Chapter 514 Sleeping at Dad's House Tonight
Nathaniel secured the entire second floor of the café as his surveillance base. After Chnnell departed, he immediately contacted his local associates, orchestrating every detail for tomorrow's hospital operation. The police timeline remained frustratingly unpredictable—they had to be ready for anything.
Three days slipped by in a blur of routine. With Nathaniel absent, Aurelia maintained her evening ritual of taking the twins to visit Reed, weaving the careful lie that their father was handling urgent business matters in Imperick. She couldn't risk Reed's fragile health with the truth.
Marcus had become Reed's constant companion, secretly calling Nathaniel daily for updates while maintaining a façade of normalcy around the ailing patriarch.
When Aurelia arrived with Jacob and Dorothy, she found Reed staring vacantly in his study. The children burst through the door like tiny hurricanes, immediately gravitating toward their great-grandfather with infectious energy.
Marcus emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of fresh fruit, his expression weary. "Aurelia, Reed's been insisting on returning to Imperick. I'm thinking—since he needs rest regardless of location, and he's so determined—perhaps we should just take him home. If anything urgent arises at the company, you could handle it."
"What?" Aurelia's voice caught. She was no longer officially part of the Heilbronn Group, and making executive decisions would be grossly inappropriate. She knew Nathaniel well enough to trust that he'd arranged everything meticulously before departing. Minor issues fell within Zack's capabilities, while major decisions involving corporate secrets were beyond her purview.
"Marcus, if anything significant comes up, I'll have Zack contact you directly."
Marcus adjusted his glasses with a tired gesture. "Don't worry—there shouldn't be any major crises. Nathaniel's covered all the bases. We can always reach him by phone if necessary, but having you nearby would make logistics simpler."
"When are you planning to leave?"
Marcus gestured toward two packed suitcases by the door. "Tomorrow morning. Reed's barely eating, constantly murmuring about his late wife. He's convinced he left something important of Cathy's behind, and it's eating at him. The nightmares are relentless."
Aurelia absorbed this quietly. "Perhaps returning home is best. Imperick is where he's lived for decades—nowhere else could truly feel like home, no matter how comfortable."
She added, "I'll drive you to the airport tomorrow."
"That's unnecessary. Zack's handling the transportation. Just focus on the children, and remember to schedule video calls—they're the only thing keeping Reed's spirits up."
"Of course. I'll have them call at eight every evening, before his nine o'clock bedtime."
As they spoke, Reed emerged from the study, each trembling hand holding a small child. This illness had broken something fundamental in him—the proud, straight-backed patriarch now moved with the shuffling gait of defeat, his entire frame curved inward.
A troubling realization struck Aurelia: if Reed returned to Imperick, wouldn't Nathaniel's cover story about handling business there completely unravel? She bit her tongue, unwilling to voice her concerns in front of Reed.
The old man settled heavily onto the sofa while the children transformed into devoted shadows, demanding stories about his entrepreneurial adventures. Marcus found these tales tediously repetitive, but Jacob and Dorothy hung on every word with rapt attention.
Aurelia placed a glass of water within Reed's reach, noting the dark circles shadowing his eyes. "Grandpa, autumn's arrived in Imperick—it'll be cooler than Coral Bay. Don't forget an extra jacket tomorrow."
Reed's gaze remained downcast, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know. Nathaniel made me promise to call you if anything came up, though what could an old man who does nothing possibly need? You young people have your own lives—don't waste time worrying about me."
He turned toward Marcus with sudden purpose. "Bring me the wooden box from my nightstand."
Marcus dutifully retrieved an ornate ebony container, placing it carefully in Reed's weathered hands. With the solemnity of a man dictating his final will, Reed began removing items one by one—property deeds, house keys, and precious family heirlooms accumulated over a lifetime.
He pressed a set of keys into Aurelia's palm. "This house contains my most treasured possessions—paintings, calligraphy, collectibles I've gathered over the years. They're for Jacob and Dorothy now. Keep them safe until the children are old enough to appreciate them, then let them decide what to do with everything. Nathaniel knows the address—he'll show you the way."
Having distributed his earthly possessions, Reed seemed to deflate with relief, closing his eyes as if mentally checking items off an invisible list.
Aurelia clutched the keys tightly. "Grandpa, wouldn't it be better to wait? Let the children receive these gifts from you personally when they're older?"
Reed's sigh carried the weight of mortality. "By the time they're grown, I'll be long gone. Better to settle these matters now, while I still can."
Dorothy had been listening intently, her bright eyes processing every word. "Great-grandpa, why do you have to go back to Imperick? Can't you stay in Coral Bay longer? What if Jacob and I want to visit you?"
Jacob nodded earnestly. "Is there someone special waiting for you in Imperick?"
Reed opened his eyes, studying both children with profound tenderness. "Yes, someone very special is calling me home. You two must take care of your mother—she suffered greatly bringing you into this world. Promise me you'll always protect her, no matter what happens."
Jacob straightened with fierce determination. "If anyone hurts Mommy, I'll beat them until they run away crying!"
Reed chuckled despite his melancholy. "My little warrior, ready to fight already?"
Jacob puffed out his small chest proudly. "Daddy promised to teach me taekwondo when he comes back from his business trip. Every family needs a strong man to protect the ladies."
Reed's approval was evident. "You're already braver than your father was at your age."
Emboldened by praise, Jacob pressed eagerly, "Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?"
Aurelia hesitated fractionally. "As soon as he finishes his work."
"Can we sleep at Daddy's house tonight?"
After brief consideration, Aurelia agreed.
Once Reed retired for the evening, Aurelia took the children upstairs. Everything remained exactly as he'd left it—even the refrigerator still held the yogurt and fruit he'd bought for her. She prepared a small snack, though neither she nor the children had much appetite. Without Nathaniel's presence, the spacious home felt hollow and unwelcoming.
After tucking Jacob and Dorothy into bed, Aurelia retreated to the master bedroom, sinking into the king-sized bed that still carried his distinctive scent. At that moment, Nathaniel's video call illuminated her phone screen.
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