ttle fingers pointing at every passing street sign. But once they arrived and settled in, Th

y the window, staring out into the tr

small face carefully blank. "Just

mped in awkwardly. "Yeah, we... um... we

Thira raised an eyebrow but said not

arded gates, it felt peaceful yet imposing. The ceilings were high, the floors dark poli

n the living room, the triplets ran through th

ut like soft petals. "It's beautiful, Mummy," she

clean glass, staring at her reflection on the

owels for the pantry shelves. He

do this?" she whispe

tly taking the glass from her hand. "You've already

unshed tears. After a silent moment, she

her voice steadier. "I want the

ws onto their fresh beds and stacks of unopened boxes. Kai sat

from his desk. "W

ai replied calmly, not looking up.

lifted her head. "Do you think

. Niko blinked. "Wait... what if

d slightly. "Alm

. On the screen was a photo of Riven Dax, standin

His ears... they're shaped l

dn't waver. "

f he's our dad. He's just Candidate 1," she said cal

nt agreement. Their miss

his suitcase closed. Thira stood nearby, helping Kai adjust his backpa

ghtly. Elara clung to him for a moment

come back soon?"

, pressing a kiss to her foreh

stood. "Can I still message yo

uffling Kai's hair

tightly, her cheek resting against his c

quietly. "But this

ir new school while Thira prepared

s. The marble floors reflected her heels with every step, and the tall glass walls rose endlessl

olding a clipboard. "Welcome. I'm Julius

quiet, sleek hallways lined with minimali

ble, flipping through a proposal file. When J

s is Miss Thi

r face, her eyes, her dark hair - something about her cut through him

ood, and extended a hand.

ch light but confident. "Tha

team," he said, his voice re

a's eyes scanned the polished table,

end sat Vel

f Thira's name. Her eyes widened, and

, a faint cold smile

ub Altere?" Vela his

ghtly. "Not since you res

anger before she smoothed her expression a

ntly. His gaze moved between b

e said abruptly. "Miss Calderon,

, his mind buzzed with questions about Thira's

lara suddenly s

Thira, wrapping her small arms around her waist. Two boys followed, identical except

hem walk

he has triplets? She's married? He frowned s

dn't understand, but his face re

office, Elara pulled out her small pink tabl

uickly with

is Candidat

ission

vidence to prove

orking

up with a quiet smile. The