her hair into a bun, preparing to drown h

rised. She wasn't

ls bouncing, arms filled with a chaotic mix of snacks: Pringles, Oreos

ed dramatically. "Take the pizza

ox quickly, and stepped asid

lopped herself onto the couch like she own

war," Nancy said, a

on," Nathasha correcte

turned to the couch, an

happ

Pringle into her mouth. "I'm

d confused.

otionally const

ed mid-bit

d betrayed her. "Yes. To see our parents. And before you ask - no, I'm n

ain. "Wait... Co

se meeting. Family business drama. Dad thinks we're still a picture-perfect dynasty.

ghter, something i

was l

't say

single

here was nothing about a trip. No meetings canceled.

n't he

to shake t

ou expecti

otice the shift in Nancy'

he family legacy more?" she groaned. "It's like chess, but with live grenades. I

t her thoughts were alre

without s

he was her boyfriend. Or her family.

ye

had slowly turned off

a asked, pausing in

ly. "Yeah. Just... surprised. H

w how he gets. Quiet. Broody. It's always worse after seeing Dad. I swear, their

l laugh, but her

away, che

dn't te

be it was just a personal fami

il

gaze when he thought she wasn't looking. She memorized the way his sleeves rolled up j

ole days wi

like she'd miss

into a chocolate bar, "you and my brother

rly choke

inked. "The tension between you

"There's noth

, chewing thoughtfully.

g not to let the ache in her chest show. "Le

comes back looking like a haunted Vic

Y

ha | The Wood

ate was as cold as t

lass windows that gleamed like polished armo

in

rzone dress

ring frustration already rising in his chest. Nathasha walked bes

e starts with the 'you should take more respons

ocus was already on the ta

harper eyes. Not a hair out of place. He l

with a nod, voice cl

" Cole sa

hout another word

e that, the

City | Nancy

She had been staring at the same spreadsheet for 45 minutes, trying

Cole. Not even

cking withou

.. ho

old message thread, then shut it qui

lass of water, and scolde

lfriend, Nancy. He'

w feeling in her st

ning | The Woo

, chandelier above like a cluster of stars froz

ever, was unmist

fork, already sensing the storm brewing. Jackson - the ever-smiling, eve

table sat Edward Wo

Cole's stepmother, and Jackson and Nathasha's bi

lly broke t

, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a napkin. "Disap

company, Dad. It's mine. Cole Industri

htly. "No, it doesn't. Tha

id, voice low but steady. "Not everyon

toward Jackson with a proud nod. "At least one o

arly uncomfortable but not wil

He works with purpose. He understands wha

eliberate clink. "What he understands

voice too calm. "Or do you just enjo

ult? Try building something without a dime from this

fuse to follow tradition. You walk around acting like you invent

y, chair scraping

rebellious th

ly said, rising to he

one s

ty in it undeniable - the voice of a woman u

f you want to settle your issues, do it like men - n

nced toward her, jaw tight - and then, to every

d, voice low but sincere.

ed - surprised,

walked out of the roo

ed, leaning

ok. "You wonder why he doesn't

Cole finally grows up, we'll talk. Until then

sat down, exh

will be the

| Nancy's

aped around her shoulders, TV playing

her phone. Ope

ed ov

er surprise, h

CAL

eart

ted - then

voice came

ce on the line

I didn't know w

ter, instantly ale

wer this time. "I just ne

eath c

you o

d, and it broke

n't sa

e didn

m, breathing in sync, saying everyt

them finally softened, he w

osed h

e finally said disc

| The Woods Est

toned at the collar, sleeves still rolled. The storm out

dinner still ech

ng about coming home made him feel like a kid again - not in the nostalgic, warm

e door pulled him

respond

ain, followed by

's

sa

d slowly. "

owing behind her. She looked more like a movie star than a moth

ind her and leaned agai

nt shrug. "Su

im on the edge of the bed - not too c

silence fo

ths," she said softly. "Yo

been

busy. You don't visit. You don't call.

ps. "That's because yelling doesn't wo

then turned more se

ay. Then, in a low voice,

at was more tha

ancing at her. "For what I sa

say anything wrong. You walked away, yes, but s

ooking down

g back here,"

"But not everyone here

t time in a long while, the defense

nversation, her tone lighter. "So...

ragging a hand over his f

t wrong," Susan teased. "She said

at the ceiling. "There's s

ed, giving

. my ass

d, voice playfu

ickly, then paused. "At least... I

ghtly to face him. "You d

tly. "Too much. I just don't know

're a grown man, Cole.

is dif

ow

"Not my name. Not my money. Not a photo for her Instagram. She just wants to

ng. "Sounds like she's alre

n't answ

arded. Like she's been through some

to see if you'll stay

d to loo

loud," she continued. "Sometimes, silence is a

know if I'm ready for something serious. Or if sh

and gently reste

You just have to be honest -

, then added in a w

lightly. "Then maybe, when y