Lydia


    The office was buzzing. I could hear the excitement before I even stepped out of my office. The Italian investor had done exactly as he promised-his investment had pushed thepany to a whole new level. The stock was rising, partnerships were forming, and the team was practically vibrating with energy.


    I walked out into the open office space, and conversations quieted for a second before people quickly pretended they weren’t just celebrating. But I saw the grins, the exchanged looks, the small whispers.


    Then, Mia, bold as ever, cleared her throat and turned to me. “So… we’re all heading out for drinkster. A little celebration of our victory, would you like to join, boss?”


    The room went dead silent. I nced around, watching how the others froze, eyes darting between Mia and me like they were watching someone step onto andmine. A few of them looked ready to grab her and drag her away before she got herself fired.


    Mia, of course, didn’t flinch. She stood there all smiles, waiting for my answer like she had just asked if I wanted coffee.


    I stared at her for a second, then just barely smiled. “I can’t,” I said, adjusting my watch. “I have to pick up my kids. We’re having victory ice cream instead.”


    The tension broke instantly and a few people exhaled. Someoneughed. Mia smirked. “Ice cream over drinks? That’s a bold choice, boss.”


    I turned toward my office. “Enjoy your drinks.”


    A few chuckles followed me as I walked away, but I could still feel their excitement. This was a win. A big one. And they deserved to celebrate.


    But I had my way of celebrating.


    I arrived at the school just as sses were letting out. The moment Liam and Mnie spotted me, their faces lit up.


    “MOMMY!” I barely had time to brace myself before they crashed into me, hugging my legs.


    “You’re picking us up today?” Mnie asked, looking up at me with wide eyes. I brushed her hair back. “Of course. I told you this morning we were having victory ice cream, didn’t I?”


    Liam tilted his head. “What’s victory ice cream?” I held their hands as we walked toward the car. “Ice cream we eat when something good happens.”


    Mnie gasped. “Did something good happen?” I nodded. “Something very good.”


    They climbed into the car, bouncing with excitement. “Tell us!” Liam insisted. I started the engine, ncing at them in the rearview mirror. “Remember that important guest who stayed at Mommy’s hotel?”


    Mnie gasped dramatically. “The fancy Italian man?” I smiled. “Yes. He decided to invest in mypany. That means we can make it even bigger.”


    Liam’s eyes widened. “Bigger? Like… superhero big?”


    “Not exactly,” I chuckled. “But big enough to make a difference.”


    Mnie kicked her feet happily. “Does this mean more victory ice cream in the future?” I pulled out of the parking lot. “If


    we keep winning, then yes.”


    “Then we have to win all the time!” Liam dered. I smiled but didn’t say anything. If only it were that simple.


    The ice cream shop was small and cosy, the kind of ce that smelled like sugar and happiness. Even though we were practically billionaires I chose to let my children live a more cozy life. Less show of wealth means less attention. That way I can keep them humble.


    Liam pressed his face against the ss, studying the vors like he was about to make the biggest decision of his life. Mnie, on the other hand, was already pointing at everything pink.


    “This one! No, wait-this one!” Liam finally decided on chocte fudge, while Mnie went with a strawberry swirl. I ordered mine, then we found a table by the window. Mnie took a big bite of her ice cream and hummed in satisfaction. “This is the best victory ice cream ever.”


    Liam licked his spoon thoughtfully. “Mommy, if we have ice cream when you win, what do we have if you lose?”


    I paused. Mnie gasped again. “Oh, good question, Liam!”


    I tapped my spoon against my cup. “Uhmmm. When things don’t go mommy’s way I have a habit of overdosing on ck coffee. But when I lose, I make sure toe back stronger.”


    Liam nodded like that made perfect sense. I smirked. Mnie kicked her feet again. “Then we have to keep winning so we can have more ice cream!”


    I leaned back in my seat, watching them enjoy their little victory celebration.


    I had spent five years making sure they had a normal, happy life. Five years kept them away from everything that could hurt them.


    Five years staying hidden.


    I never attended public events. I never let my face appear in magazines. If the world knew about the woman behind thispany, it would only bring trouble.


    I had kept my identity buried for a reason.


    Because I wasn’t done yet.


    I had been watching Mason’spany, tracking its every move. I knew when it was strong, and I knew when it was weak.


    And now, it was weak.


    My time wasing.


    I just had to be patient.


