Maynard couldn''t quite figure out what Mr. Langford meant. He''d taken care to finish all his work days in advance, just to be free when Mrs. Turner returned to Starfall City. He''d even made sure to see her at the airport.


    And yet, now that she was right here, Mr. Langford refused to greet her or even offer to bring her back to the manor. That wasn''t like the Mr. Langford he knew at


    all.


    "Yes, Mr. Langford," Maynard replied, masking his confusion.


    What a shame, he thought. They used to be such a perfect couple-how did ite to this?


    It was the first time he''d seen Mrs. Turner show such steely resolve. Maybe all along, he''d misunderstood who she really was.


    Victoria, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware that, the moment she stepped off the ne, a pair of watchful eyes had found her among the crowd.


    After greeting Victoria, Ailie turned her attention to the twins, her face lighting up with delight.


    The babies were plump and rosy-cheeked, as sweet-looking as little cream puffs.


    "Enough, you can y with themter," Victoria said, amused by the hungry look in Ailie''s eyes. "There are too many people here at the airport."


    "If you love kids so much," she teased, "maybe it''s time to get married and have one of your own."


    Ailie rolled her eyes dramatically. "Can''t I just have the kid without the husband?"


    Victoria couldn''t help butugh.


    Ailie spotted Gwh next. "Gwyn, you''ve grown so much!"


    Gwh was dressed in a white sundress, her poise and bearing now reminiscent of Victoria''s own.


    "Aunt Ailie, you''re getting prettier too! Mom said you''ve been promoted-now you''re a vice president? That''s amazing!"


    Ailie blushed, a little embarrassed by the unexpectedpliment.


    She reached out to ruffle Gwh''s hair. "You''re the one who''s growing more beautiful every day. You look more and more like your mom."


    Yasmine stood nearby, smiling quietly without joining in the conversation. She kept her professionalposure, speaking only when necessary, choosing her words with care.


    Watching Ailie and Gwh praise each other, Yasmine realized it had been a while since she''dst seen Miss Gwh. The girl seemed changed.


    The haughty airs of a spoiled heiress, the defiant tilt of her chin-those were all gone.


    But it made sense, really.


    Back in Starfall City, someone from Gwh''s background could pretty much do as she pleased. Everyone deferred to her.


    But Evermore City was different.


    There, money alone wasn''t


    enough-there were plenty of people with wealth and power, and many who kept their influence well hidden. Gwh must have realized she couldn''t act superior in a ce like that.  ''


    Yasmine also noticed how much attention Gwh paid to her younger siblings. Watching Ms. Turner and the three children together, Yasmine thought-with the exception of Mr. Langford''s


    absence-it was as close to perfect as things could get.


    Ms. Turner looked better than she had in years. Back in Starfall City, she''d always seemed so unhappy, her expression clouded or ready to snap at any moment.


    Back then, even Gwh hadn''t wanted toe home. Ms. Turner had lived like someone weighed down by regret and anger.


    But now... things were different. Happier.


    That evening, Victoria''s phone rang. It was Marcus.


    She was surprised. She hadn''t gone out of her way to announce her return-how did he already know?


    "Do you have some free time? How about dinner?" he asked.


    Victoria smiled. "You''re well-informed, as always."


    "Maybe you should thank Max," Marcus replied. "He and Gwyn have kept in touch."


    Victoria had almost forgotten the two kids had be friends.


    "Don''t worry, know there''s nothing between us, Marcus added, his tone as casual as if he were speaking to an old friend. "I won''t make things awkward. I just thought we could take the kids out for a meal. Cheard you had twins-why not bring them along?"


    Victoria would''ve felt a bit petty refusing again, especially since he''d made it clear


    he had no romantic intentions.


    She thought about it: a divorced mom with three kids, always assuming every


    man had an ulterior motive. Maybe it was time to grow up.


    "All right," she agreed.


    Later, she told Gwh that they''d be having dinner with Mr. Green and Max that evening.


    Gwh''s face lit up. "Can Chris and Celiae too?"


    Victoria patted her daughter''s head gently. "Not this time-they''re still too little. Haley will watch them. We''ll go by ourselves, okay?"


    Gwh looked a bit disappointed, but the thought of seeing Max again cheered her up.


    "Okay, Mom."