Reese''s chest tightened at his words. She was about to say something when her phone rang. Quickly, she wiped the tears from her eyes and answered. "What is


    it?"


    "Reese, I''m already at the coffee shop outside the hospital. When will you get here?" Hank''s voice was steady on the line.


    She nced at Matthew, hesitating. "I''ll be there soon. Can you wait?"


    "Is there anything more important than Mom right now?" Hank pressed. "Juste over, I only need ten minutes. I promise I won''t keep you."


    She and Matthew shared a look. He gave her a small nod, silently telling her to go. "Okay, I''ll head over now," she said.


    Reese gave a few instructions to the nurse about Matthew''s care, then hurried out.


    Inside the coffee shop, Hank was sitting by the window, a full cup of coffee untouched in front of him. Dressed in a dark suit, his face was serious. The moment Reese walked in, he stood up.


    "Reese, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.


    She sat down and skipped the small talk. "So, what do you need?"


    Hank pulled a folder from his briefcase and slid it across the table. "I found something. A week before Mom''s ident, someone named Drew wired half a million to Grace''s ount."


    He paused, watching her reaction. "Drew is a distant rtive of Dad''s assistant, Dous."


    "There''s more. After the ident, Drew disappeared from the city and left for another country. He did it using a fake identity."


    Reese flipped through the papers, her expression darkening as she read the bank statements. “You''re saying Grace had someone behind her, and this person even nted someone in Bailey''s inner circle?"


    Hank nodded, pain flickering in his eyes. "That''s what I think."


    "Grace was just a pawn. Whoever was really after Mom is still out there."


    "Why are they doing this?" Reese''s voice shook.


    "I''m still digging. There''s something off about a business deal from twenty years ago,” Hank answered quietly. “And I think Dad is pressuring you to drop the case, not just for Meyer Group, but also to keep this secret hidden."


    Reese frowned. Bailey was involved too?


    In her memory, life had been good between Marie and Bailey before Grace and Sofia ever appeared. Bailey had always seemed like the perfect husband and father. That was exactly why Grace and Sofia''s arrival had shattered her mother sopletely.


    Now, it turned out the real culprit in her mother''s death was the person behind Grace.


    "Do you have any proof?" Reese asked, her eyes cold and sharp.


    "Not direct evidence yet, but all the signs are there," Hank said, meeting her gaze. "Reese, please trust me. I''ll get to the bottom of this."


    He hesitated, then said, "By the way, Dad keeps asking me to convince you to give up the case."


    Reese''s impatience must have


    shown, because Hank rushed to exin I know you''re not going to quit just worry bad might do something desperate to stop you. You need to be careful."


    She raised an eyebrow, surprised. Was this really Hank? First he was out chasing the truth, now he was telling her to watch out for Bailey Since when did he stop ming her for not thinking about the family?


    Noticing her surprise, Hank''s cheeks reddened. "I saw Grace''s statement and the evidence the police have," he said.


    "Reese, we''re siblings. Your mom is my mom too." He looked down, voice softening. "I was wrong about you before."


    "You were right. I grew up in the Meyer family, I let myself get fooled by Grace''s nice act. I forgot how much Mom suffered."


    His shoulders slumped, regret clear on his face. "I even forgot that it was Sofia''s presence that made Mom divorce Dad and leave the family with you."


    He took a shaky breath. "I messed up. I put all my attention and care on Sofia instead of you.


    "I broke the promises I made to you and Mom.


    "Reese, I''m not asking you to forgive me. Just... can we stop being strangers?"


    He gave a wry smile. "Honestly, I was just d you answered my call yesterday. And that you came to meet me today, that means a lot.


    "Don''t worry, I''ve already hired a private investigator to track down Seth. I''m also looking into that old Meyer family deal with the overseaspany.


    "I really believe if I follow this trail, I''ll find out who was behind Grace.


    "When I have proof, I''ll bring it to the police. I swear I''ll get justice for Mom."


    Reese felt a storm of emotions inside. There was a time when ske


    had really wanted Hank to care about her But after he pped her, at their mother''s funeral, whatever bond they had was gone.


    She looked out at the patch of sunlight beneath the trees and nodded quietly. "Okay. I''ll wait for your news."


    She stood up, grabbed her bag, and left the coffee shop.


    She had barely reached the hospital entrance when her phone rang again. Reese pulled it from her bag and saw an unfamiliar number. She hesitated, then picked


    up.


    "Reese. Long time no see." A voice came through, sharp and mocking.


    Reese narrowed her eyes. "Sofia? Didn''t you run off abroad? Why are you back?"


    "Why shouldn''t Ie back?" Sofia''s voice was smug. "I''m here to take back everything that belongs to me."


    "Your happy little life with Matthew is over, Reese."