Shane's breathing grew ragged.

Luna felt the heat radiating from his body, her cheeks flushing instantly. She turned her face away. "I should go."

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Let me walk you."

"No." She gestured pointedly. "In your condition?"

Shane glanced down, his ears burning red. "Sorry... I can't help it."

"I get it." She pushed the car door open. "The neighborhood's safe."

He struggled to stand but sank back down. "Text me when you're home."

"Mm."

Luna hurried toward her house.

The living room lights blazed brightly.

Her parents sat stiffly on the couch, clearly waiting for her.

"Luna." Vincent called out as she headed upstairs.

She paused.

"Audrey has no living relatives." Vincent's expression darkened. "Yet Victor claims Shane is her nephew. It doesn't add up."

Luna frowned.

"I suspect," Vincent lowered his voice, "Shane might be Victor's illegitimate son."

"Ridiculous!" Her voice sharpened.

Gwendolyn interjected, "We think he could be the Sullivan heir who went missing."

Luna scoffed. "Since when did you start investigating him?"

"It's for your own good." Gwendolyn stood. "We need confirmation."

"And if he's not?"

Gwendolyn avoided her gaze. "Let's confirm first."

"Pathetic." Luna turned on her heel. "I expected better from intellectuals."

Gwendolyn followed her upstairs. "There's nothing wrong with being practical."

"I'll think about it." She pulled out her phone. "I have messages to return."

Gwendolyn's face brightened instantly. "Don't keep him waiting."

Watching her mother's rapid mood shift, Luna felt a chill in her chest.

......

The night deepened.

Victor stood outside an apartment building clutching two bouquets.

The call connected.

"Get lost." Audrey's crisp dismissal came through.

He was accustomed to this. "I gave our son a car today."

"Showing off." She snorted. "Learn some humility from Kyle."

"Don't mention him." Victor's brow furrowed. "It ruins the mood."

The line went dead.

After a long wait, he slipped into the elevator behind a resident.

He keyed in Shane's birthday and pushed the door open.

Audrey sat in the study, sketching designs.

Leaning against the doorframe, he watched her focused profile.

His younger self had recognized true brilliance.

Twenty minutes later.

Audrey turned—and startled at the sudden silhouette.

"Are you insane?" She snapped.

Victor presented the flowers. "I dropped hints to Vincent today."

"Not worried about your empire anymore?"

"It'll go to the children eventually." Alcohol loosened his tongue. "Ethan's the best successor."

Her fingers trembled slightly. "When are you retiring?"

Victor suddenly grew alert. "You'd leave once I hand over control?"

She wordlessly shut down her computer.

"Thirty-one years." His voice turned hoarse. "Can't we make this work?"

Memories rose in Audrey's chest like bile.

"Just go."

He set the flowers down. "Come home sometimes."

"Cut back on drinking." She wrinkled her nose. "You get maudlin."

He looked wounded. "I'm older—I want to take care of you."

"Enough!" Audrey's eyes reddened abruptly. "If not for you—"

Victor's chest constricted. "About the kidney—"

"Get out!"

Rain sheeted down.

The chauffeur struggled with an umbrella.

Victor stood drenched, yet the cold in his heart ran deeper.

In the car, Ethan called: "Mom says drive carefully."

Warmth flickered in his chest. "She still cares."

"Don't flatter yourself." His son doused the hope. "She's worried about Grandparents' disapproval."

Victor laughed bitterly. "Humans are masochists."

"Accurate self-assessment."

After hanging up, he lowered the partition.

On the thirteenth attempt, Audrey finally answered.

"What now?"

Victor's pulse quickened. "I think... I love you."

Silence stretched.

"Go to hell." The line died.

To the dial tone, he whispered, "More than I ever realized."