By the time Tatiana returned to the penthouse that evening, Manhattan shimmered beneath rain-washed darkness.
The city below glowed endlessly through the towering windows, headlights stretching across wet streets like flowing ribbons of gold and white. Somewhere far beneath the building, distant traffic hummed against the quiet rhythm of the night while soft rainwater still clung to the glass panels overlooking the skyline.
But inside the penthouse—
Warmth existed everywhere.
Soft laughter drifted from Maya's bedroom alongside the familiar sounds of a Chinese drama, A Dream Within A Dream playing dramatically in the background. Empty pizza boxes rested carelessly near the bed while blankets, pillows, and snack wrappers had completely taken over the room in a way Tatiana usually would have disapproved of.
Tonight, however—
She only smiled.
Tatiana stepped into the bedroom quietly, her sharp eyes immediately softening at the sight before her.
Cassie lay half across the mattress clutching a pillow dramatically while Adela leaned comfortably against the headboard scrolling through comments about the drama online. Maya sat between them beneath layers of blankets, completely invested in the scene currently playing on the television.
For a brief moment, Tatiana simply watched them silently.
Because moments like this never lasted forever.
Adela noticed her first.
The second their eyes met, a knowing smile crossed her face.
"Well," Adela said while lowering the remote slightly, "I suppose you want to have the talk now."
Tatiana laughed softly beneath her breath before placing her handbag carefully on the nearby chair.
"I will freshen up first," she replied calmly. "Then we can have a proper girls night."
Cassie immediately sat upright excitedly.
"That would be awesome."
"Yes," Maya added with a smile. "It's honestly been a while since we had one."
Tatiana's expression softened instinctively at the warmth surrounding the room.
"Okay girls," she murmured gently. "Enjoy yourselves till then."
Then she disappeared quietly toward her bedroom.
The drama resumed almost immediately afterward.
Laughter filled the room again shortly after, blending softly with the rain-soaked atmosphere surrounding Manhattan beyond the windows.
About thirty minutes later, Tatiana returned wearing a flowing white nightgown, her dark hair resting elegantly over one shoulder while traces of her perfume lingered faintly in the air.
Adela and Cassie exchanged a quick glance before standing simultaneously.
"We'll prepare snacks," Cassie announced proudly.
"And drinks," Adela added.
Tatiana smiled knowingly as the two girls disappeared toward the kitchen.
The second they left, Maya shifted instinctively closer until her head rested comfortably against Tatiana's shoulder.
Tatiana wrapped an arm around her immediately.
Silence settled between them afterward.
Not awkward.
Safe.
Comfortable.
The television continued playing softly in the background while the muted city lights illuminated the room in silver-blue shadows.
Then quietly—
"I want to talk to you about something."
Tatiana glanced down toward Maya gently.
"Okay dear."
Maya hesitated briefly before speaking again.
"I want to call Calvin and tell him that I've forgiven him for everything… and that I hope he can forgive me too."
Tatiana remained silent for several seconds afterward.
Not surprised.
Just thoughtful.
"And why do you want to do that?" she asked carefully.
Maya stared quietly toward the television screen without truly watching it.
"Because I genuinely forgave him already," she admitted softly. "And I want to move past everything completely."
Her voice remained calm.
Steady.
Nothing like the brokenness Tatiana remembered from months ago.
"We're not enemies," Maya continued honestly. "I just don't want that chapter of my life to feel bitter anymore."
Tatiana studied her quietly afterward.
Noticing the absence of heartbreak inside her eyes.
The absence of longing.
Only peace remained now.
"I don't think it's entirely necessary," Tatiana admitted truthfully after a moment. "But for your peace of mind… I think you should do it."
Maya immediately lifted her head slightly.
Tatiana smiled softly.
"It's mature," she continued calmly. "And I'm very proud of you dear."
Maya beamed instantly.
Before Tatiana could react properly, Maya embraced her tightly.
"Thank you mum," she whispered unconsciously.
Tatiana blinked softly before withdrawing slightly.
"What did you say?"
Heat rushed into Maya's cheeks immediately.
But she smiled quickly.
"I said thank you."
Tatiana noticed the shift instantly.
Of course she did.
But instead of pursuing it further, she simply smiled gently and tucked strands of dirty blonde hair behind Maya's ear.
"I originally wanted us to discuss you and Rege tonight," Tatiana admitted calmly. "But I think I'll leave you be for now."
Maya immediately lowered her gaze.
Tatiana noticed that too.
"I only want you to remember one thing," she continued softly. "Whatever decision you make regarding him… you will always have my support."
Emotion flickered quietly across Maya's face.
"Just make the right decision for yourself," Tatiana added gently.
Maya smiled faintly.
"Thank you," she whispered sincerely. "God bless you."
Tatiana laughed softly.
Maya joined her immediately.
Then after a brief pause, Tatiana's expression softened further.
"I'll likely return to London soon," she admitted quietly. "The estate and the firm need my attention again."
Maya's smile faded slightly.
"I don't know what Adela's plans are yet," Tatiana continued. "But you… you can stay wherever you want."
Maya listened silently.
"You have complete freedom," Tatiana added. "Do whatever makes you happy."
Something emotional tightened painfully inside Maya's chest.
"Just take care of yourself," Tatiana murmured while holding her hand gently. "You're precious to me."
Maya's eyes watered instantly.
"And regardless of your surname," Tatiana continued calmly, "you are family to us. Especially to Adela and I."
The tears escaped despite Maya's efforts to stop them.
Before she could respond properly, she leaned forward and embraced Tatiana tightly again.
This time, Tatiana held her just as firmly.
Warmly.
Protectively.
Almost maternally.
