"I''m doing just fine. Why should I go back?"


    Matthew raised an eyebrow. "What, is he feeling guilty now? nning to finally give me a piece of the inheritance?"


    Sebastian''s frown deepened. "Matthew, you''re just the illegitimate son="


    "Like I had any say in being born?" Matthew''s face darkened, which didn''t happen often. "If your dad hadn''t done what he did to my mom, do you really think I''d even be here?"


    "You all treated us like dirt, did everything possible to split me from my mom.


    "And when you finally brought me into the family, it was clear you didn''t want me. Your mom did everything she could to make my life miserable, and you just looked the other way.


    "Even your grandpa couldn''t care less about me. All he ever wanted was for me to stay alive. And now, you want to talk family? Isn''t that a joke?"


    Sebastian had nothing to say. He barely knew the details of the past, just vague memories of his mother''s open disdain for Matthew, and the way everyone else in the family kept their distance.


    He let out a sigh, his tone softening. “Grandpa wants to make it up to you. He''s actually always thought about you, even if he never showed it."


    "Make it up to me?"


    Matthew let out a coldugh and didn''t bother replying.


    Like I ever cared about that.


    Sebastian met his eyes, his voice low and warning. "Whatever happened before, you wouldn''t have made it through if Grandpa hadn''t protected you. Just do this for him. Come back with me."


    "Fine."


    Sebastian clearly hadn''t expected him to agree so quickly. He paused, his finger hovering over the elevator button, and added, "Reese is my wife. I don''t want you getting too close to her."


    Matthew scoffed. "Did that cross your mind when you embarrassed her in front of everyone?"


    Sebastian''s face clouded, but Matthew kept going. "We''re just coworkers. She helps me look after my kid sometimes, so I help her out here and there. That''s all there is to it."


    Sebastian looked up at him. "You''re married?"


    "Yeah. My kid''s seven already."


    Matthew''s voice was t, offering no more exnation.


    Upstairs, Reese was sitting in the living room with a steaming container of soup in


    front of her, but she couldn''t bring herself to eat.


    Her mind kept reying the


    conversation between Sebastian


    and Matthew. She worried Sebastian would give Matthew a hard time After poking at her food a few times, she set her utensils down,


    There was a knock at the door.


    Reese jumped up to answer it, heart racing. Sebastian and Matthew stood outside, both looking calm, and she finally rxed a little.


    Sebastian noticed the concern in her eyes when she nced at Matthew. It irritated him, though he didn''t know why, but he just said, "Grandpa wants us to bring Mow back to the house. You shoulde too."


    Reese was caught off guard. She''d thought Mr. Ratcliff only wanted to see them because of Matthew—she hadn''t expected to be included.


    "Okay."


    The three of them headed downstairs and got into the car, driving toward the Ratcliff family estate.


    Nobody spoke on the ride over. The air in the car felt thick and heavy.


    The ck Bentley pulled up at the front door. Reese had barely stepped out when


    a small figure came running up and kicked at her shin.


    "Mom! Why did you do something so awful? Do you know what people are saying? Everyone says my mom''s a criminal!"


    Reese couldn''t miss the anger and disgust in Robbie''s eyes. She''d thought she was numb to it all, but his words still hurt her.


    This was her son. He didn''t care what she''d gone through; he just believed the rumors and red at her.


    Sebastian frowned and tried to pull Robbie away, but the boy yanked his hand free. “Dad, don''t stop me! She did bad stuff!"


    Just then, the front doors creaked open. Mr. Ratcliff stepped out, leaning on his cane, his face pale and tired.


    He nced at the crying Robbie, his voice stern. "Robbie, you don''t talk to your mother that way."


    Robbie shrank back, his tears slowing, but he still muttered, "But Grandma said—"


    fet


    "Don''t listen to your grandma''s nonsense!" Mr. Ratcliff cut him off sharply, shooting Jane a re. Is


    this what youve beechin ve


    m?"


    Jane rushed over and pulled Robbie away.


    Mr. Ratcliff sighed heavily, his gazending on Reese. He looked at her for a long


    moment before finally saying,


    "All of you,e inside."