Legacy 101_The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs

Chapter 101 

 -HUNTER’S POV-

 The first gray light of dawn crept through my bedroom windows, finding me exactly where I had been for the past four hours….sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor.

 I hadn’t even attempted sleep.

 Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Caesar’s tears and heard Celine’s voice calling me cold and calcting.

 Every time I tried to find afortable position, my mind reyed the moment she hadpared me to my mother.

 The worst part? She was right.

 I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the servant quarters where my son was sleeping.

 The irony wasn’t lost on me….I had been so worried about Caesar carrying on the Reid name that I had forgotten what that name actually meant to people like Celine.

 Power is used to intimidate. Wealth used to control. Privilege was used to crush anyone who dared to stand in our way.

 Was that the legacy I wanted to pass down to my son?

 I thought about all the times my father had usedwyers to solve his problems. Business rivals, employees whoined, even family members who stepped out of line.

 The Reid family attorney was practically on speed dial, ready to crush anyone who threatened our interests.

 Last night, I became him. I had reached for the same weapon without even thinking about it.

 But Caesar wasn’t a business deal. Celine wasn’t a problem to be solved. They were people….the most important people in my world….and I

 had treated them like obstacles.

 I rubbed my face and headed for the kitchen.

 If I were going to fix this mess, I needed to start somewhere, and Vincent’s advice echoed in my head: ‘Show them you care through actions,

 not words.‘

 The kitchen staff wouldn’t arrive for another two hours, which was perfect. I needed to do this myself.

 thad never made breakfast before….not a real breakfast. Head maid Sally had been handling my meal schedule since I was old enough to sit

 at a table.

 But how hard could scrambled eggs be?

 Twenty minutester, I had my answer: harder than running a globalpany, apparently.

 The first batch burned while I was trying to make toast.

 The second batch came out runny and yucky. By the third attempt, I had finally managed something that looked edible, though I doubted it would win a any awards.

 The toast was slightly burned around the edges, and the orange juice was store–bought instead of freshly squeezed, but it was honest food.

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 13:16 – Mon, 4 Aug 

 Made by my own hands for my family.

 ‘My family..‘ The words felt strange but right.

 I loaded everything onto a tray, then hesitated. What was I supposed to say? How did I apologize for threatening to tear apart the life of the

 woman I…

 I stopped that thought before it could fully form. Whatever I felt for Celine wasplicated and probably one–sided.

 Right now, Caesar was what mattered.

 I grabbed a piece of paper and sat down at the kitchen ind, staring at the nk page. What did you write to someone you’d hurt so badly?

 ‘Dear Celine,’ No, too formal.

 ‘Celine,‘

 Better.

 ‘I know you have every reason not to trust me afterst night. My threat aboutwyers was wrong, and I’m sorry. I was scared of losing you both, but fear doesn’t excuse my behavior.

 I’ve been thinking about what Caesar needs, and it’s not a father who fights for custody or a man who uses his power to get his way. He needs stability, love, and parents who can work together.

 I want to be that kind of father. I want to be the kind of man who deserves your trust and your love. <fn5027> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fn5027>

 Would you give me one chance to show you I can be better? Not Hunter Reid the businessman, just Hunter the man who wants nothing more

 than to be worthy of his family.

 I made breakfast. It’s probably terrible, but I made it myself. For both of you.

 If you decide to leave after this, I’ll understand. Nowyers, no threats, no maniption. Just my promise that I’ll love Caesar from a distance

 if that’s what’s best for him.

 Please don’t decide until we talk.

 Hunter.’

 I folded the note and slipped it under their door, then returned to the kitchen to wait. The coffee was strong and bitter, matching my mood.

 Every minute that passed felt like an hour.

 What if she had already left? What if they had snuck out while I was burning eggs and writing apologies? What if……

 Stop.

 I couldn’t think like that. I had to believe that the woman who had defended Caesar so fiercelyst night wouldn’t disappear without giving him a chance to say goodbye.

 At seven thirty, I heard movement from the servant quarters. My heart hammered against my ribs as I picked up the breakfast tray and walked across the estate grounds.

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 This was it. This was my chance to prove I could be different.

 I just hoped it wasn’t toote.

 ~CELINE’S POV-

 I woke up to Caesar shaking my shoulder gently.

 “Mama, there’s a paper under the door.”

 My eyes felt heavy fromck of sleep, but Caesar’s voice was alert and curious. I sat up

 “What does it say?” he asked, climbing back onto the bed.

 nd saw him holding a folded piece of paper.

 I unfolded Hunter’s note and read it twice, my heart doing somethingplicated in my chest. This wasn’t the arrogant, demanding tone! had expected.

 This was… vulnerable. Human.

 “I want to be worthy of his family.”

 Family. He’d called us family.

 “What does it say, Mama?” Caesar asked again, trying to peek at the paper.

 “It’s from Mr. Hunter,” I said carefully. “He wants to talk to us.”

 Caesar’s face lit up. “Is he still here? He didn’t leave?”

 The hope in his voice made my throat tight. “No, baby. He’s still here.”

 “Are we still leaving?”

 Before I could answer, there was a soft knock on the door. Not the sharp, impatient knock I had grown used to from the Reid family, but

 something gentle.

 Almost hesitant.

 Caesar scrambled off the bed and ran to the door. “Daddy Hunter?”

 “Yes, it’s me,” came Hunter’s voice through the wood. “I brought breakfast.”

 Twrapped my robe around myself and joined Caesar at the door.

 When I opened it, Hunter stood there holding a tray that looked like it had been prepared by someone who had never set foot in a kitchen

 before.

 The eggs looked slightly overcooked, the toast was unevenly browned, and there was a small puddle of spilled orange juice on the tray.

 But he had made it himself. I could tell by the flour dusting his usually perfect shirt and the uncertain expression on his face.

 “I thought maybe we could eat together,” he said quietly, his eyes meeting mine,

 “All three of us. And then… if you still want to leave, I won’t stop you. Nowyers. No threats. Just… please give me a chance to show you that I can be better than the man I wasst night.”

 13:16 Mon, 4 Aug 4 

 Caesar was practically bouncing on his toes. “You made breakfast? Can we eat together like a real family?”

 Hunter’s face softened as he looked down at Caesar. “If your mama says it’s okay.”

 美食 64%粉

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 They both turned to look at me, and I felt the weight of the decision settling on my shoulders. I could still say no. I could still pack our bags and walk away from all of this.

 But looking at Hunter’s doubtful expression and Caesar’s hopeful face, I realized I didn’t want to run anymore.

 “Okay,” I said. “We can eat together.”

 Caesar cheered and grabbed Hunter’s free hand, pulling him toward our small kitchen table. “Did you make eggs? I love eggs! And toast too?”

 “I tried,” Hunter said, setting the tray down carefully. “I’m not sure how good they are.”

 “They look perfect,” Caesar dered, climbing into his chair..

 I caught Hunter’s eye as he helped Caesar with his napkin. For just a moment, we shared a look of parental amusement enthusiasm.

 Maybe this could work. Maybe we could find a way to be what Caesar needed us to be.

 Maybe it was time to stop running and start building something real.

 Caesar’s

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Legacy 101