Episode 5
861 Words
It was already late in the night by the time the black car rolled quietly through the gates of the Sterling estate.
The weather was cloudy, threatening rain, but not a single drop had fallen.
Inside the mansion, Margaret Sterling stood poised at the entrance, her posture flawless and her expression unreadable. Beside her, Clara shifted with barely contained excitement, her eyes glued to the driveway.
As soon as the car stopped, a uniformed driver stepped out first, moving quickly to open the back door.
Then a single heel touched the ground.
With slow, elegant, and deliberate movement, Lena Carter stepped out of the car as though she had never left.
She wore a fitted cream coat, her long hair falling effortlessly over her shoulders, her presence radiating confidence and quiet superiority. Even the air seemed to shift around her.
Clara let out a soft, impressed breath. “Wow… she really came back glowing.”
Margaret’s lips curved slightly. “Of course she did.”
Lena lifted her gaze—and their eyes met.
For a brief second, silence stretched between them.Then Lena smiled. “Aunt Margaret.”
Margaret stepped forward gracefully, opening her arms. “Lena, dear. Welcome home.”
They embraced lightly, but beneath the gesture was calculation and mutual understanding.
Clara didn’t wait. She rushed forward. “You look incredible!”
Lena laughed softly. “Flattery already? I just arrived.”
Clara linked her arm through Lena’s. “Oh please, I’m serious. Zander is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
At the mention of his name, something flickered briefly in Lena’s eyes—but it vanished just as quickly.
“Is he here?” she asked calmly.
Margaret’s smile thinned. “Not yet. But he will be.”
Lena nodded once, composed. “Good.”
Margaret gestured toward the house. “Come inside. You must be tired.”
As they walked in together, the grand doors closed behind them with a heavy, echoing thud.
*******
Not long after, the sound of a car engine echoed through the driveway once more.
This time, Zander Sterling had returned.
He stepped out of his car, loosening his tie slightly, his expression cold and distant as usual. His driver bade him goodnight, but he didn’t respond—his mind was already elsewhere.
The moment he stepped into the living room, he stopped. His entire body went still. Because standing there, by the grand piano with a glass of wine in her hand, was a woman he hadn’t seen in years.
Lena Carter.
For a second, his world seemed to tilt.
“…Lena?”
Her name left his lips almost unconsciously.
Lena turned slowly, as if she had been expecting him all along.
Their eyes met—and everything else faded.
She smiled softly. “Hi, Zander.”
The phone in his hand slipped slightly, but he didn’t notice.
Clara watched from the side, barely containing her excitement.
Margaret, however, remained perfectly still, observing the outcome of her plans.
Zander took a step forward, disbelief written all over his face.
“What… what are you doing here?”
Lena looked into his eyes calmly. “I came back….“I came back for you, Zander.”
The room went silent. Zander’s jaw tightened, his emotions warring beneath the surface. Memories, anger, longing—all colliding at once.
“You left me,” he said, his voice low.
Lena didn’t flinch. “I know.”
“And now you’re back?” His tone sharpened.
“Yes.” She stepped closer. “Because I realized something,” she continued softly.
Zander didn’t move or breathe.
He hated the way his hand shook involuntarily, hated that Lena still had such an effect on him after all these years.
Lena stopped just inches away from him.
Her voice dropped to a near whisper.
“You are the best thing that ever happened to me… and I realized I couldn’t live without you.”
Silence crashed over the room.
Clara’s nails dug into her palm in excitement, while Margaret’s eyes gleamed faintly.
Zander looked at her for a long moment.
Then he turned and walked away, his expression cold and unreadable.
Without another word, he headed upstairs.
As soon as he disappeared, Lena’s composure cracked slightly.
She turned to Margaret, her eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Aunt… are you sure he will accept me?”
Margaret’s expression remained calm, confident.
“Don’t worry, my dear. It’s only a matter of time.”
Clara leaned forward eagerly. “At least we confirmed something tonight.”
Lena looked at her. “What?”
Clara smiled slowly. “You still affect him.”
Margaret nodded, her gaze sharp. “And that is more than enough.” She lifted her chin slightly. “We will build everything from there.”
Meanwhile, at the east mansion…Aria suddenly froze.
The baby stirred softly in her arms, but that wasn’t what made her heart skip.
It was a sharp, sudden feeling, like something had just gone terribly wrong.
Her grip tightened protectively around her child.
And for no reason she could explain… a single tear slipped quietly down her cheek.
- Writer
