Then he shook his head lightly and took another sip of whiskey.

"Never mind," he muttered. "But if I were you, I’d leave town too. I don’t want Julian hurting you when this explodes."

"I can’t leave yet."

"Why not?"

"Because there are still things the Chairman deserves to know. About Adrian Blackwood. About everything that happened back then, and what he’s planning. I still don’t even know where my son was buried."

For the first time, the anger faded from Andrew’s face.

Zara looked away, blinking quickly as tears threatened to fall.

"But the Chairman will be able to find out," she whispered. "He has the power to uncover the truth. And after all these years..." her voice cracked painfully, "...I need to know where my child is."

Meanwhile, back at the new big house, everything was quiet. Ethan and Emily had gone to look at their new home, leaving the mansion empty. Now, Julian and Lyvana were completely alone.

She lay curled up against his side, resting her head comfortably on his lap.

​His fingers combed through the soft strands of her hair while his other hand rested protectively against her tummy.

The quiet was broken when her phone began to buzz on the coffee table.

​She leaned up slightly to grab it.

It was her lawyer.

​She answered, putting it on speaker so Julian could hear every word.

"David, what happened."

"It’s done," the lawyer said immediately from the other side of the line. "Windsor Corporation just signed the agreement ten minutes ago."

Lyvana sighed in relief. "And Catalina?"

"She accepted the plea arrangement," the lawyer confirmed. "Conspiracy charges, probation conditions, mandatory psychiatric evaluation, and a formal restraining order. The family also signed liability clauses regarding any future harassment, retaliation, media attacks, or contact directed toward you or Aurora."

"Oh my God," she whispered.

"Additionally, the Windsor legal team has agreed to cooperate fully with the ongoing federal investigation involving the warehouse incident. They are distancing themselves publicly from Catalina’s actions effective immediately."

Julian gave a soft chuckle. "Smart man."

"Do you have the document in your possession right now?" Lyvana asked.

"Yes, Ms. Lyvana, the final papers are being sent to your office tomorrow morning."

​"Thank you, David," Lyvana said. "You did a great job. I will speak to you in the morning."

As soon as the call ended, Julian reached over and took her hand, his thumb rubbing the back of her knuckles.

Lyvana stared at the blank screen of her phone, a mix of relief and lingering anxiety twisting in her chest.

​"I can’t believe it," she said, looking up at him. "It feels real now. But... what happens when she is out on probation?"

​Julian shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Her father will likely ship her away to Europe or an island. He cares about his stock price more than his daughter’s tantrums. She will be locked in a golden cage far away from here."

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss against the top of her head. "Windsor knows that if she steps one foot out of line, the entire corporation pays the price. Her father won’t risk his empire for her madness again."

She was happy, at least her loved ones were safe from Catalina’s desperate games.

She rested her head against his chest, glancing around the spacious apartment. "It’s beautiful here. This whole building is incredible."

​"I’m glad you like it," he murmured. "I just bought it for us. This is where we’re going to live together."

Lyvana froze for half a second, processing his words.

"You bought this, for us?"

A bright smile broke across her face. Her eyes lit up with pure excitement as she looked around the massive, luxurious space with a completely new perspective.

​"Julian, the whole building? You’re incredible!" she laughed, throwing her arms around his neck.

​Julian’s lips curved into a rare, genuine smile, catching her securely by the waist. The excitement radiating from her was infectious, making every dollar spent entirely worth it.

​"I take it that means you approve?" he teased, his voice low and amused as he held her close.

​"Approve? I love it!" Lyvana beamed, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. "I can’t believe this is going to be ours. It’s absolutely perfect."

A cold feeling suddenly crept through her chest. She suddenly remembered her past life. The bitter, painful memory from the night she died.

Mark smiling as he told her he had finally bought the penthouse they had always dreamed about.

She had been so happy back then.

Every cent of her savings had gone into helping him buy it. Only to discover it was in Clarisse’s name.

Even now, the betrayal still burned.

Julian noticed the sudden shift instantly. The bright warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a distant look that made her go rigid in his arms. As though remembering something awful.

​"Liv?" he murmured, his brow furrowing as his smile faded into deep concern. "What is it? Did something happen?"

​She forced herself to take a deep breath. Julian’s strong hands around her waist pulled her back to reality.

The memory of Mark’s cruel laugh and Clarisse’s smug smile still lingered painfully in her mind, reminding her how foolish and trusting she had once been.

But when she looked up at Julian, she saw something completely different.

There was no deception in his eyes.

Only protectiveness, warmth, and a love so genuine it made her chest ache.

​"Nothing," she whispered, leaning back into his chest and letting the steady beat of his heart drown out the echoes of her past life. "I just... I’m just so grateful for you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

​Julian tightened his grip, burying his face in her hair. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Late that night, after Lyvana had fallen asleep, Julian quietly stepped out of the house.

The cold night air brushed against his face as he walked across the house towards the other side of the building.