THE HEIRS HE NEVER KNEW

EPISODE 35 & 36

EPISODE 35

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

THURSDAY — 9:15 A.M.

Serena stepped out of the elevator with a folder pressed against her chest.

She was almost at the conference room when she heard her name.

"Serena?"

She stopped.

Richard Warner stood a few feet away.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Then Richard smiled.

"It's really you."

Serena's expression softened.

"Mr. Warner."

He shook his head.

"After all these years, you're still calling me Mr. Warner?"

She smiled faintly.

"Old habits."

Richard laughed.

"I was beginning to think you had forgotten all of us."

"I haven't."

His expression became warmer.

"We've missed you."

Serena didn't know what to say.

Before she could answer, Richard's eyes moved toward the folder in her hands.

"You're working with Jasper?"

"Yes."

"I heard."

There was a brief silence.

Then Richard said quietly,

"He'll be glad you're back."

Serena looked away.

"I don't know about that."

Richard studied her face.

"You two were always stubborn."

She laughed softly.

"Some things haven't changed."

Richard smiled.

"Come. Catherine will be happy to know you're here."

Serena nodded.

But before they could continue, Jasper stepped out of the conference room.

He stopped when he saw them.

"Dad."

Richard turned.

"Jasper."

Jasper looked at Serena.

"You're early."

"So are you."

Richard smiled between them.

"I'll leave you two to work."

He walked away.

Serena watched him go.

Jasper opened the conference room door.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

She walked inside.

Neither of them mentioned the brief conversation with his father.

The meeting lasted almost two hours.

They discussed the next stage of the project, investment plans and the international expansion.

Finally, Jasper closed the file.

"I think that's everything."

Serena nodded.

"Good."

She gathered her papers.

As she stood, one of the documents slipped from her hand.

Jasper bent down at the same time she did.

Their hands touched.

Neither moved.

For a second, the room became completely quiet.

Serena slowly looked up.

Jasper was already looking at her.

A memory flashed through her mind.

FLASHBACK — YEARS EARLIER

Serena stood in their kitchen, trying to reach a glass from the top shelf.

"Jasper."

He walked in.

"What?"

"Help me."

He laughed.

"You can reach it."

"I can't."

"You're just short."

She turned around.

"Excuse me?"

He smiled.

"You heard me."

She crossed her arms.

"Get it yourself then."

He stepped closer, reached over her shoulder and took the glass.

Then he placed it on the counter.

"Anything else, Mrs. Warner?"

Serena smiled.

"Yes."

"What?"

She leaned closer and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you."

He touched his cheek dramatically.

"That's all I get?"

She laughed.

"You want more?"

"Definitely."

She tried to walk away, but he caught her hand and pulled her back.

Their laughter filled the kitchen.

The memory disappeared.

Serena blinked.

Jasper was still holding the document.

He handed it to her.

"You okay?"

"Yes."

She took it.

"Just remembered something."

"What?"

She smiled faintly.

"Nothing."

Jasper looked at her for another second.

Then he nodded.

"Okay."

EPISODE 36

WARNER RESIDENCE — EVENING

Catherine was arranging dinner when Richard walked into the dining room.

"You won't believe who I saw today."

Catherine looked up.

"Who?"

"Serena."

Her hands stopped.

"Serena?"

Richard nodded.

"She works with Jasper."

Catherine's face immediately softened.

"She's back?"

"Yes."

For a moment, Catherine said nothing.

Then she smiled.

"I always liked that girl."

Richard laughed.

"Girl?"

"She was practically family."

"That's true."

Catherine looked toward the hallway.

"Does Jasper know how happy I would be to see her again?"

"He does now."

Catherine smiled.

"I want to invite her for dinner."

Richard nodded.

"You should."

The front door opened.

Jasper walked in.

Catherine turned immediately.

"Jasper."

"Mom."

"Your father told me Serena is back."

Jasper paused.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it was important."

Catherine gave him a look.

"Serena was your wife. Of course it's important."

Jasper looked away.

Richard watched him quietly.

Catherine walked closer.

"How is she?"

"She's fine."

"Does she look well?"

"Yes."

Catherine smiled.

"Then invite her."

Jasper hesitated.

"Mom..."

"What?"

"It's complicated."

Catherine's expression softened.

"I know."

She touched his arm.

"But complicated doesn't mean you have to pretend she never mattered."

Jasper looked at her.

Catherine smiled gently.

"She was part of this family once."

"She still is," Richard said quietly.

Jasper didn't answer.

But the words stayed with him.

GENEVA

Serena sat on the sofa while Maya folded some of the children's clothes.

"Richard saw you today."

Serena looked up.

"You knew?"

"He called."

Serena smiled.

"What did he say?"

"That he was happy to see you."

Serena looked down.

"I was happy to see him too."

Maya sat beside her.

"You know his family never blamed you."

Serena became quiet.

"Maya..."

"I'm not asking you to tell me anything."

"Good."

Maya smiled.

"I just want you to know that you don't have to carry everything alone."

Serena looked at her.

"I have the children."

"And me."

Serena smiled.

"I know."

Footsteps came from upstairs.

The triplets ran down the stairs.

"Mom!"

Serena opened her arms.

They rushed into her.

Maya smiled.

"Your little army is here."

Kyle laughed.

"We're not an army."

Leo looked at him.

"Yes, we are."

Anna nodded seriously.

"We protect Mom."

Serena laughed.

"Then I have nothing to worry about."

ZURICH — LATER THAT NIGHT

Jasper stood on his balcony.

His phone was in his hand.

He had Serena's number open.

He stared at it.

Then typed:

Did you get home safely?

He looked at the message for several seconds before sending it.

A few minutes later, his phone buzzed.

Yes. Thank you.

Jasper smiled.

He typed again.

Good.

He almost put the phone away.

Then another message came from Serena.

Your mother wants me for dinner, doesn't she?

Jasper laughed quietly.

She does.

I thought so.

Will you come?

There was a pause.

Then:

Maybe.

Jasper smiled.

That's not an answer.

Another pause.

I'll think about it, Mr. Warner.

He stared at the screen.

For the first time in years, that familiar teasing tone had returned.

He could almost hear her saying it in person.

He typed:

You still call me that when you're trying to avoid answering.

Serena read the message from her bedroom.

A smile slowly appeared on her face.

She remembered.

She remembered everything.

She typed one final reply.

Goodnight, Jasper.

He answered almost immediately.

Goodnight, Serena.

She placed the phone beside her.

For a moment, she closed her eyes.

And somewhere in Zurich, Jasper did the same.

Neither of them knew what the future would bring.

But something between them had begun to change.

Not because they had forgotten the past.

Because, for the first time, they were beginning to remember the good parts too.

END OF EPISODES 35 & 36