Then suddenly—
The bedroom door burst open dramatically.
Cassie entered carrying bowls of popcorn and chocolates while Adela followed behind balancing drinks carefully in her hands.
And just like that—
The heaviness dissolved immediately.
Laughter returned to the room once more.
Hours passed quietly afterward beneath tangled blankets, random conversations, stolen snacks, and commentary about dramas none of them fully concentrated on anymore.
Eventually, sometime after midnight, exhaustion finally settled over the room.
The television continued playing softly in the background while everyone gradually fell asleep one after another.
Tatiana rested in the middle of the bed.
Maya slept beside her on the left.
Adela curled against Tatiana's other side while Cassie slept beside Adela beneath twisted blankets.
The room remained dimly illuminated by Manhattan's lights outside.
But Maya remained awake.
Again.
Sleep never came easily to her.
Not usually.
Her eyes remained closed while she unsuccessfully attempted to relax.
Then suddenly—
Her phone vibrated softly inside the bedside drawer.
Maya reached for it carefully.
The second the screen illuminated—
Warmth spread quietly through her chest.
Goodnight Krasota.
A smile appeared across her lips immediately.
Soft.
Unconscious.
She typed back almost instantly.
Goodnight Rege.
Then slowly, Maya settled closer against Tatiana instinctively.
And for the third night in a row—
Sleep came easily.
—
Morning arrived gently across Manhattan.
Soft pale sunlight spilled through the cream curtains while the city gradually awakened beneath cloudy skies.
Tatiana woke first.
Carefully and silently, she slipped from the bed without disturbing any of the girls.
For several moments, she simply stood there watching them quietly.
Cassie buried beneath blankets.
Adela clutching a pillow possessively even in sleep.
Maya sleeping peacefully beside the empty space Tatiana had just left.
Tatiana smiled softly to herself before quietly leaving the room.
An hour later, after preparing for work, she paused briefly beside the kitchen island and left a handwritten note for the girls before finally departing for the firm.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Rege had already begun his morning.
The penthouse remained cold and silent again despite the lingering traces Maya had unknowingly left behind.
Her scent still faintly lingered against the sheets.
A mug remained inside the kitchen sink.
One of her books still rested on his desk.
Rege noticed everything.
Dangerously carefully.
Standing beside the windows overlooking the city, he adjusted the cuffs of his black coat before typing a message.
Good Morning Krasota.
After sending it, he left for work shortly afterward.
He skipped breakfast entirely.
Again.
But unlike before—
The exhaustion inside him no longer felt unbearable.
—
By afternoon, the penthouse downstairs had emptied gradually.
Adela left for the bakery.
Cassie went grocery shopping.
And Maya remained alone.
Soft instrumental music played faintly from her laptop while sunlight stretched lazily across the living room floor.
Only then did Maya finally check her phone properly.
The moment she saw Rege's message—
She smiled instinctively.
Good afternoon Rege, pardon me for the late response. How are you doing???
After sending it, Maya stared thoughtfully toward the windows for several moments.
Then finally—
She called Calvin.
The phone rang three times before he answered.
"Hello?"
Maya inhaled quietly.
"Good afternoon," she said calmly. "How are you doing?"
"Fine," Calvin answered shortly.
Maya noticed the awkwardness immediately.
Still—
She continued steadily.
"I called because I wanted to tell you that I've let go of all the grudges and forgiven you for everything."
Silence followed briefly.
"And I hope you can forgive me too," Maya continued honestly. "For how I handled things."
Another pause followed.
Then finally—
"Okay."
His voice sounded strange.
Guarded.
Almost uncomfortable.
But Maya simply smiled softly.
"Alright then," she replied gently. "Extend my greetings to your siblings and everyone."
Calvin scoffed faintly afterward.
"Isn't it a little too early for that?"
Maya laughed softly beneath her breath.
"Alright then, that's what I wanted to say, so thank you."
Then Calvin hung up shortly afterward.
Maya stared at the screen for a brief second before lowering the phone calmly.
She shrugged lightly afterward.
After all, she had already done what she believed was right. Whatever remained afterward depended entirely on Calvin himself.
Her chest felt lighter now.
Peaceful.
Not because of Calvin's response.
But because she had finally released the final remnants of that chapter completely.
Satisfied, Maya opened her laptop afterward and began writing.
Today, she genuinely felt happy.
Meanwhile, across Manhattan, Rege stood inside a construction site surrounded by noise, unfinished steel structures, and moving machinery.
Workers moved around quickly while James discussed reports beside him.
Then suddenly—
Rege's phone vibrated.
His attention shifted instantly.
Without hesitation, he stepped away from the ongoing inspection and moved toward a quieter section of the site.
The moment he opened Maya's message—
Something inside him softened immediately.
You never have to apologize for anything, Krasota. I am fine. And you?
Seconds later, another message appeared.
I am also fine thank you 😊 How is your day going???
The corners of Rege's lips lifted faintly.
Almost invisibly.
Good. Tell me about yours.
Just then James approached carefully.
"Sir," he interrupted cautiously. "There's an issue with the materials. It needs immediate attention."
Rege glanced toward him coldly.
James unconsciously took a step back immediately, rendered momentarily speechless beneath the sharpness of that gaze.
At that exact moment, another notification appeared on Rege's phone.
Nothing serious, just writing, but I am certain you're busy, so concentrate on your work, we will talk later. Enjoy your day 😊
Rege stared quietly at the message.
And instantly—
The coldness inside his expression softened again.
Take care Krasota.
After sending the message, Rege finally lifted his gaze toward James once more before walking away without another word.
James recovered quickly and followed closely behind as the noise of the construction site swallowed them once again.