Maria, in her late twenties, stood in the living room with a three-year-old Tia cradled in her arms. The child’s breathing was uneven, her small chest rising and falling with effort.

Maria held the phone between her shoulder and ear.
“Jacob, where are you?” she said, barely containing her frustration. “I told you Tia is sick. I have a client meeting today. I missed the last one—I can’t afford to miss this too.”

“You do realize it takes time to reach there, don’t you?” Jacob replied sharply. “Not just your work—mine is important too. And let’s not forget, it was your decision to live so far away in that village, when all your clients and your office are here in the city.”

“It was for Tia,” Maria shot back. “You know she doesn’t do well in the city. The pollution makes her worse.”

The door opened. Jacob walked in, removing his coat.

Maria immediately placed the child in his arms.

“Here,” she said briskly. “I’ve given her all the medicines she needs for now. She needs a nebulizer every three hours. Grace can help you with everything else. Just—keep an eye on her.”

Jacob frowned. “If Grace can take care of her, shouldn’t you have taught her everything by now? Did you really need to call me?”

“How can I leave Tia alone with Grace?” Maria snapped. “She doesn’t even know where to take her in case of an emergency.”

Jacob sighed. “Then you should teach her. In fact, you should have taught her already.”

He paused, then continued, firm and calculating.

“I’ll give you a month. Train Grace properly—medication, emergencies, hospitals, contact numbers. I’ll appoint a chef and a watchman as well, in addition to the caretaker.”

His tone softened slightly.

“Look, I know you love our daughter. I do too. But we can’t abandon our work and stay here forever. We need to work hard to give her a secure future.”

He met her eyes.

“If you want, you can stay here. I’ll go alone. The decision is yours.”

Maria lowered her gaze.

“I understand,” she said quietly. “Give me two months. I’ll settle everything here so we can be worry-free.”

Present Time – Coelho Mansion

Jacob stood near the bed, watching Luna sleep.
“What are you thinking?” he asked softly.

Maria’s eyes never left Luna’s face. “It’s already dawn… why hasn’t she woken up yet? The doctor said she would wake up soon. Then why—”

“She’s just sleeping,” Jacob interrupted gently. “The doctor said there’s nothing to worry about. Let her rest.”

He looked at Maria closely. “What about you? You don’t look well.”

Maria swallowed hard.

“Jacob…” her voice trembled.

“I found Martha’s picture among Tia’s belongings.”

Jacob stiffened. “Martha? But how?”

“I don’t know,” Maria whispered. “Where did she get it from? She was calling her her mother.”

Her voice cracked. “I’m scared,

Jacob. I don’t want to lose my baby again. What if she decides to leave us? What will we do then?”

Jacob pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. He kissed her forehead.
“Nothing bad will happen,” he said firmly. “She’s our daughter. She’s not going anywhere.”

Mandes Estate

Malcolm sat at the breakfast table, his posture relaxed but commanding.

“Did you order the flowers I asked for?” he questioned.
“Yes, sir,” the maid replied promptly.

“And who’s in charge of the garden?”

“I am, sir,” the gardener said. “Everything is ready. Would you like to take a look?”

“Yes.”

Malcolm stepped outside, strolling through the garden, a faint smile on his lips.

Tia loves gardens, he thought. Last time she was here, she spent most of her time outside. Especially the hidden white rose garden. She stood on the bridge for hours, just watching.

It was my mother’s favorite place.

Memories tightened his chest.

It was the only place she felt at peace. When she became too weak to walk, I wheeled her here myself.
No matter how late Dad came home, we always took evening walks together—first in Pacheco, then in Panaji. He never failed to make time.

His expression softened, then hardened with resolve.

I want us to be like them.

Dad changed everything for Mom—his job, his circle, even where he lived. And he never regretted it.

When Mom died, I was furious. Angry at the world. I made mistakes—stupid mistakes. I thought, what’s the point of being good when the one person who mattered was gone?
His jaw clenched.

Then I met Tia.

She made me want to be good again.

I would change myself… even the world… for her.

His eyes darkened.
And if anyone tries to take you away from me, I will change their world too.
I won’t let you die like my mother. And if you do— I won’t hesitate to follow you.
They say “till death do us part.” I say even death cannot part us.

His phone rang.

“Good morning, sir,” William said.

“I’ve sent you today’s schedule.”

“Reschedule the Team-A meeting after lunch. Everything else is fine.”

“Yes, sir. Uh… Bosco said he won’t remove his resort.”

“Who?”

“Bosco—the owner of the resort at the new port-of-call location.”

“Offer more money.”

“They won’t accept any.”

Malcolm’s voice turned cold.

“William, how long have you worked for me?”

“Seven years, sir.”

“Then you know what to do. If a thorn sticks to your foot, you remove it and move on. Don’t waste my time. Call Victor. Let him handle it.”

Coelho Mansion

Luna woke slowly.
Her eyes fixed on the ceiling, its simple patterns twisting into something unfamiliar—like a puzzle she could never solve.

The conversation from the previous night replayed endlessly in her mind, rewinding the moment it ended.

Hope drained from her eyes.

They were dull now. Empty.

Maria noticed she was awake.

“Tia,” she called gently. “How are you feeling?”

No response.

Luna continued staring at the ceiling.

The doctor examined her. “She’s physically fine.”

Luna heard Maria questioning the doctor anxiously, Jacob calming her down.

Then Jacob’s phone rang.

“Good morning, old man!” Lazarus’s cheerful voice rang out.

“Good morning,” Jacob replied.

“You sound tired. Everything alright?”

“Just the weather,” Jacob said. “Nothing serious.”

“So—how’s my daughter? Has she decided? Malcolm is already busy with preparations.”

Jacob hesitated. “About that—”

“I will go.”

Everyone froze.

Jacob covered the phone. “Are you sure? You can still cancel.”

“I’m sure,” Luna said flatly.

Jacob nodded and returned to the call. “She’ll come. I’ll bring her in an hour or two.”

“Excellent!” Lazarus said. “I’ll inform Malcolm. See you soon.”

Luna closed her eyes.

She had already lost everything.
What difference would one more place make?