Mom’s meal-delivery service ended the following week. She left another voicemail — You are punishing your mother over a birthday party — and I saved it and never replied.

Within days she was cooking for herself again. Her knee had never truly prevented it. Convenience had.

Chapter 9 — The Second Crown

One week later, Kobe had his replacement party. Nestor honored every promise. Every invited family came back. Before the children hit the courts, he personally showed Kobe the new protective cover over the alarm handle.

“No one can just grab it now.”

Kobe examined it. “Was it my fault?”

“No,” Nestor said at once. “You did exactly what you were supposed to do. You listened to the staff and left safely.”