THE HEIRS HE NEVER KNEW

EPISODES 3 & 4

THE LIFE THEY BUILT

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

TUESDAY — 7:30 A.M.

Serena stood in front of the kitchen counter, staring at the three lunch boxes in front of her.

She picked up the first one.

"Leo."

She placed an apple inside.

"Anna."

She added grapes.

"Kyle."

She paused.

Then added another sandwich.

Maya walked into the kitchen and immediately noticed.

"Why does Kyle have two sandwiches?"

Serena didn't look up.

"Because he'll complain that he's still hungry."

"He's a growing boy."

"He's a bottomless pit."

Maya laughed.

"Fair."

Footsteps sounded from upstairs.

A moment later, the triplets appeared.

Leo was already dressed.

Anna was fixing her hair.

Kyle walked into the kitchen holding one shoe.

"Mom."

Serena looked at him.

"What?"

"My other shoe is missing."

Maya covered her mouth.

Serena slowly turned around.

"Where did you last see it?"

Kyle thought about it.

"Somewhere."

"That is not a location."

"I know."

Anna sighed.

"Check your room."

"I already did."

"You probably didn't."

Kyle looked at her.

"Why are you always against me?"

"I'm not."

"You sound like you are."

Leo walked past them.

"It's under your bed."

Kyle stopped.

"How do you know?"

"I saw it there yesterday."

Kyle stared at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't ask."

Maya burst out laughing.

Serena shook her head.

"Go get your shoe."

Kyle ran upstairs.

Serena looked at Maya.

"Every morning."

Maya smiled.

"And you wouldn't change it."

Serena's expression softened.

"No."

A few minutes later, the four of them left the apartment together.

Maya stayed behind.

She watched from the doorway until Serena and the children disappeared down the hallway.

Then her phone rang.

She answered.

"Hello?"

Her expression changed slightly.

"Yes."

She listened.

"I'll handle it."

She ended the call.

For the first time that morning, her smile disappeared.

But only for a moment.

Then she placed her phone back in her pocket and continued with her day.

GENEVA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

The triplets sat together during their morning break.

Kyle opened his lunch box.

His eyes widened.

"Two sandwiches."

Anna looked at him.

"Mom knows you too well."

Kyle smiled proudly.

"I told you I'm special."

Leo looked at his tablet.

"You have mathematics next."

Kyle's smile disappeared.

"Why would you remind me?"

"Because you forgot."

"I was happier before you told me."

Anna laughed.

Their friend, Daniel, walked over.

"Are you three entering the academic program?"

Kyle nodded.

"Of course."

Daniel looked at Leo.

"You're actually going to compete?"

Leo shrugged.

"We'll see."

Anna smiled.

"We're doing it together."

Kyle raised his sandwich.

"Exactly."

Leo looked at him.

"Put that down."

"Why?"

"You're eating."

"That's the point."

Anna laughed again.

For the rest of the break, the conversation moved from schoolwork to weekend plans.

Nothing important.

Nothing dramatic.

Just children being children.

VALE STUDIO

AFTERNOON

Serena sat at her desk while looking over several design samples.

Her assistant placed another folder on the desk.

"The client approved the first proposal."

Serena smiled.

"Good."

"They want the final presentation next week."

"Tell them we'll have it ready."

Her assistant nodded and left.

Maya entered a moment later.

"Busy?"

Serena didn't look up.

"Very."

"Good."

Serena finally looked at her.

"Why do you always say that?"

"Because you complain when you're bored."

"I don't complain."

Maya gave her a look.

Serena smiled.

"Fine. Maybe a little."

Maya sat down.

"The children called."

Serena immediately looked up.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

Maya laughed.

"They wanted to know if they could go out this weekend."

Serena leaned back.

"Where?"

"The lake."

Serena thought for a moment.

"Saturday?"

"Yes."

"Fine."

Maya smiled.

"I knew you'd agree."

"Don't sound so surprised."

"I've known you long enough."

Serena returned to her work.

"Then you should know I can still change my mind."

Maya laughed.

"Noted."