    I stared at my phone, my fingers tapping against the edge of the table. The news was everywhere. Kavas Corporation


    Expands to the U.S., New York City to be precise, with a Major Project. Every business article, every financial update-it was all over the headlines.


    I had set up my headquarters right where I wanted. Right in Mason’s territory.


    And now, I was going there myself.


    Speaking of which… I exhaled, closing my eyes for a second. The thought of leaving my kids, even for a short while, felt like hell. They had never been away from me. Not once since they were born.


    But this was necessary. My mother had already agreed to take care of them. She would bring them to New Yorkter. I just had to go first.


    I just didn’t know how to tell them. “Mommy I’m done.”


    “Me too” I smiled at them. “Let’s go then”


    When we got home, Gloria was already waiting. The moment we stepped inside, my mother turned toward us, arms crossed. “So, no one thought to invite me for ice cream?” I had informed her earlier that I had taken the kids for ice cream so she wouldn’t be worried.


    Mnie gasped, grabbing Liam’s arm. “Grandma, we’re sorry!” she didn’t look convinced and made an upset expression that I so desperately wanted tough at. “We forgot about you. We’re sorry, Grandma, but don’t be mad at Mommy, be mad at us!”


    “Yeah, Mommy was just tired from working; that’s why she forgot,” Mnie added.


    I watched, a little surprised, as they practically begged for my forgiveness instead of their own. Gloria raised an eyebrow at me before sighing dramatically. “Fine, fine. I forgive you.”


    Mnie grabbed her hand. “You’re not mad at Mommy, right?” She smiled, ruffling their hair. “No, I’m not mad at anybody.”


    The kids grinned, hugging her before she sent them off to change. They took off running, their little feet thudding against the floor.


    Gloria and I were left alone in the living room. She sat down on the couch, stretching her legs. “Kavas Corporation is all over the business news. Even in the U.S.”


    I leaned against the wall, folding my arms. “We got the deal with the Italian investor.”


    Gloria nodded. “That’s great.” But then she looked at me closely, her expression changing. “Why do you look like that?”


    I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I’m leaving for New York tomorrow.” Her face didn’t change. “And?”


    I exhaled, dropping my hands. “I have no idea how to tell the kids.” Gloria tilted her head. “You’re scared?”


    I frowned. “I just don’t want to hurt them. What if they throw a tantrum? What if they get heartbroken? What if they…. hate me.”


    Gloria shook her head, cutting me off. “Liam and Mnie? The twins I know? Those two are the most understanding kids I’ve ever seen.”


    “They’ll ask questions, yes,” she continued. “But they won’t hate you for this.”


    I hoped she was right.


    Dinner was always loud. The twins talked over each other, trying to tell me everything about their day at school.


    Liam was exining how he won a race in gym ss. Mnie was talking about how she drew a picture of a castle. I listened to every detail, nodding, asking questions, making sure I knew everything.


    It was a ritual I had created to stay connected to their everyday lives. Then Gloria suddenly cleared her throat. “Mommy has 3/4


    ??????????


    something to say.”


    The table went silent. Both of them turned to look at me. I set down my fork. “I’m going to New York.”


    Liam blinked. “For a trip?” Mnie tilted her head. “For how long?”


    I hesitated. “A few months.” Their little faces shifted. Not angry. Just… confused.


    “Why?” Liam asked.


    “There’s a very important project,” I exined. “I need to be there in person.”


    Mnie poked at her food. “Can wee?”


    “Not yet,” I said carefully. “But soon.”


    They both stared at each other for a while and then at their grandma and me. They were quiet for the rest of dinner. Not crying. Notining. Just quiet.


    I hated it.


    After dinner I let them have a moment before tucking them into sleep. “Are you mad at me?” I asked them. Liam pulled his nket up to his chin. “I miss you already.”


    Mnie curled up against her pillow. “Will it feel so far away?.”


    I brushed her hair back, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It won’t feel long. I’ll video call you every night. We’ll have dinner together, just like always.”


    Mnie’s eyes lit up. “Every night?”


    “Every night,” I promised.


    Liam smiled sleepily. “Okay.” Mnie yawned. “Then it won’t feel long at all.”


    I kissed their foreheads and turned off the light.


    The next day, I drove to the tarmac with ck coffee in my left hand. I stared at my private jet for a while before breaking into a smirk.


    I’ming for you, Mason Woods, and this time, I’ll make you pay.