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OLIVIA’S POV

My phone buzzed gently against the armrest of the couch, the screen lighting up with a message from my mom.

“We justnded at the airport, honey.”

I felt a sudden mix of relief, nerves, and a rush of excitement bloom in my chest. Even though I’d been dreading this day a little, knowing it would bring its own set of challenges I still couldn’t deny that familiar warmth that came whenever I thought of my family.

“My parents havended, so I’m going to go pick them,” I said aloud, turning toward Damien, who had been lounging on the other end of the couch, scrolling through something on his phone.

He let out a softugh and shook his head, “Come with you? And let your mom see me? She’d cut my head off before I could even say ‘hello?” He pushed himself up to stand, still chuckling. “Honestly, I’m d you stopped them froming to the hotel right away. Who knows what your mom would have done to me.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of Damien, a grown man who had faced corporate sharks and legal battles, admitting openly that he was terrified of my mom. “I didn’t know you were scared of my moms,” I teased, folding my arms over my chest and raising a brow.

“Oh, I am. Very much,” he said with exaggerated seriousness, giving a small mock bow. “When you all have settled in and your mom isn’t looking to grill someone, then I’ll drop by. At least they already know I came with you to New York, so it won’t be a total shock.”

“Alright then, I’ll see you in the evening,” I said, a small smile still lingering on my lips.

“Hopefully, by then, you’d have cooked your special spaghetti and meatballs,” he called over his shoulder as he reached the door.

“Spaghetti and meatballs? You mean your bribe?” I teased.

“Exactlyi,/ii” /ihe replied,ughing, and gently pulled the door shut behind him.

As the lock clicked, silence settled over the room, and the reality of what I needed to do next began to weigh on me. I let out a deep breath and headed toward the bathroom. The cool ssh of water and the fresh scent of my face wash helped ground me, even if only for a moment. I dried my face with a fluffy white towel, catching my own reflection in the mirror, a woman trying to juggle a hundred roles all at once: mother, daughter, businesswoman, and someone seeking justice and revenge all at the same time.

I picked out a simple yet elegant outfit that felt appropriate for seeing my parents and, most importantly, Charlie. ra wouldn’t being with me today; she had stayed behind to oversee preparations for the house we were moving into. Knowing she was handling that gave me some peace of mind.

Once I was dressed, I walked briskly to the lobby where my small convoy waited. The tinted ck SUVS shimmered under the morning sun, and I slipped into the back seat of the lead car. As we drove off, my mind ran in circles, part strategy, part worry, part anticipation. Seeing my parents again was always a reminder of how deeply rooted I was in this life, and seeing Charlie… well, that was something my heart needed

more than I realized.

The city blurred by through the window, until finally, the airport came into view. My gaze shifted immediately to the private section reserved for our family’s nes, and the sight that greeted me was almostical. The jet my father had arrived in wasn’t just a jet, it was practically a flying pce, dwarfing my own by several meters. For a moment, my mouth fell open, and I shook my head, unable to stop a quietugh. Of course, Dad would upgrade to something like this without even mentioning it.

Maybe it’s time I upgraded mine too, I thought, amusement mixing with pride.

As I stepped out of the car, I spotted them. My parents were walking together, luggage in hand, side by side as always, my father’s posture straight andmanding despite the trip, and my mother’s eyes scanning the area, searching. But what made my heart skip a beat was the

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small figure racing ahead of them, weaving between airport staff and guards.

“Charlie!” I called out, my voice cracking just a bit with emotion.

His little feet barely seemed to touch the ground as he ran, the biggest smile lighting up his face. I crouched down, arms open, ready to catch him. He crashed into me with all the force his small body could manage, and I wrapped my arms around him, lifting him slightly off the ground.

“Mommy missed you so much,” I whispered against his hair, breathing in the familiar scent of his shampoo and the pure, bright energy only a child could have. “How have you been?”

“I missed you too, Mum!” he said, voice breathless but full ofughter. His cheeks were a little rounder than when I left, and I couldn’t help but tease him.

“You’ve gotten heavier, hmm?” I poked his nose gently. “Were you using your power as the man of the house to remove all the food restrictions?”

Charlie giggled, leaning his forehead against mine in a way that made my chest tighten with love. Hisughter was an answer on its own.

As my parents caught up, my father gave me a nod that said everything words didn’t need to, and my mother’s eyes were already glistening. I carefully set Charlie back on his feet before turning to hug her.

“Hi, Mom,” I murmured as she wrapped her arms around me, squeezing just enough to make me wince.

“How have you been?” she asked, pulling back only to p my shoulder gently, her brows drawn in mock scolding.

“Ow!” Haughed softly, rubbing the spot. “I’m sorry, Mom. I was actually nning oning back to Mexico in less than a week, until Dad told me about the announcement. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“You hadn’te to see us for over two months, and now you run off to New York?” she huffed, but her eyes softened immediately as she pulled me back into another hug.

“I’ve missed you so much, honey,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

“I missed you too, Mom.” I returned the embrace, warmth flooding through me despite everything else swirling around my life. Her love was overwhelming sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

When we finally stepped apart, my dad ced a hand on my shoulder, his eyes sharp but gentle. “You look tired,” he noted.

“I’m fine, Dad. Just a lot on my mind,” I admitted.

“I can imagine,” he said, nodding once. “We’ll help however we can. But remember–you don’t have to carry everything alone.”

I swallowed hard, grateful but also reminded that some battles were mine alone to fight.

Besid

Chalis

Iu

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“m, can “.

rehead

— his voicr

Jl…

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