The Stone mansion stood like a monument to perfection—columns carved with gold vines, windows gleaming like polished mirrors beneath the moon. As the limousine rolled to a halt, the massive gates opened before them as if welcoming royalty home.
Kayla's heart pounded as she stepped out. Her heels clicked softly against the marble drive, echoing in the silence of the estate. Beside her, Luke clutched her hand tightly, his blue eyes scanning the unfamiliar world.
The head butler, Mr. Graves, and the head maid, Mrs. Ellison, were already waiting at the door, bowing deeply.
"Welcome home, Lord Stone," the butler greeted. His tone was respectful, his eyes briefly flicking to Kayla and Luke. "The east wing has been prepared for Lady Kayla and the young master."
Kayla's grip tightened on Luke's hand. Lady Kayla. The title felt heavy, foreign.
Luke flinched when one of the maids reached for his coat. Kayla quickly pulled him close. "It's all right, sweetheart," she whispered. "Mommy's got you."
Mrs. Ellison bowed slightly. "We'll take great care of him, madam."
Kayla shook her head politely. "I'll take care of my son myself."
William glanced back at her, a flicker of understanding in his eyes, but said nothing. He led the way through the grand hallway — all marble floors, portraits of ancestors, and gold chandeliers that caught the light like stars.
At the east wing, William stopped. "Your rooms are here. Everything you need has been arranged."
Kayla nodded silently, her voice lost in the enormity of it all.
---
That night, Luke couldn't sleep. His small hands kept fidgeting with his blanket, eyes darting toward the door each time it creaked.
"Mom," he whispered, "what if they touch me when you're gone?"
Her heart broke a little. "No one will, baby. I promise. Mommy's right here."
It took nearly an hour before his eyelids fluttered closed. She sat by him a while longer, brushing her fingers through his blond hair until his breathing steadied.
When she finally slipped out, the hall was quiet — too quiet. She followed the faint light from the study, knowing who she would find there.
William sat at the grand desk, half-dressed down from his suit, a cup of untouched tea beside a stack of documents.
"You're still awake," Kayla said softly.
He looked up, eyes faintly tired. "Couldn't sleep. I've been thinking about Luke's schooling."
She stepped closer. "School?"
"Yes," William said, leaning back in his chair. "He deserves the best education — private, secure, discreet. Somewhere that understands his… condition."
Her brows furrowed. "You read the report?"
"I did," he said simply. "OCD, social anxiety, night terrors, and isolation since Maxwell's disappearance. A normal school might be too harsh for him."
"I know," she said quietly. "But I don't want him treated like a case study, William. He's just… a boy. My boy."
William's tone softened. "I understand. That's why I want him somewhere he can be both — protected and free. There's a place not far from the city — Ravenshade Academy. Small classes. Personal tutors. Security. I can arrange it immediately."
Kayla crossed her arms, still cautious. "You sound like you already made the decision."
His lips curved faintly. "I don't make decisions without asking the mother."
She looked down, conflicted. "Maxwell always said he'd go to a normal school. He didn't want Luke to grow up… like this."
"I'm not trying to turn him into a Stone," William replied. "I'm trying to make sure he lives long enough to decide what he wants to be."
That silenced her.
She met his eyes — blue, steady, and painfully familiar. "You really think we're in danger?"
William didn't blink. "I know we are."
Kayla's breath hitched, but before she could speak, he added, "I'll handle it. Just let Luke be a boy again. Let me deal with the world that took Maxwell."
For a moment, neither moved. The rain tapped against the windows — slow, rhythmic, distant.
Finally, she whispered, "Thank you… for thinking about him."
William looked down at the documents again, his voice quiet but firm. "I'm not doing this just for him, Kayla. I made a promise — to his father."
Their eyes met — not in love, not yet — but in something deeper. A shared grief, bound by duty and the shadow of a man they both lost.
The morning light slipped through the mansion's tall windows like gold dust. The rain had finally stopped, leaving the gardens glittering and still.
When Kayla entered the dining hall, the smell of buttered croissants and roasted coffee filled the air. The long mahogany table stretched beneath a chandelier, already set with silver and porcelain. William was seated at the head, reading through a file, but he looked up the moment they stepped in.
Luke followed closely beside his mother. He looked striking — dressed neatly in a white shirt, a black vest, and long trousers. Black gloves covered his hands, the only sign of his quiet anxiety. His hair was brushed back neatly, the golden strands catching the sunlight like threads of light.
William's gaze softened. "You look ready for your first day, Luke."
Luke nodded politely, his voice calm but small. "Thank you… sir."
William rose and walked around the table, crouching slightly so he was at Luke's height. His hand gently brushed the boy's hair — something no one else dared to do. Luke stiffened for a second but didn't pull away. He looked up, studying the man's face — those same blue eyes, that same calm presence.
Kayla froze, watching. He doesn't mind… because he looks like Max, she realized.
William smiled faintly. "Your father would be proud of you."
Luke's lips curved into the smallest smile — faint, shy, but real.
They took their seats, the morning light reflecting off the fine cutlery. Servants moved quietly, placing plates before them — eggs, toast, and fresh fruit.
"Today," William began, setting his cup down, "you'll be meeting the head of your new school — Ravenshade Academy. It's not far from here. It's one of the most respected institutions in the country."
Kayla looked up from her plate, cautious. "You said it's full of elites."
"It is," William said smoothly. "But not the kind that look down on others. It's private — carefully chosen students. My business partner Charles's son attends there as well. He's about your age, Luke. You two will get along."
Luke tilted his head slightly. "Is he nice?"
William chuckled softly. "He's a handful, but he's loyal. You'll like him once he stops talking."
Kayla smiled faintly at the sound of Luke's soft laugh — the first real one since Maxwell's death. It made her heart ache and heal at the same time.
"You've arranged everything already?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," William replied, taking a sip of coffee. "Uniform, materials, security. Everything is taken care of. You won't have to worry about anything."
Kayla frowned a little. "That's easy for you to say. Worrying is all I have left."
William met her eyes over the table, steady but gentle. "Then let me carry it for a while."
She looked away, pretending to fix Luke's collar just to hide the way her chest tightened.
Luke watched them both curiously, not understanding the silent war of emotions across the table. "When do we leave?" he asked.
William smiled. "After breakfast. I'll take you myself."
---
As they finished eating, William folded his napkin neatly, standing with effortless grace. "Go say goodbye to your room for now, Luke. We'll head out in ten minutes."
Luke nodded, leaving the table quietly.
Once he was gone, Kayla sighed softly, her hand curling around her coffee cup. "You're really doing all this… for Max?"
William looked at her, his voice low. "For him. For you. And for the boy who still has his eyes."
The room fell silent again, but this time, it wasn't heavy — it was filled with something unspoken. Something new.