**Chapter 10** “Mommy! Mommy! Please let me go! I’m going to be late!” Sesena wriggled desperately in Paisley's embrace, her petite form squirming like a fish desperate to leap from a hook. Paisley’s heart was heavy with guilt, haunted by the memory of yesterday when she had failed to pick her daughter up from school, leaving little Sesena anxiously awaiting her arrival. Yet, as she felt the urgency radiating from her daughter, the guilt morphed into a pang of sadness for their fleeting moments together. “Rena, you won’t miss Mommy at all?” Paisley struggled to keep her voice steady, a blend of exasperation and melancholy threading through her words. Sesena nodded fervently, her large, earnest eyes sparkling with determination. “But I need to go to kindergarten, Mommy! All the other parents have left. I’ve got to face the world on my own, you know?” Her statement, infused with a wisdom that belied her tender age, struck a chord in Paisley, leaving her caught in an emotional tug-of-war, torn between laughter and tears. “Alright, alright,” Paisley sighed, tenderly smoothing her daughter’s tousled hair. “But if anything at school bothers you, promise me you’ll tell the teachers, okay? Don’t let anyone bully you.” Her mind flickered back to Maria’s warning about that boy at school. Worry rippled through her heart as she watched Sesena with her small head bobbing up and down in agreement. Inside, however, the little girl battled her own thoughts. Should she tell Mommy about meeting her brother? No… he hadn’t seemed to like her yet. She resolved to wait until he warmed up to her before revealing the secret. Paisley enveloped Sesena in her arms once more, planting innumerable kisses on those adorably chubby cheeks. But, with a reluctant heart, she temporarily released her daughter to the teacher, watching as Sesena’s feet hit the ground. In an instant, the little girl dashed away, excitement radiating from her like a burst of sunlight, grabbing the teacher’s hand and leading her toward the school building. Today was significant. Earlier that morning, before they had headed to school, Sesena had sneakily entered Paisley’s art studio and swiped a cherished portrait of Grayson. Safely tucked into her backpack, it was her little treasure—her secret weapon that she couldn't wait to unveil. She was determined to show him the drawing later, to prove that she wasn’t spinning tales when she said she had seen him before! Meanwhile, Paisley stood rooted to the spot, her gaze trailing after her daughter with a bemused smile. What on earth could have captivated Sesena about kindergarten so much, drawing her away from her embrace after just one day? Suddenly, a boy, no older than seven, sprinted past Paisley, his small legs propelling him eagerly toward the school entrance. His mother called out from behind him, her voice a blend of concern and affection. As Paisley’s eyes lingered on the boy’s retreating figure, an unexpected thought struck her. Grayson must be around that height now, right? She couldn’t help but wonder if he had started school yet. A bittersweet smile graced her lips as her imagination wandered down memory lane, only to be tugged back by the harsh reality—knowing Dominick, he would never send Sonny to a place like this. In the hushed confines of his office, the only sound was the gentle ticking of the clock on the wall. Dominick had just finished an important international call and was now reclining on his sleek leather sofa, his eyes drifting closed for a brief moment of respite. That peace was disrupted by his secretary, entering with a gentle knock, inquiring about his drink preference. “Coffee,” he replied without a second thought. Julian, standing nearby, frowned slightly. “You really should cut back on coffee. It’s bad for your stomach.” Dominick ignored his concern, his hand reaching out to accept the steaming cup as his attention finally turned to his phone. Unread messages populated his inbox, but one name drew his focus—Kayla. It was her twelfth attempt to reach him. A frown etched across his brow in annoyance, but after a moment’s hesitation, he decided to answer. “Dominick! I’ve been calling you since last night! Why haven’t you picked up?” Her impatience was palpable from the other end of the line. He held the phone somewhat away from his ear, her sharp tone grating on his nerves. “Stop yelling. If you have something to say, just say it,” he replied coolly. “Dominick,” Kayla's voice dripped with venom, “that wretch Paisley is back, isn’t she?” His jaw tightened at her words, a low growl escaping his throat. “Kayla, how many times do I have to tell you? Don’t call her that. She’s your sister-in-law.” “Sister-in-law? You’re divorced. Did you forget?” Kayla’s scornful laughter sliced through the air. “Has she come crawling back to you already?” “She hasn’t. Stop imagining things,” Dominick shot back coldly, a bitter smirk playing on his lips. “If anything, Paisley would rather keep her distance from me. She’d probably gladly erase me from her life if she could.” “Good,” Kayla retorted, a sense of satisfaction creeping into her voice. “Is there anything else?” “Cold, Kayla. What, can’t I call my own brother just to chat?” “If that’s all, I’m hanging up,” he warned. “Wait! I do have something else. Did you find that pigment artist I asked for? You promised you’d help me last time.” In her expansive studio, Kayla sat by the window, impatience radiating off her as she gazed at an unfinished canvas. “My idol, Nion Vaire, just completed an incredible mineral pigment painting. I want to replicate it.” Dominick’s mind momentarily blanked. The sheer volume of his responsibilities had shoved such trivial requests to the backburner. “Right. I’ll handle it soon,” he muttered distractedly. The mention of painting stirred a distant memory within him. He recalled how much Paisley had cherished drawing. Those early days of their marriage were filled with quiet evenings, during which she would sit beside him in the study with her carbon pencil, capturing whatever caught her fancy—the view outside, the trinkets scattered around the house, and most often, him. But as time wore on, those sketches had ceased, and a dull ache settled in his chest. Turning back to Julian, he commanded, “Look into what Paisley has been up to since she returned to Harrowfell.” Dominick’s thoughts drifted once more to the previous night. She had mentioned a work dinner, and the urgency of finding out more about her life stirred something deep within him.