Chapter 2 Returned

Seven years later - Airport

A small hand tugged at Sandara's sleeve. "Mommy, I need to pee," her daughter's soft, sweet voice pleaded.

"I need to pee too!" her son, Joe, piped up, his chubby, fair face looking up at her.

"Alright, both of you," Sandara said, guiding them toward the restroom. To keep track of them in the bustling crowd, she waited just outside.

Seven years earlier, after going abroad for her safety, Sandara had discovered she was pregnant. Shortly after, the entire Greyson family had vanished from public view, leaving no trace behind.

Her phone buzzed. It was Ryan, who had parted ways with them just after landing.

"You and the kids out of the airport yet?" he asked.

"Not yet. Why?"

"Remember the job I took on for you? The CEO of Addams Corp is paying a fortune to find the right doctor. Looks like he tracked our flight. He just called-he's waiting in the VIP lounge."

"Fine. Just make sure he doesn't find out who I am. You handle it."

Sandara hung up and caught sight of a tiny figure near an ice cream stand. Her daughter. Somehow, she had slipped away again.

"Emily!" Sandara hurried over, scooping her up just as she reached for the ice cream. "You're not listening again!"

The girl blinked up at her, eyes wide and dark, like little grapes.

"If you sneak off again, Mommy will have to spank your little butt," Sandara warned, trying to sound stern.

Emily didn't respond, only stared silently.

Sandara sighed. "Alright, fine. Mommy won't scold you. Let's find your brother-he'll panic if he comes out and doesn't see us."

She grabbed her suitcase with one hand and held Emily's with the other.

Then the girl bit down hard on Sandara's hand. "Emily! What are you doing?" Sandara yelped, letting go.

Instantly, Emily bolted.

Sandara froze, a flash of panic rising. Her daughter had never acted like this before.

"Mommy's not mad anymore-hey! Come back here!" But the girl's tiny legs were impossibly fast.

Moments later, two familiar voices called out. "Mommy!"

Sandara turned to see Emily and Joe holding hands, running toward her. Her irritation melted at the sight of Emily's innocent, beaming smile.

She crouched down. "No more running off by yourselves, okay?"

Emily nodded obediently, though inwardly thinking, 'Mommy wasn't staying where she said to wait.'

"Alright, let's go find Great-Grandpa!"

At the mention of their beloved great-grandfather, their eyes sparkled. Hand in hand, with her suitcase trailing behind, Sandara led them through the airport.

The trio drew glances wherever they went. Sandara, fair-skinned and elegant, seemed almost ethereal. Emily looked like a miniature princess in her pink tulle dress, bun perched atop her head. Joe, chubby and lively, waddled along in a tiny British-style suit, radiating charm.

Meanwhile, in the VIP lounge, Skylar Addams noticed his daughter standing silently, empty-handed.

"No ice cream?" he asked.

Cara looked up briefly, then said nothing. Her selective mutism made explanations difficult, he assumed.

Closing his laptop, Skylar knelt before her. "Daddy will get it for you." He took her hand-but she jerked it away, lowering her head, her small posture radiating unmistakable frustration.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Cara remained silent, a shadow of gloom clouding her face.

Heart aching, Skylar rubbed her head. "Alright... Daddy will have Uncle Jett buy it for you, okay?"

His assistant hurried off.

Two years ago, an accident had robbed her of her voice. Since then, she had become quiet, withdrawn, and unnervingly sensitive.

Today, Skylar had brought her to the airport to meet the legendary Doctor Eclipse, a man regarded as a miracle worker in traditional medicine. No matter the cost, he was determined to heal his daughter.

...

Just as Sandara reached the hospital entrance, her phone buzzed. It was Aunt Darcy.

"Sandara... something's wrong. There's trouble at the farm. The police are here-they want to take your grandfather to the station."

Sandara's brows knit tightly.

She had barely set foot back in the country, and already chaos had found them?

"Aunt Darcy, tell the officers to hold on a moment. I'm downstairs-I'll be right there."

Knowing her grandfather's frail condition, the police hadn't entered his ward or disturbed him yet.

When Sandara arrived, the officers quickly explained. The meat delivered by her family's farm to Summit Hotel earlier that day had tested unsafe, and over a hundred guests had already been rushed to the ER.

"We need the person responsible for the farm to cooperate with our investigation," one officer said. "Since your grandfather is seriously ill, we'll need you to come instead."

Sandara's chest tightened. Her expression flickered between panic and composure, forcing herself to look flustered.

"I... I just got back... I don't... know anything..."

The officers exchanged a disappointed glance. "So... you want us to take your grandfather instead?"

"No-no!" Sandara's voice shook as she shook her head, face paling. "I... I'll go with you!"

In truth, she trusted her grandfather implicitly. His reputation was impeccable. Everyone knew it.

Summit Hotel wouldn't risk its prestige using meat from anyone else.

Clearly, someone wanted to stir trouble and drag her family's name into this.

Fine. She could play their game. Silently.

"Mommy!" Little Emily suddenly reached for her hand.

The officer's brow furrowed, expecting the child to start crying, begging them not to take her mother.

But then a soft, milky-sweet voice rang out...

"Mommy, don't worry," Emily said softly. "You can go. I'll take good care of Great-Grandpa."

Little Joe stepped forward as well. Acting like a tiny adult, he bowed seriously to the two officers. Then he lifted his fair, chubby face-delicate as porcelain-and spoke in a gentle, milky voice:

"My mommy gets scared easily. Please... take care of her."

The officers blinked, taken aback.

These children couldn't have been more than six or seven... and yet, they were more sensible than most adults. More composed than their own mother, even. Truly remarkable.

"Alright..." Sandara murmured, rubbing their heads, her voice trembling. "Mommy will come back as soon as she can."

The moment she left with the officers, the children's expressions shifted instantly-calm, cheerful. They skipped back to the ward to be with their great-grandfather.

Old Master Wellington, frail as if he had only a single breath left, visibly brightened at the sight of them. His dull eyes sparked with life.

He lifted a trembling hand and gently touched their little faces.

"Emily... Joe... you're finally back. Where's your mommy?"

"Mommy went out to buy something!" Joe lied smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Good... good..." Old Master Wellington's hands shook with excitement, his mind already imagining the family whole and happy once more.

***