There was a knock on the door and Elara and Kane woke up. Elara went to open it and a woman in her late twenties entered.
"Oh, Kane," she said, stepping inside, "where is Nick?"
She rushed straight toward the little boy. Elara glanced at Emily, who was still sitting on the bed. Emily quickly climbed down and tugged her mother's hand.
Elara bent to her daughter. "Come, Emily, let's go home now," she whispered gently. Kane's eyes followed her from where he sat on the sofa, but he didn't stop her. Elara gave Nick one last soft look, then quietly walked out of the room with Emily, closing the door behind them.
Inside, Isabella cupped Nick's face in her hands. "Oh, my darling, where were you? I was so worried."
Nick only nodded, his eyes red from crying. Isabella fussed over him, then finally turned to Kane. "How are you, Kane? Are you fine?" she asked, moving closer to him on the sofa. "You know what Nick needs, don't you? A mother. And your grandfather is also concerned for you. He wants you to get married."
"I don't want to marry," Kane said flatly.
Isabella's smile faltered. She stood, her heels clicking angrily against the floor as she stormed out.
Outside, she slipped into her car, frustration burning. Her phone rang, and she answered sharply. "Miss Smith? Yes, they found Nick. He's fine." Her voice broke, and she yelled into the receiver, "But he doesn't want to marry! I don't know how long it will take him to agree. I cannot wait. I have a new plan."
---
That night, Elara returned home with Emily. The little girl was already asleep, curled up like a kitten. Elara stroked her hair, feeling the day's events weigh on her. She thought of Nick—so small, so fragile, and yet so much like Emily. Their eyes, their expressions… the resemblance was striking.
Her thoughts went back to the hospital when her twins were born. One of them had been taken away, and she was never told if it was a boy or a girl. The memory clawed at her heart, but she shook her head. As she thought about Isabella oh she could be Nick's mother , I should just stop with my overthinking. She thinks
---
The next morning, Elara woke to see Emily fiddling with her phone.
"What are you doing, Emily?" Elara asked, still sleepy.
Emily jumped. "Oh, nothing. I was just searching Nick's name in you contact list."
Elara laughed. "Silly girl. I don't have his number."
"But you have Kane's and it's one and the same thing ," Emily said slyly.
Elara sat up sharply. "Emily! No! You cannot text my boss." She grabbed the phone just in time, but a message had already been sent: Miss you ❤️😘.
"Emily!" Elara groaned. "This is not okay!" She immediately called Kane.
"Mr. Willson, I'm so sorry," she said breathlessly. "It was Emily. She was trying to contact Nick. Please forgive her."
On the other end, Kane only hummed and said oh Emily.
Then Nick's small voice broke through. "Daddy, please give me the phone. I want to talk."
Kane passed it to his son. "Hello?" Nick said shyly. "I'm Nick. How are you? And how is your… plan?"
"Plan?" Elara repeated, frowning.
Before she could ask more, Emily snatched the phone. "Oh, it's our game, Mommy. Nothing else!"
"You're a little duck, Nick!" she teased.
Nick gasped. "No I am not a duck , silly Emily ?"
"Yes ," Emily said proudly. "You're a dumb little duck you could have spilled our plan right now ,if wasn't for me ."
The children laughed, and Elara and Kane both confused looking at the children being this friendly from the last meeting, unsure what this "duck game" meant, but clearly the kids had already built a small world of their own.
---
Later, Kane called Elara to his office. She walked in nervously, but before she could speak, Nick ran to her, wrapping his tiny arms around her waist.
"Where's Emily?" he asked urgently.
"She's with the caretaker," Elara answered, brushing his hair back gently. She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
Kane's deep voice broke the quiet. "He's been asking for you all morning. He won't sit quietly unless you're nearby."
Elara's heart softened. She didn't understand why Nick trusted her so completely, and she couldn't turn away. He was same as his daughter to her and she started liking him.
---
Later in the evening, Elara received an text from an unknown number. She opened it. Welcome to the Engagement Party. At the bottom was the name Milli. Elara rolled her eyes, sighing. She knew she would have to go.
---
Meanwhile, Isabella came to Kane's office, carrying a box of ice cream. She entered with her usual practiced smile. "Where's my little darling?" she asked.
Nick was with Elara when they returned. Isabella rushed to him. "Nick, sweetheart, I brought your favorite. Come here."
But Nick clutched Elara's hand tightly. "No," he said firmly.
Elara knelt beside him. "Go on, Nick. Your mom brought ice cream for you."
Nick's voice wavered. "She's not my mom."
The room went silent. Elara's eyes widened. "Nick… what do you mean?"
Nick shook his head. "I don't know who my mom is… Will you be my mom?"
Elara's heart melted. She hugged him tightly. "Yes, sweetheart. I will."
Nick's face lit up like the sun.
Isabella forced a smile, stepping closer. "Nick, don't be silly. Aren't you happy to see me?" She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry I left early yesterday. I had some work, you know."
Nick only buried his face deeper into Elara's shoulder.
Elara stood slowly, realizing the moment was no longer hers. She whispered, "I'll… give you some space," and quietly left the room, leaving Kane on the sofa with Isabella and Nick.
Kane's eyes darkened, taking in the scene—the boy refusing Isabella, the woman's disappointment, and the quiet strength of the mother who had just walked away.