UNBROKEN BONDS OF LOVE

Revelations

"Someone looks guilty as sin," Zanaya commented softly, spotting her older brother, Mateo, in their family home's dining room early that morning. If anyone would be privy to Enzo Andresson's resurfacing, it would be him. After all, Mateo had previously overseen the joint business ventures between their families.

"Good morning, mija," Isabella greeted warmly from the far end of the table. "Your father and I made waffles. It's a special occasion with you home, and your brother Mateo paying us a surprise visit!"

"Have a seat, Zanaya," Mateo urged, gesturing to the chair across from him.

Zanaya narrowed her eyes at her sibling, remarking sarcastically, "A surprise indeed that Mateo is here. I wonder why big brother flew in so early?"

She made sure to enunciate every word pointedly.

At first, Mateo didn't respond. He glanced toward their parents, ensuring they were preoccupied with breakfast preparations, before leaning across the table. "I wasn't sure if we were ready for Enzo's return. I wanted answers before telling you. I had people tracking the Andressons, but they've been cautious. I still haven't uncovered anything about those ten years he was gone."

"Did you suppress any information leaking into Riverton too?" Zanaya asked shrewdly. Surely news of this magnitude – the missing Andresson heir's return and ascension to CEO – would have made headlines and sparked internet frenzies.

"I didn't have to. The Andressons kept everything quiet – Enzo's arrival, his appointment as CEO, all of it," Mateo replied, giving her a concerned look. "Do you believe me?"

Zanaya sucked in a deep breath, feeling the anger and pain resurfacing. After a moment, she answered, "I believe you because I love you."

"You'll always be my little sister." Mateo reached for her hand. "I'd do anything to protect you and get answers. But the Andressons have grown immensely powerful over the years. Their influence runs so deep, they're experts at covering their tracks now."

"Morning, guys! Uncle Mateo!" Rian's enthusiastic shout echoed through the dining room as he raced over, leaping into Mateo's arms.

"Easy there, buddy. You're not so little anymore," Mateo laughed, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.

"It's been forever, Uncle," Rian grinned.

"It has, kiddo. And you're already nine years old. Too big to be jumping into people's arms," Mateo teased.

The dining room filled with laughter and warm conversation after that, with Rian eagerly recounting stories about martial arts and school.

Soon, breakfast commenced. Rian settled beside Zanaya, announcing, "Mommy stayed in my room last night. We played video games and watched a movie."

"Great bonding time with Mom, huh?" Mateo asked, giving Zanaya an approving nod.

"Yep!" Rian turned to his grandparents. "Waffles, please!"

As Rian ate, Zanaya glanced back at her brother. "Well, the Andressons have their secrets, and so do we. I guess we're even."

Yet as she spoke those words, she doubted if it was truly fair for all involved – especially Rian.

Zanaya knew she had a monumental decision looming, one involving Enzo.

Wednesday.

"You have to go? How many more years do you have to serve?" Rian complained, his brown eyes narrowed, face grim. "Can't you just quit?"

Zanaya paused, leaning down to meet his eyes. "I made a deal with the military. I was supposed to serve in the infantry, deploying overseas. My contract should've ended already, but because I didn't want to be away from you, I pulled strings to join the National Guard part-time instead."

She pinched his cheek affectionately. "As a result, my contract got extended. No, I can't just pay my way out."

"Don't worry, Rian, my contract ends next year, and then I'll only work for Crimson Talon. We'll have more time together," she promised with a wink.

Zanaya hesitated a moment before smiling at her son. "And I suppose it's time for Mom to settle down. I'll marry your Uncle Rafe, and you'll have a daddy–"

"What?" Rian objected loudly. "I don't like Uncle Rafe!"

Rafe was Zanaya's fiancé of two years. She'd never understood the instant dislike between them – as if it had been hate at first sight, despite Rafe doing nothing to warrant Rian's animosity.

To Zanaya, Rafe was an excellent catch. He was handsome, successful, and one of the few men who had accepted her past and Rian without issue. It wasn't easy for a single military mom to find someone so understanding.

"But I thought you wanted a father?" Zanaya frowned. "Rafe adores you."

"He's a fake!" Rian growled angrily.

"How could you possibly know that?" Zanaya asked, but her son didn't answer, merely rolling his eyes petulantly.

"Then who do you want me to marry?" she sighed.

"My real dad," Rian shot back, folding his arms defiantly.

"That's not going to happen," Zanaya replied, selecting a jacket from the closet.

"Why?" Rian demanded furiously.

Zanaya turned to face him. "Because I told you he's missing. He left us, Rian."

She turned to grab her duffel bag. As she hoisted it, she heard a faint sniffle. Rian asked brokenly, "He...he didn't love us?"

His question shattered Zanaya's heart. They'd discussed Enzo before; she'd always been open about his abandonment. But this was undoubtedly the first time Rian had cried over it.

"Look, I don't care if we never find my dad, but not Rafe! I don't want him!" Rian stated bitterly.

Zanaya embraced him tightly, stroking his back soothingly. "Okay. I won't marry him."

Sometimes, she felt no one would ever be good enough for Rian. He had such lofty standards for a father figure, standards she couldn't begin to identify.

She pulled back to wipe the tears from his face. "Let's talk about this another time. I'll be away on a mission, and I don't know when I'll return or if I can call. You understand how it works?"

"Yeah," Rian replied flatly. After a moment, he added, "Be safe, Mom. I love you."

"You know I will," Zanaya assured him. "I love you too."

Hours later, Zanaya discovered the full details of her new mission – she was tasked with protecting a very important individual.

When she met this person, her heart sank. She thought silently, 'No. Why didn't I see this coming?'