THE HEIRS HE NEVER KNEW

EPISODES 5 & 6

THE WEEKEND

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

MONDAY — 7:15 A.M.

The apartment was unusually quiet.

Serena walked into the kitchen and stopped.

No children.

No arguments.

No footsteps.

She looked toward the hallway.

"That's strange."

Maya entered behind her, holding a cup of coffee.

"What's strange?"

"It's too quiet."

Maya smiled.

"Maybe they're finally learning peace."

A loud crash came from upstairs.

They both froze.

Maya slowly looked at Serena.

"I take it back."

Serena sighed.

"Of course."

She headed upstairs.

"Leo! Anna! Kyle!"

"We're fine!" Kyle shouted.

Serena opened the bedroom door.

She found all three of them standing around a fallen pile of clothes.

Serena stared at them.

"What happened?"

Kyle pointed at Leo.

"He pushed it."

Leo immediately shook his head.

"I didn't."

Anna crossed her arms.

"You both did."

Serena closed her eyes for a second.

"It's seven in the morning."

Kyle smiled.

"We know."

"Then why are you already fighting?"

"We're not fighting."

"You are standing beside a pile of clothes."

Kyle looked down.

"Oh."

Maya appeared behind Serena.

She looked at the mess.

"Should I ask?"

Serena sighed.

"No."

Maya smiled.

"Good choice."

The children began picking up the clothes.

Serena watched them for a moment before smiling.

"Breakfast in ten minutes."

Kyle looked up.

"Can we have pancakes?"

Serena hesitated.

Maya immediately answered.

"Yes."

Serena turned.

"Maya."

"What?"

"You don't get to answer for me."

"But they look hungry."

Kyle grinned.

Serena shook her head.

"Fine. Pancakes."

The children cheered.

Maya smiled proudly.

"You see?"

Serena pointed at her.

"Don't get used to it."

LATER THAT MORNING

Serena sat at the dining table while the children ate.

Anna was reading.

Leo was checking something on his tablet.

Kyle was completely focused on his pancakes.

Serena looked between them.

"School project."

All three looked up.

"What about it?" Anna asked.

"The teacher sent me an email."

Leo lowered his tablet.

"What did she say?"

"She wants the three of you to work on a presentation together."

Kyle smiled.

"Perfect."

Anna looked at him.

"Don't get excited."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to have to work."

Kyle looked offended.

"I always work."

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"When?"

"Sometimes."

Maya laughed from the kitchen.

Serena smiled.

"You'll present it next month."

Anna nodded.

"What topic?"

"Technology and society."

Leo immediately became interested.

"I'll do the research."

Anna smiled.

"I'll organize it."

Kyle pointed at himself.

"And I'll present."

Serena laughed.

"Of course you will."

Kyle grinned.

"I have the voice for it."

Leo shook his head.

"You have the volume for it."

Everyone laughed.

VALE STUDIO

AFTERNOON

Serena walked into the studio carrying several folders.

Her assistant followed.

"The Paris client confirmed."

"Good."

"They want the meeting next week."

Serena nodded.

"Arrange everything."

Her assistant left.

Maya appeared from the hallway.

"You're working too much."

Serena looked at her.

"I have a business."

"You also have three children."

"I know."

"And friends."

"I know."

"And me."

Serena smiled.

"Unfortunately."

Maya laughed.

"Exactly."

Serena picked up her bag.

"I'm leaving early today."

Maya looked surprised.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"The children have their school meeting."

Maya smiled.

"Look at you."

"What?"

"Choosing family over work."

Serena smiled.

"Always."

ZURICH

WARNER GROUP

TUESDAY — 10:30 A.M.

Jasper stood beside the conference table.

"Send the revised proposal to the board."

Daniel nodded.

"Done."

"And move the meeting to Thursday."

"Why?"

"I have another appointment."

Daniel looked at his schedule.

"Personal?"

"Yes."

Daniel smiled.

"Your mother?"

Jasper looked at him.

"How did you know?"

