The Secret Heir Return To Wealth And Love

The dusk crept in early these days.

Before six o'clock, darkness had all but swallowed the sky.

After a tedious crawl through traffic, Rosalynn couldn't wait to get upstairs.

"Mommy!" Her daughter's exuberant voice echoed before Rosalynn could even step out of the elevator, and then a warm bundle launched into her arms.b2 Rosalynn chuckled, lifting her into a hug.

Ivy had shot up quite a bit this year, and holding her was becoming a workout.

"Sorry, pumpkin, hit a bit of a snarl on the road, Mommy's late," Rosalynn pecked her daughter on the cheek. "Did you have fun with your brother?"

"Yeah! Daddy took us to so many cool places, oh, and he got a gift for you, Mommy!"

Ivy wriggled out of Rosalynn's arms and scampered toward the living room.

Rosalynn's eyes followed her, landing on Cory standing nearby.

She crouched down and enveloped him in a bear hug. "You've been a trooper this trip."

"It was okay. Ivy was good, though she cried a bit in the morning when Daddy wasn't there." Cory snuggled into Rosalynn's embrace. "Don't worry, Mommy, he's getting better. He'll be home before you know it."

A lump formed in Rosalynn's throat. She nodded, stroking Cory's hair. "I know, baby."

Just then, Ivy returned with a gingerbread cookie in hand. "Mommy, Daddy bought this for you, it's super yummy!"

She handed Rosalynn a beautifully wrapped gift box, her big eyes sparkling. "Baillie got Paige her own, so this one's all yours."

"Aren't you having any?" Rosalynn asked with a smile.

Ivy shook her head vigorously. "This is from Daddy to you, Mommy. Only you can eat it. I won't!"

Rosalynn beamed.

"She's been going on about it for half an hour," Paige said as she walked over, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "Terrified of mixing up what her dad got with what Baillie got. Kept it in her backpack, wouldn't let anyone touch it."

"Of course not, it's Daddy's love and missing you!" Ivy declared proudly.

Rosalynn patted her back. "Well, I will take Daddy's love to my room, okay?"

"Okay, but don't be too long, dinner's ready," Ivy nodded.

After a kiss on her forehead and a peck on Cory's cheek, Rosalynn, clutching her briefcase, ascended the stairs.

The door closed behind her, and the smile on Rosalynn's face slowly faded.

She looked at the gift box in her hands, fingertips tracing its edges over and over.

Gingerbread was fragile, and with the back and forth, some had crumbled as Rosalynn opened the box.

She picked up a small piece, tasting it. Tears followed, dropping one by one.

For Rosalynn, time had stretched interminably since she left Munich.

Months had felt like years, and she had masked her agony well to keep Hilaria and Paige from worrying.

The gingerbread melted on her tongue, and she suddenly regretted not going together... But Rosalynn didn't allow herself to wallow in such emotions.

Emotions were one thing, but she knew her decision was right.

His treatment was too painful, so she wouldn't risk even a one-in-a-million chance of Wayne's condition worsening.

She placed the gingerbread box tenderly on the nightstand.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Then she changed into comfortable loungewear and descended to the dining room, where life's simpler moments awaited.