Elara was sitting at her desk, sorting some files when the intercom buzzed.
She pressed the button. "Mr. Willison, your grandmother and Miss Isabella are here to see you."
There was a pause before his deep voice came through. "Send them in."
A moment later, the glass doors opened. Kane's grandmother entered first, graceful and proud even with her cane tapping softly on the floor. Isabella followed, dressed in a white dress that looked expensive, her smile polite but clearly practiced.
"Good morning, Mrs. Willison," Elara greeted politely.
"Good morning, dear," the old woman said kindly, her eyes soft. "You look lovely today."
"Thank you, ma'am." Elara smiled, then stepped aside as Kane stood up to greet them.
"Grandma," Kane said, moving quickly to her side. "You should've told me you were coming. I'd have picked you up."
His grandmother chuckled. "You're always too busy for small things like that. I didn't come here for tea, Kane. I came because I'm upset with you."
Kane frowned. "Upset? Why? What did I do this time?"
She looked at him for a long moment. "You gave me a grandson, and I'm thankful for that. But that boy needs a mother, Kane. You can't raise Nick all alone."
Kane sighed deeply, his hand running through his hair. "Grandma, please. You wanted me to have a child, and I did that. I've kept my promise. Don't ask me for more."
Her voice turned stern. "If you refuse again, I'll have to take something from you."
He raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
"I'll remove you from my inheritance," she said firmly.
Kane stared at her in disbelief. "You're serious?"
"I am," she said quietly. "You've built a company, yes, but you've forgotten what matters most — family. Nick needs a mother, and you need a wife who can stand beside you."
Kane's voice grew lower. "Who do you want me to marry then?"
His grandmother's lips curved into a faint smile as she turned her gaze to Isabella. "Isabella," she said simply. "She's kind, mature, and she already loves Nick like her own."
Kane turned toward Isabella. Her soft smile didn't fade. "Mrs. Willison is right," she said gently. "I care for Nick deeply, and I only want what's best for him — and for you, Kane."
He looked between them — the grandmother's firm stare and Isabella's calm eyes — and something inside him twisted. After a long silence, he finally said, voice heavy,
"Alright, Grandma… if that's what you want, I'll do it."
His grandmother smiled with satisfaction and patted his hand. "You're making the right choice, my boy."
But as Kane looked away, his chest felt tight. For the first time, he wasn't sure if he was agreeing out of duty… or fear of losing everything.
___
Kane sat at his desk, checking his watch again. "Where is she?" he muttered.
He picked up the intercom and pressed the button. "Ask Miss Vance to come to my office."
A few seconds later, Ethan's voice came through. "Sir, Miss Vance isn't in the building."
Kane frowned. "What do you mean she's not in the building?"
"She took a half-day leave, sir," Ethan replied. "Said it was something important. I tried to ask but… she didn't say much."
Kane leaned back, frustration showing on his face. "And no one thought to tell me?"
Ethan hesitated. "She left in a hurry."
Before Kane could respond, a small voice spoke up behind him.
"Dad… she's not coming?"
Nick stood at the doorway, his face already falling.
Kane sighed, softening his tone. "Hey, buddy. She probably just had something important to do."
"But you promised!" Nick's eyes welled up, his little fists curling. "You said Emily would come!"
Seeing his son's tears made something twist inside Kane. He knelt in front of him. "Alright, alright. Stop crying, champ. We'll go see her, okay?"
Nick sniffled. "Really?"
"Really," Kane said, grabbing his car keys. "Let's go."
---
A short while later, Kane parked outside Elara's apartment building. He rang the doorbell twice.
Inside, Elara was busy sorting Emily's clothes. When she heard the bell, she frowned. "Who's here now?" she muttered, wiping her hands and heading to the door.
When she opened it, she froze.
Kane stood there, looking effortlessly composed in his dark shirt — and next to him was Nick, already smiling.
"Mr. Willison?" she said, surprised.
Before she could say anything more, Nick ran forward and hugged her legs. "Hi, Miss Elara! Where's Emily?"
Elara blinked in surprise, then smiled softly. "She's sleeping, Nick. Come in."
Nick grinned and ran inside, calling out, "Emily! Wake up!"
Kane stepped in after him, his tone calm but direct. "You left early today."
Elara sighed. "Yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Willison. Emily had an allergy reaction at her kindergarten. She accidentally ate a peach slice, and I had to rush to the doctor."
Kane's brows lifted slightly. "Peach?"
She nodded. "Yes, she's allergic."
Kane's expression softened. "Nick is too."
Elara paused, her eyes widening. "Nick… is allergic to peaches?"
"Yes," Kane said simply.
For a moment, her thoughts spun wildly. Same allergy… same eyes… same smile… Could it really be—?
Trying to shake it off, she asked quietly, "When was Nick born?"
Kane looked a bit puzzled but answered anyway. "February second. Why?"
Elara quickly shook her head. "Oh, nothing" . Emily was born January first. sge thought.
Kane watching her carefully.
After a pause, she hesitated again. "If you don't mind me asking… what about Nick's mother?"
Kane's jaw tightened slightly. "That's… not something I talk about, Miss Vance."
Elara nodded quickly, sensing his tone. "I understand."
Before the silence could stretch, a little voice called out from the bedroom.
"Mommy?"
Emily stood at the doorway, rubbing her eyes — and the moment she saw Nick, her face lit up.
"Nick!" she squealed.
Nick turned instantly. "Emily!"
They both ran to each other, giggling, like they'd been friends forever.
Kane and Elara stood quietly by the door, watching the two kids laugh and play together.
For a moment, neither spoke. Then Kane said softly, "They get along well."
Elara smiled faintly, though her heart was full of questions she couldn't ask. "Yeah… they really do."