ding a transatlantic video conference. His voice was a low, commanding rumble, and the execu

nst the polished surface of his desk. It was a frantic, i

would never call this line, at this time

rned." He didn't wait for a response before end

voice tight with apprehensi

ard hadn't heard in years. It was a raw, trembling mix of

tilted on its axis. He shot up from his leather chair, the heav

, his voice a strained whis

ed. "She's here, Richard. In my hospital.

half-gasp. Twenty-two years. Twenty-two years of hollow anniversaries, of his wife's sile

back into the role of the patriarch, the protector. "Don't let anyone n

all, red button concealed o

f staff burst into the offi

dered, his voice leaving no room for questions. "And get Eleanor, A

smic shift in his boss's unive

mont family's emergency

chambers, a court recess just beginning. His second son, Sebastian, the hardened police detective, was at his desk

eneer over a raging sea of emotion. "We found her,

l. It was broken by a collective ga

nt discreetly handed her a phone with an urgent message. Excusing herself with a serene smile that betr

s shattered. A sob escaped her lips, and she pressed a silk handkerchief to her mouth

oice firm, a general rallying his troops. "She needs us. Everyon

was immediate

or the next week," Alexander

ng his keys. "Family emergency, cover for

gaphone, "Wrap for the day! Everyone go home!" The entire production gr

amily, an empire that spanned continents and i

. He walked with purpose down the hospital corridor, his white coat a

s public, undignified room. He was going to take her to a place wher

e door, composing his features into the kin