Andrews ears were sharper than the butlers. Hed already caught wind of the commotion outside and, naturally, hadnt missed that grating Andy.

The rage smoldered hotter in his chest. Who gave her the right to call him that?

Hazel burst through the door, her heart pounding with excitement. She didnt even get the chance to sweep her son into the crushing hug shed imagined before his thunderous roar stopped her in her tracks.

Get out! Stay the hell away from me! Andrews voice was sharp enough to cut stone.

Hazel froze. She hadnt expected her grown son to turn into such a stranger. But then her eyes fell on the thin chain around his neckthe necklace shed once made for him. Her steadiness returned.

No matter how tall he grew, he was still her baby.

Taking a slow breath, Hazel softened her tone. Andy, I know this sounds incredible, but

Im not listening to this. Andrew wasnt looking at her anymore. He turned on his heel, his focus narrowing on the man whod walked in behind her. Rising from his chair, Andrewnow twenty and just as tall as his fatherclosed the gap between them in an instant.

Why the hell would you do this? My mom isnt someone you can just replace with any random woman off the street! What gives you the right? Have you completely lost your mind?

A bitter laugh spilled from him. Clearly you have. Youve gone insane.

Father and son, the two who should have known each other best in the world, now stared at one another like sworn enemies. The hatred burning in Andrews eyes made Hazels heart recoil.

Gabriel, on the other hand, remained calm. He crossed the room to Hazels side and gently took her hand, tucking it securely over his arm.

Come to the study, he said evenly, looking at Andrew.

As it turned out, a truth this far-fetched was hard to swallow.

Behind the closed study doors, Gabriel laid everything out. Despite the explanation, Andrews fury didnt abate.

To get her through the door, youd sink so low as to cook up such an outrageous lie? Andrew felt thoroughly insulted, convinced his father was taking him for a fool.

Watching his sons reaction, a flicker of realization sparked in Hazels mind. Could it be that Gabriel actually believed her?

She is your mother, Gabriel said, his grip on Hazels hand tightening, his tone unwavering.

My mom is dead!

Andrew had held that truth locked away for years, never letting himself give voice to it, but now, facing his fathers incomprehensible certainty, the words tore free like a scream.

He turned to Hazel, his stare fixing on her youthful face. She couldnt be more than a handful of years older than himself. Truly insane.

Andy, Hazel began gently, do you remember our little secret? The time we carved a necklace together for your fathers birthday? How you said we should inscribe our names on the backjust ours, as a surprise

Andrew faltered. His expression wavered between doubt and alarmit was something theyd once shared.

Servants could easily have overheard that, he snapped, his voice losing some of its edge but not its mistrust.

He wasn't about to entertain this absurdity any further. His sharp gaze shifted back to Gabriel. I dont care who youre with. But dont you dare drag my mom into it. This house belongs to her. If youre set on staying with this woman, find somewhere else to livebut you are not to touch a single thing of hers again. Not one.

Mentioning his mother stirred something unsteady in Andrews face. For a flash, his expression grew soft and vulnerable, but it was quickly eclipsed by the hard glint of defiance. Cornered, he was a wolf pup baring its teeth.

Gabriels composure didnt so much as ripple in response to his sons threat. But Hazelher tears welled up and spilled over.

Andrews brows snapped together. Good act, he muttered under his breath.

Hazel turned to Gabriel, her voice quaking with grief and accusation. What sort of father are you to raise a child who can say such things? This just proves you never gave him the security he needed. My Andy was the sweetest boy, my little angeland now look at him! He shouldve grown up surrounded by love, not left to fend for himself.

The weight of all those years of neglect crushed Hazel, and with it came a surge of anger.

Andrew stood frozen, dumbfounded, as she pinched Gabriels ear in her fingers and twistednot delicately either. His father flinched, his ear reddening as she scolded him mercilessly.

Youve utterly failed as a parent, she continued, glaring at Gabriel. Failed! How dare you!

What stunned Andrew even more than his fathers humiliation was his reaction to it. Gabriel didnt bat her hand away. He didnt yell or resist; he bent his head and muttered placations.

Alright, alright, Ill explain everything after dinner, Gabriel said gently. Just stop. Dont be mad.

Forget dinner! Hazel shot back, releasing his ear with a final snap. Youll tell me about it now, every detail!

Turning on her heel with dramatic flair, Hazel approached Andrew, her harsh edges softening immediately. Her eyes shone as she spoke, her voice tender in a way that burned.

Baby, I know how impossible this sounds, but its true. I am your mother. All these years that I havent been with you, you mustve suffered so much. Im sorry, my sweet boy. Im so sorry.

Andrew told himself she was lying. A manipulative gold-digger, probably hired to worm her way into the Jennings family. But her wordsit wasnt just what she was saying, it was how she said them, the warmth in the way she called him baby. It clawed at something deep inside him, fragile and aching. His throat tightened.

Hazel, sensing his reluctance, pulled a few strands of her hair free and set them on the desk.

Just take this, she said softly. Run a test. Find a lab you trust. The results wont lie.

She leaned closer, her voice steady but pleading. While youre waiting, think back. Think about the things only a mother and son would know. And ifwhenyoure ready, well talk. Ill be here. Ill always be here.

Andrews fingers twitchedjust his pinky, a barely noticeable movement. But Hazel saw it. She recognized it. When he was a little boy, hed done the exact same thing when unsure, a subconscious tell that he was listening, wavering.

Still, the thought of believing this woman made his chest clench. His mind rebelled against it. No. It was too much.

But it felt like hope.

He lunged forward, grabbed the strands of hair, and stormed out without another word.

Once he was gone, Hazel turned to Gabriel, fire in her eyes. Her focus had narrowed, razor-sharp. None of the rest of this matterednot the money, the property, the social standing. What mattered was the three children shed left behind.

How? she demanded. What happened to them after the crash? After I after they thought I was gone?

Gabriels composed fa?ade began to crumble. Quietly, tightly, he began to admit the fumbles and lapses of those years. The plane crash. The futile searches. The years hed let himself fall short where it mattered most.

And Hazel listened.

Her rage didnt fade, but it sharpened into resolve. When Gabriel tried to offer tentative reassurances, she silenced him with a look that couldve shattered glass. She spent the rest of the night reading. Every report card, every photo, scrapbooks, logs written by hired caretakersit was all there, glimpses of lives she hadnt been able to touch.

Outside the study, Gabriel slumped against the wall with a sigh, having been firmly ejected. Whatever Hazel felt at that moment, he clearly wasnt about to leave her to it alone. He crossed his arms and settled in to wait, heart-heavy with guilt and hope.

Abruptly, Jennings familys villa, glowing fully lit, felt more alive than it had in twenty years.