Irene hadn’t even been gone for ten minutes, and Lucas was already bouncing off the walls. So much for all her “stay put” lectures – her middle kid was physically incapable of sitting still. He kept yanking on Alex’s sleeve like an overexcited puppy.

“C’mon, Alex, let’s get outta here!” Lucas was practically vibrating with energy. “Mom’s gonna be gone forever, and this place is totally loaded with cool stuff. They’ve got everything – we’ve gotta check it out!”

That got Lily’s attention real quick. She zoomed over and latched onto Alex’s arm, pulling out all the stops with her patented baby-sister charm offensive. “Pretty please, big brother? I’m literally starving… I did some research before we came, and they do food all day long. Everyone says their afternoon tea is to die for. Take me?”

Alex barely glanced up from his laptop – he’d seen this coming from a mile away. His siblings had the attention span of goldfish. “Not happening, guys. Pick one or the other.”

Lucas and Lily traded looks. Cue Lucas’s world-class sulking face.

“For real?” he whined. “When’s Mom gonna ditch this ‘ladies first’ thing? I never get to pick anything!”

Lily flashed him that butter-wouldn’t-melt smile. “Tough luck, bro. That’s what being a gentleman’s all about!”

Alex reached over and messed up his brother’s hair. “Chill out, you’ll get your shot when Mom’s back. Right now…” He smirked at his screen. “Let’s hook Lily up with some snacks. Plus, I’ve got a special job for her after.”

“A job?” Lily’s ears practically perked up as she sidled closer. “What kind of job?”

Alex pointed to a blinking dot on his screen. “Check this out. Slipped a tracker into Mom’s suitcase before our little switcheroo. Just ran a trace, and guess what? The suitcase is right here in this hotel. Which means…” he paused for effect, “Mr. Big Shot CEO of Haven Enterprise is probably crashing here too.”

Lily’s face scrunched up in confusion – clearly out of the loop about their airport shenanigans.

Lucas jumped in, words spilling out like he’d had way too much sugar as he broke down their master plan.

By the time he finished, Lily was lit up like a Christmas tree. “Hold up – are you saying the guy who might be our dad is, like, right here in this hotel?”

Alex nodded, wheels already turning. “Here’s what’s gonna go down: after we grab food, you need to work your magic and get close to him somehow. Play the lost kid card. When Mom shows up later, I’ll bring her to ‘find’ you. Boom – they’ve gotta meet!”

Lily was bouncing like she’d mainlined pixie sticks, food completely forgotten. “I’ve got this, big bro! Mission accepted!”

Alex gave her cheek a gentle pat, his usual serious face softening. “That’s my girl.”

“Listen up though,” he added, going all serious mode. “We gotta play this smart. Mom’s been flying solo for five years, busting her butt taking care of us. Don’t you think it’s about time she caught a break?”

His words from that day hit her like a bucket of ice water: “You really think I’d marry someone like you? Get real – look in the mirror. You’re a walking embarrassment. I only played nice because of our families. Now you’re damaged goods, and you still expect me to want you? Get lost! And if we ever see each other again, pretend you don’t know me.”

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