"Because whenever your mother calls, your schedule suddenly changes."

Jasper laughed.

"You're observant."

"I have to be."

His phone rang.

Jasper answered.

"Mom?"

Catherine's voice came through.

"Are you free Saturday?"

"Why?"

"Because your father and I are going to dinner with some friends."

"Okay."

"And Vivian will be there."

Jasper was silent for a moment.

"All right."

Catherine smiled on the other end.

"Good."

The call ended.

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"Vivian again?"

Jasper looked at him.

"You seem very interested in my family."

"Occupational curiosity."

Jasper shook his head.

"Get back to work."

Daniel smiled.

"Yes, boss."

WARNER FAMILY RESIDENCE

THAT EVENING

Vivian sat in Catherine's living room.

She was looking through an old photo album.

"You still have this?"

Catherine smiled.

"Of course."

Vivian turned a page.

There were photographs from years ago.

Jasper as a child.

Richard and Catherine at different family events.

Vivian herself appeared in several pictures beside Jasper.

She smiled.

"I remember this."

Catherine sat beside her.

"You two were inseparable."

Vivian laughed softly.

"He was always getting me into trouble."

"And you always blamed him."

"Because it was usually his fault."

Catherine laughed.

Vivian closed the album.

"He really has changed."

"Jasper?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"He's more serious now."

Catherine smiled.

"Business did that."

Vivian nodded.

"Maybe."

There was something thoughtful in her expression.

Catherine noticed.

"You still care about him."

Vivian smiled faintly.

"Of course I do."

Catherine took her hand.

"You know you're family to us."

Vivian looked at her.

"Thank you, Aunt Catherine."

She smiled.

But beneath that smile, she was thinking about something else.

GENEVA

WEDNESDAY EVENING

The triplets were gathered around the dining table.

Their school project was spread across the surface.

Kyle stared at the papers.

"I don't understand any of this."

Anna looked at him.

"You haven't read it."

"I looked at it."

"Looking isn't reading."

Leo sighed.

"Just give me the presentation part."

Kyle immediately handed it over.

"Thank you."

Anna stared at him.

"You were supposed to help."

"I am helping."

"How?"

"I'm encouraging you."

Leo laughed.

Kyle smiled.

Serena watched them from the kitchen.

Maya stood beside her.

"They're definitely siblings."

Serena smiled.

"Unfortunately."

Maya looked at her.

"You say that a lot."

"I mean it lovingly."

Maya laughed.

The children continued arguing.

Serena watched them.

There was something comforting about the noise.

The little arguments.

The laughter.

The ordinary moments.

She had built a life she was proud of.

And she had no desire to change it.

SATURDAY EVENING

Jasper walked into the Warner residence after a long day.

Catherine looked up.

"You're late."

"I know."

Richard laughed.

"Your mother has been checking the clock every ten minutes."

Catherine glared at him.

"I have not."

"You have."

Jasper smiled.

"I'm here now."

Vivian entered the room.

"Hi."

Jasper looked at her.

"Hi."

She smiled.

"How was your week?"

"Busy."

"Mine too."

Richard looked between them.

"You two should go out sometime."

Jasper raised an eyebrow.

"Dad."

"What?"

Catherine laughed.

"Leave them alone."

Richard smiled.

Vivian lowered her eyes.

Jasper shook his head.

"Can we just have dinner?"

Everyone laughed.

The evening continued peacefully.

No arguments.

No drama.

Just family.

Just friends.

Just another ordinary night.

GENEVA

SUNDAY MORNING

Serena sat by the window with a cup of coffee.

Maya joined her.

"The children are still sleeping."

Serena smiled.

"That's a miracle."

"You should enjoy it."

"I am."

Maya sat beside her.

For a while, neither spoke.

The city outside was quiet.

Serena looked at the sunlight coming through the window.

"Sometimes I think this is all I need."

Maya looked at her.

"What?"

"This."

Maya smiled.

"Then keep it."

Serena nodded.

"I intend to."

END OF EPISODES 5 & 6