Chapter 410
Morning arrived with a flurry of activity. The triplets, despite their excitement about staying with various family members, clung to Irene and Adam with unexpected fierceness when the me came to say goodbye.
“You’ll be good for Grandma and Grandpa, right? Irene fussed,djusting Alex’s collar for the third time.
“We’ll be perfect,” Lucas promised solemnly.
“Angels,” Lily added with a smile that was anything but angelic
Adam hugged each child tightly. “We’ll call every day,” he promised. “And before you know it, I’ll be back, walking on my
own.”
Sophia and Marcus stepped forward, ready to escort the children to the Haven estate.
“We’ll take excellent care of them,” Sophia assured Irene. “And Marcus has cleared his schedule to oversee Haven Enterprise operations himself.”
“The company will be fine,” Marcus added. “Your focus should be on Adam’s recovery.”
As the children climbed into Sophia’s car, Lily suddenly darted back to Adam, pressing something into his hand.
“For later,” she whispered conspiratorially. “Part of phase two.”
Before Adam could question her, she skipped back to the car, looking enormously pleased with herself.
Once the children were safely buckled in, Sophia approached Irene privately. “I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye,” she said quietly. “But I want you to know how much I appreciate what you’re doing for my son. For all of us, really.”
Irene was momentarily taken aback by the genuine warmth in Sophia’s voice.
“Thank you,” she replied simply. “That means a lot.”
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With final waves and promises to call that evening, the Haven car pulled away, three small faces pressed against the
windows until they disappeared from view.
“Ready?” Thomas asked, holding the door of Adam’s car open.
Irene took a deep breath, suddenly conscious of beginning this new chapter. “As I’ll ever be.”
Adam reached for her hand as they settled into the backseat. “Our little geniuses really pulled this off, didn’t they?”
“They’re remarkably persuasive for people who still need help tying their shoelaces, Irene agreed with a laugh.
As Thomas pulled away from the villa, Irene found herself looking back, a strange mixture of anticipation and nostalgia washing over her. For six years, her entire world had revolved around those three little people. Now, for the first time since their birth, she was choosing to step away briefly–trusting others with their care.
Adam seemed to read her thoughts. “They’ll be fine,” he said softly. “More than fine. They orchestrated this whole thing, remember?”
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Chapter 410
“I know,” Irene nodded. “It’s just strange, being away from them
“Think of it as a reboot,” Adam suggested. “A chance for you to just Irene for a little while, not only Mom.”
She turned to him, curiosity piqued. “And who is ‘just Irene, do you think?”
Adam’s smile held something that made her heart skip. “That’s what I’m looking forward to discovering.”
As they drove higher into the mountains, Adam discreetly checked his pocket, making sure the small velvet box was still secure. Then, remembering Lily’s secretive gift, he carefully opened his palm to reveal a tiny folded paper.
Unfolding it, he found a child’s drawing–three stick figures labeled “Alex,” “Lucas,” and “Lily,” standing beside two taller figures labeled “Mom” and “Dad.” Above them all, in Lily’s distinctive wobbly handwriting, were the words “Our Family.”
Below the drawing, in more careful script that he recognized as Alex’s, was written: “Phase 2: Make it official!”
Adam quickly folded the paper when Irene glanced his way, tucking it safely into his pocket alongside the ring box. His lips curved into a private smile.
“What’s that look for?” Irene asked, noticing his expression.
“Just thinking about our little geniuses,” he replied truthfully. And how surprisingly effective their scheme turn out to be.”
Morning light spilled through the panoramic windows, illuminating the medical institute where Irene was already setting up equipment. Two weeks had passed since their arrival at the mountain facility, and Adam’s progress exceeded even her most optimistic expectations.
“Rise and shine, Haven!” she called, hearing his approach. “Ready for your torture session?”
Adam appeared in the doorway, hair still damp from his shower. He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, watching her work with undisguised appreciation.
“You know,” he said casually, “most people don’t look that good in scrubs at 7 AM.”
wy
Irene rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. “Flattery won’t get you out of leg day.”
“Wasn’t trying to get out of it,” Adam replied, pushing away from the doorframe to walk–actually walk, with only a slight limp–toward the treatment table. “Just stating facts.”
Over the past two weeks, their dynamic had shifted subtly. Away from children, family, and the pressures of daily life, they’d established a rhythm uniquely their own. Their days were intensely focused on Adam’s rehabilitation–grueling therapy sessions, specialized treatments, and recovery periods that pushed his limits but produced remarkable results.
But the evenings… the evenings belonged to them. Long conversations over dinner, quiet walks through the facility’s gardens on clear nights, shared laughter over family video calls with the triplets. A gradual, delicious rediscovery of each other that felt both familiar and thrillingly new.
“Your recovery rate is extraordinary,” Irene noted during an evaluation. “The neural regeneration is better than any case I’ve seen before.”
“I have the best doctor,” Adam replied, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips. “And the strongest motivation.”
With Adam’s treatment progressing ahead of schedule, they found more time to explore the surrounding area. They walked
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