<b>“</b><b>Uncle</b>, <b>we’re </b>here.”


    Liam turned toward the voice and saw Justin leading a middle–aged man their <b>way </b>


    “Didn’t expect Justin to show up too. Do you know him?” Ethan followed Liam’s gaze, curiosity flickering in his eyes.


    “We’ve met once or twice, but we’re not close.” The <bst </b>time Justin hade to help out the Mortons, the brothers had both been away. Later, when they were renovating the store, Ethan and Justin had crossed paths briefly.


    Justin strode over with Ste’s father, Dave Laine, looking every bit the victor, chin held high and unashamedly locking eyes with Liam.


    “Did Alessia give you her tickets?” Justin asked, voice a shade too casual.


    “Mr. Keane.” The brothers greeted him politely.


    “Justin, who are these gentlemen?” Xavier Laine chimed in at just the right moment, his tone warm and weing.


    “Uncle, these are Alessia’s oldest and third brothers. And this is Ste’s father.”


    Out of courtesy, the brothers stood and shook hands with him.


    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Laine. I’m Ethan.”


    “Liam,” his brother added.


    “So you’re Alessia’s real brothers! She’s quite the remarkable girl. You’d better take good care of her,” Xavier said, clearly delighted to run into Alessia’s family at the sports meet.


    “Our Ste owes a lot to Alessia, you know. Back when she started running her own pub, I was worried she’d squander her inheritance, but now… now I’m worried she won’t want it at all.” Ethan was a little <b>lost</b>, but Liam understood that Dave was bragging about his daughter’s pub.


    From his tone, it was obvious Dave wasn’t trying to hide anything–he was just proud of both Alessia and his own daughter and wanted everyone to know it.


    With nothing else to say, the brothers could only smile and nod along.


    “Uncle, let’s sit. There are still othersing,” Justin suggested.


    “Good idea.” Dave nodded and settled into the seat beside them–by chance, Justin


    12:03


    ended up seated right next to ma


    Usually<b>, </b>Ste <b>gives </b>me her ticket and keeps one for her dad. Alessia always tosses hers <b>out</b>. Didn’t expect she’d give them to you this year–guess <b>you’re </b><b>all </b>getting along?” Justin spoke in a low voice only Liam could hear.


    Liam could see straight through him. There was no reason to bring up Ste, <b>but </b>Justin couldn’t resist showing off.


    “Yeah, Liam replied, not really in the mood to chat.


    With his point made, Justin left it at that and turned to talk with Dave, binocrs in hand as he scanned the crowd for a glimpse of Ste.


    “Is that Lessie?” Ethan nudged Liam. Snapping out of it, Liam raised his camera, zoomed in, and clicked off a few quick shots as he locked onto her.


    Across the sea in Yarrond, Max rubbed his forehead. A cup of coffee and an iPad sat beside him. The iPad screen glowed, streaming the sports meet live. Max set it aside, focusing on work as he waited for the opening ceremony to begin.


    Nine years. It had always been this way.


    The camera panned smoothly, following Alessia. She wore her hair in a neat high. ponytail and a bright, bold tee, her faceposed and calm. She held a sign at the front of her ss, not a hint of makeup, yet so stunning you couldn’t look away.


    Time spun backward–Alessia, just seven, starting elementary school.


    “She’s always off running around with that rascal next door. Does she even


    remember toe home for dinner? Mae, if she’s not back by mealtime next time, just toss her te,” Max said, his voice steady, betraying nothing of his real


    feelings.