ZURICH

WARNER GROUP

WEDNESDAY — 9:10 A.M.

Jasper walked into the executive office carrying a folder.

Daniel followed behind him.

"The Singapore proposal is ready."

"Leave it on my desk."

"Already did."

Jasper stopped.

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Because you never check your desk until someone reminds you."

Jasper looked at him.

"You're getting comfortable."

Daniel smiled.

"Occupational hazard."

Jasper sat down.

His phone buzzed.

A message from Catherine.

DINNER AT EIGHT.

Jasper stared at it.

He typed:

I KNOW.

Another message appeared.

DON'T BE LATE.

Jasper smiled.

He put the phone down.

Daniel noticed.

"Family?"

"Yes."

"Everything okay?"

"My mother is giving instructions again."

Daniel laughed.

"Some things never change."

Jasper opened the Singapore proposal.

"Let's work."

WARNER FAMILY RESIDENCE

THAT EVENING

Vivian Hart sat beside Catherine in the living room.

She looked around the familiar house.

"It's been a while."

Catherine smiled.

"Too long."

Vivian nodded.

"I missed this place."

Richard entered.

"You're still welcome here."

Vivian smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Uncle Richard."

Catherine touched her arm.

"You'll always be family."

Vivian lowered her eyes.

"That means a lot to me."

Richard smiled.

A car stopped outside.

Catherine looked toward the window.

"Jasper."

Vivian's expression changed.

Only slightly.

But Catherine noticed.

She smiled.

"Don't be nervous."

"I'm not."

The front door opened.

Jasper walked inside.

His eyes immediately found Vivian.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then Vivian smiled.

"Hi, Jasper."

Jasper smiled back.

"Hi."

Catherine watched them.

Richard looked at his wife.

Neither said anything.

Jasper removed his jacket.

"I didn't know you were already here."

Vivian smiled.

"Your mother invited me."

"I figured."

Catherine laughed.

"Come sit. Dinner is almost ready."

They moved toward the dining room.

The evening continued with easy conversation.

Work.

Travel.

Family.

Old stories.

Vivian laughed at stories Jasper had almost forgotten.

Catherine watched them closely.

At one point, she reached for Richard's hand beneath the table.

Richard glanced at her.

She simply smiled.

Jasper didn't notice.

He was too busy listening to Vivian talk about her latest project.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Jasper stood outside on the balcony, looking over the city.

Vivian stepped outside.

"Leaving already?"

He turned.

"Just getting some air."

She stood beside him.

"You haven't changed."

Jasper smiled.

"That's debatable."

"You still disappear whenever things get too loud."

"Maybe."

Vivian looked at him.

"I was happy to see you."

Jasper nodded.

"It's good seeing you too."

She smiled.

"Maybe we should do this more often."

"Maybe."

The answer wasn't a promise.

But Vivian seemed satisfied with it.

Inside the house, Catherine watched them through the glass doors.

Her smile returned.

She believed she knew exactly how the future would unfold.

She couldn't have known how little control anyone truly had over it.

GENEVA

SATURDAY

The lake was crowded with families.

Serena sat on a blanket while Maya unpacked food.

Kyle was already running toward the water.

"Don't go too far!" Serena called.

"I won't!"

Anna followed him.

Leo remained beside his mother.

"You don't want to go?"

"I'll go later."

Serena smiled.

"You've become so responsible."

Leo shrugged.

"Someone has to be."

Maya laughed.

"That sounds familiar."

Serena looked at her.

"Don't encourage him."

Maya handed Serena a drink.

"Relax."

Serena looked around.

The children were laughing.

The weather was beautiful.

For once, she had nowhere else to be.

She leaned back.

"This is nice."

Maya smiled.

"Very."

Kyle suddenly shouted from the water.

"Mom!"

Serena immediately sat up.

"What?"

"Look!"

He held something above his head.

Anna laughed.

Leo shook his head.

Maya smiled.

Serena laughed too.

It was an ordinary Saturday.

And for Serena, ordinary was exactly what she wanted.

END OF EPISODES 3 & 4