Lynda left, and Millie never asked Myron again. They all seemed to understand more than they said.

Millie looked at Ari and finally replied, “We’ll take our time with him. No rush.”

“I heard from your dad that you really stepped up this past year, handling things at the company,” Millie added with a smile.

Ari lifted her chin proudly, her eyes sparkling. “Of course. I’m your daughter!”

Millie cupped her cheek, remembering the girl she used to be — bright, eager, confident, proud of her father. Just like that, she kissed Ari again, making her blush.

Millie found it adorable.

Soon, Maggie arrived to take Ari to school. Myron returned after his meeting with her doctors.

Millie mentioned the gifts Brandon had sent earlier. Myron didn’t mind — he had once let Ari accept a tanzanite jewelry set from Brandon for the same reason.

After a pause, Millie added, “We should also look out for Ari’s biological parents as much as we can. They did abandon her, but giving them something now might prevent problems later.”

Ari’s name had spread through Crobert. Even Alexia had mentioned it in passing.

Myron exhaled. “There’s nothing to worry about. Months ago, her biological father drove drunk with a car full of people. None of them survived.” He continued, “Ari knows. I took her to their graves.”

Millie froze for a moment, then nodded slowly. “How did she react?” she asked quietly.

“She cried a bit. But since they left her so early, she barely remembered them. She moved on. While you were unconscious, I checked — neither one ever visited her.” He paused. “Not a single time.”

Millie was stunned, then thoughtful. Life really didn’t move in straight lines. Years ago, they had thrown Ari away like she was nothing. Later, when they learned she was living under the protection of Crobert’s most powerful family, what had gone through their minds? Neither Millie nor Ari knew. No one would ever know.

Millie let out a long breath and shook her head. Myron rested a hand on her shoulder.

“Millie, focus on getting better. I’ll take care of the rest,” he said gently.

She looked at him and smiled softly. “Alright. I trust you, Ronnie.”

Three days went by in a blink. Millie’s strength returned slowly but surely, and her condition had stabilized.

At JM Investments, the workday was as full as ever. Rumors drifted through the office, yet no one dared ask questions. Still, beneath their silence, a quiet hope remained. A year had passed, and they still remembered vividly the woman who had once led them forward.

At JM Investments, the team finally had a short break. A few coworkers relaxed with warm cups of coffee as they talked.

“What’s going on next door? It’s been loud for days,” one of them asked.

“No clue,” a tall colleague replied, taking another sip. “Maybe a new company is moving in. The place has been empty for a long time.”

The others nodded in agreement.

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