"Welcome, Mrs. Hills." The guard in a black suit opened the car door for Kathleen.
She stepped down, the cold marble beneath her heels making her shiver. "Thank you," she murmured, bowing slightly.
The guard blinked, caught off guard—no one in the Hills family ever bowed. Not even in the other jobs he'd done with rich families.
The triplets tumbled out behind her, running through the grand entrance as the lined-up guards swerved out of their way.
"May I help you carry that, Mrs. Hills?" a maid offered, eyeing the box of cupcakes in Kathleen's arms.
"No, it's fine. I've got it." She smiled, and the maid blushed under the warmth of her voice.
Franklin, the butler, approached with his usual poise. "This way, Mrs. Hills."
As she followed, her arms ached from holding the box, but she didn't complain. At least the weight distracted her from the memory of the man with golden eyes standing in her living room earlier that day.
'It had to be the alcohol. She wanted to ask Siri if alcohol makes people hallucinate that much.
Franklin retreated to his original position, waiting to welcome other members of the Hills family.
On the balcony, she looked for a spot to place her cupcakes, but the table was already crowded with other desserts.
"Cupcakes?" a familiar voice teased.
"Veronica," Kathleen said with a small smile, hugging Wesley's younger sister lightly.
"And look, you brought your ritual offering. Perfect. Grandma's already drooling over her favorite grandson."
Kathleen's smile faltered. "He's—He's here already?"
"Of course. Arrived an hour ago." Veronica smirked, reaching for a cupcake. "Mind if I steal one?"
"Go ahead."
As Veronica took a bite, she paused, before leaning closer. "Wait. Did you—put alcohol in these?"
Kathleen just looked away.
"Oh my God, you *did.*" Veronica snorted. "Are you drunk right now?"
Kathleen laughed weakly, brushing her hair back. The sound was brittle. "Maybe just… trying to survive the day."
"Wow, you're really turning to the wild side, huh? Though I'm not sure Wesley's gonna love that."
Kath frowned from the mention of Wesley again. "I don't—I don't need his approval."
"Since when?" Veronica plucked the box from her hands. "We can't give Grandma Bev alcohol. Let's switch these out before she notices."
Somewhere else in the mansion…
"You're staying this time, aren't you?" Grandma Bev's voice trembled with both affection and authority.
The Adonis with golden eyes beside her sighed. "Grandmother."
"Don't you dare tell me you're running off again. I just got you back."
He set his cup down, slowly. "You were aware of the reason I left."
"I know it wasn't easy," she said softly, "but you can't keep punishing yourself by leaving every time something happens."
He chuckled under his breath. "It's not punishment, Grandma. It's called retreating to your safe space. These days, we call it self-care."
"You this child," she scolded with affection, tapping his arm. "Overseas has made you sound like a woman."
He smiled lightly, his eyes flickered briefly toward the window. "Maybe it's better that way. Women know how to survive things men pretend they don't feel."
Bev frowned a little, as if she'd caught something in his tone, but before she could ask, one of the maids tending to her gave her a little cup containing her evening drugs.
"So, no more leaving?" she pressed.
"No, Grandmother. I'm staying. This time, I have unfinished business." His phone vibrated in his pocket.
He checked the screen before rising smoothly to his feet.
"Unfinished business?" She raised her brow.
"Grandma!" three voices cried in unison, making her expression soften immediately.
"My little angels!" She opened her arms wide for the triplets, hugging them close. "Oh, haven't I warned you guys? It's great grandma to you."
"But Mommy calls you grandma," Jason said.
"That's because your Mommy can," she teased, tickling them. "Now—where's your mother?"
Out on the balcony, Veronica was still swapping trays when a maid appeared. "Mrs. Hills, Grandma Bev is requesting for you."
"Now?"
"Yes, ma'am. She said immediately."
Kathleen sighed, picking up the new box. "Fine, I'm coming."
Veronica watched her leave before glancing at the remaining cupcakes. "Guess these are mine now," she said under her breath, licking the frosting.
"Daddy hasn't been home lately."
Kathleen froze in the doorway. Jason was perched on Grandma Bev's lap, speaking between bites of candy.
"Is Kathleen here yet?"
Kathleen forced a polite smile. "Yes, Grandma."
"Good. Maybe you can tell me where that husband of yours is hiding. He missed his children's birthday party, and I'm not pleased."
Kathleen's brows rose slightly. "Isn't he already here—"
The door opened behind her, revealing the last persons she wanted to see.
"Grandmother," Wesley smiled, bowing slightly as she rushed to sit beside her. But grandma Bev didn't resist the urge to treat him like a child.
She pulled his ear, making him wince in pain. "You think you can just treat my great grandchildren like garbage and except me to smile back?!"
"Grandmother, what are you talking about?"
She raised her fists. "You this child. You better not be messing around. Cause if I found out you aren't treating Kathleen and her children right, I'll cut off that pride of yours."