The Stone mansion shimmered under the quiet glow of moonlight. The chandeliers were dimmed, the halls hushed — yet there was a lingering warmth that carried from Luke's laughter earlier that evening. For the first time in weeks, it wasn't heavy silence that filled Kayla's chest.
She stood at the edge of her son's bed, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. Luke was lying on his side, facing her, still wide awake. His gloves rested neatly on the nightstand — the only time he ever took them off was when he was with her.
"How was your day?" Kayla asked softly, sitting beside him.
Luke's eyes brightened just a little. "It was… okay."
"Only okay?" she teased, smiling faintly.
He hesitated before adding, "I like Chase."
Kayla's brows lifted. "Oh?"
"He's nice," Luke continued, his voice quiet but genuine. "He didn't force me to talk… just showed me around. Said if anyone bothers me, he'll make them regret it." A small smirk tugged at his lips — the first real smile she'd seen in a long time.
Kayla's heart eased. "I'm glad," she said, stroking his cheek gently. "You deserve good friends, Luke."
He nodded, already growing drowsy. "Do you think… Dad would like him too?"
Her hand paused. For a moment, she couldn't find the words. "Yes," she whispered finally. "Your dad would like him a lot."
Luke smiled softly, drifting off to sleep, and Kayla watched him until his breathing slowed and evened out. Then, quietly, she rose from the bed and stepped out into the dim hallway.
Downstairs, light spilled from under the study door. She knew William was still awake — he rarely rested early. Something about the day, about his silence at the school gates, lingered in her mind.
She knocked lightly. "Come in," came his calm voice.
He was seated behind a mahogany desk, papers spread before him, the faint scent of coffee filling the room. His hair was tousled from long hours, his sleeves rolled up, but his composure was as precise as ever.
"I wanted to thank you," she said, stepping in. "For today. Luke seems… lighter."
William looked up. "He made a friend?"
"Yes. Chase." She smiled faintly. "Apparently, he's sworn to protect Luke from bullies already."
A rare, almost amused flicker crossed William's face. "That sounds like Chase."
But as their brief laughter faded, Kayla's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you doing all this, William? Enrolling him there, bringing us here, stepping up like this… what's your real reason?"
He leaned back, fingers steepled. "Because it's what Maxwell wanted."
Her expression hardened. "That again."
"It's not a lie," he replied quietly. "He made me promise before he left. Said if anything ever happened, I should protect you and Luke."
Kayla crossed her arms. "You're leaving things out. You know more than you're saying."
William's gaze dropped to the files on his desk — a single photograph half-hidden beneath papers. She caught a glimpse of it — Maxwell, younger, standing with William and a group of unfamiliar men, one of them wearing a ring engraved with the Stone crest.
He slid the photo away before she could ask. "There are things better left buried, Kayla. If you start digging into how Maxwell died… you may not like what you find."
Her jaw tightened. "You don't get to decide that for me."
William exhaled slowly, then stood. His height and presence filled the room like quiet thunder. "Then promise me one thing — protect Luke. No matter what truth you uncover."
She hesitated. "…And what about you?"
He met her gaze, his blue eyes holding something heavy — guilt, maybe sorrow. "Me?" He gave a faint smile. "I stopped deserving protection a long time ago."
He walked past her toward the door, his steps slow, his voice softer as he added, "Get some rest, Kayla. The world you're about to step into… isn't kind."
The door clicked shut behind him.
Kayla stood there alone in the study, her hand still resting on the desk where the photograph had been. She could feel it — secrets buried beneath the Stone name, hidden behind William's calm eyes.
And she would uncover every one of them.
For Maxwell.
For Luke.
And maybe, somewhere deep inside, for herself.
The next morning at the Stone mansion began as quietly as the last had ended.
The sun filtered through long velvet curtains, painting streaks of gold across the marble floor. Servants moved about gracefully — setting breakfast, polishing silver, adjusting vases filled with fresh white roses. Everything was perfect… but it all felt too practiced, too lifeless.
Kayla stood near the dining table, sipping her coffee. Her black hair was tied up neatly, but faint shadows lingered beneath her eyes. Across from her, Luke was already dressed for school — white shirt, navy vest, matching trousers, and his familiar black gloves.
"You look handsome," she said softly, adjusting his tie.
Luke gave a small smile. "Chase said we'll start a science project today. He's going to help me."
Kayla smiled back, relieved that her son finally sounded… happy. "That's good. Be polite, listen, and don't—"
"—punch anyone if they make fun of me. I know, Mom."
He grinned, and for the first time, she actually laughed.
William entered then, crisp in his dark suit, his usual calm authority filling the room. "The car's ready. Chase texted — he's already waiting at the school gates."
Luke stood and bowed his head slightly — something William had taught him. "Thank you, Uncle William."
William's lips curved faintly. "You don't have to call me uncle."
"But I want to," Luke said, and something in William's expression flickered — like a piece of his frozen heart cracked, just a little.
The boy headed out with the butler, his cheerful voice fading down the hallway.
When the silence settled again, Kayla turned to William.
"I need a job."
He looked up from his cup, calm but surprised. "A job?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "You've done enough already, taking us in. But I can't keep living like a guest. I have skills — organization, accounting, scheduling. I used to handle logistics for… other kinds of work."
Her voice hesitated at the end — she didn't need to remind him that she was once a retired underground gang lord who became a schoolteacher. The reminder hung between them anyway.
William set down his cup. "You're serious."
"I am."
He leaned back slightly, thinking. "I could arrange something at one of the companies under Stone Holdings—"
"No," she interrupted, meeting his gaze. "If I'm going to work, I'd rather be where I can see things for myself. Around you."
For a moment, silence. Then William spoke slowly, his voice low.
"You want to work for me?"
She nodded once. "Yes. As your assistant."
He studied her — the steadiness in her tone, the resolve in her eyes. She wasn't asking; she was declaring it.
Finally, he sighed quietly. "You have no idea what that position means, Kayla."
She tilted her head. "Then maybe you should explain."
He stood, buttoning his jacket. "You'll start tomorrow. Be ready at nine."
She blinked. "Just like that?"
"I don't waste time when I see capability," he said simply. "You'll handle my schedule, meetings, travel, and correspondence. But if you take this position…"
He stepped closer, his gaze locking on hers. "You'll also see things most people in this house don't. Things I'd rather you didn't."
Her heartbeat quickened, but she held her ground. "Then I'll learn to look carefully."
William gave a faint, knowing smile. "You remind me of him sometimes."
"Maxwell?" she asked quietly.
He didn't answer — just turned toward the door. "Breakfast is over. I'll have the driver take you to the office tomorrow."
And as he walked away, Kayla whispered to herself,
"I'm not doing this for you, William. I'm doing this to find out what really happened to him."
But somewhere deep inside, she wasn't sure which him she meant anymore.