Chapter 5 — Easier to See

Daniel took Elena’s hand, and they walked through the house, past the marble foyer and the enormous portraits of Whitmore men who’d built companies, bought land, and raised descendants who confused wealth with character.

At the front door, Parker ran after them. “Mia.”

She turned. He stood awkwardly, the dinosaur puzzle under one arm. “I’m sorry. I should’ve said something.”

Mia studied him a long moment. Children don’t forgive the way adults do. They don’t weigh reputation or family politics or inheritance. They remember how something felt. “You can still build it,” she said finally. “But I’m not coming back today.”

“Okay,” Parker said.

Sloane stood behind him, crying now that her cruelty had lost its audience. She didn’t apologize — pride, or shame, stopped her. Mia didn’t wait to find out which.