Elena had always been the heart of the Evans family, the force that held them together even as cracks began to show under Gerald's character.
Now, with Gerald’s disgrace and sentence, Alexander knew he had to face her. The thought clenched at his chest more than any headline ever could.
When the familiar sight of the sprawling estate came into view, Alexander felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with a sense of foreboding. The gardens were pristine, the lawn immaculately trimmed, and the mansion’s white stone facade gleamed under the afternoon sun. It was a picture of serenity, a deceptive calm that belied the storm they had weathered.
He pulled the car to a slow stop near the grand entrance and stepped out, taking a moment to steady himself. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the fa
