his curiosity. "Okay, Mother."
She stood up, retreated to her room for a minute, and then hurried out of the house without another word.
Left alone at the table, Ethan leaned back. Why did her expression change like that? he thought, his mind racing.
There's definitely something she's hiding from me.
The sound of a door opening broke his train of thought. Daisy stepped out of her room, blinking sleepily.
"Hi, big brother! You're back?" she asked, brightening up.
Ethan nodded. "How have you been, Daisy?"
"Good! I've just been hanging out with my friends," Daisy said, pulling out a chair.
Ethan leaned forward, deciding to test the waters on another matter. "Daisy... do you really think forgiving Olivia was the smart move?"
Daisy nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. Deep down, she's actually a really nice girl."
Ethan gave a slow nod, processing her words.
"But the thing is," Daisy continued, her tone dropping, "Enzo was arrested. He's going to spend a long time in jail. Olivia is devastated. I mean, Enzo was evil, yeah... but he was also the one who rescued Olivia from that hell."
"Hell?" Ethan questioned, catching the word.
"Yes. Olivia had a really tragic past," Daisy sighed.
Ethan stared at his sister. "Daisy..."
She looked up at him, waiting.
Should I ask her about what Mother is hiding? Ethan thought, hesitating. He looked at her innocent expression and decided against it.
"It's nothing," he said, offering a small smile.
Daisy nodded.