Come To The Estate
Rowan's POV
Cedric was floating. He praised himself for being the best mafia dad in the world.
He laughed as he watched the news of the Davenports. Lucious had killed himself.
It was crazy how he spent so much time trying to destroy me and my family only for him to be gone with the snap of a finger.
Cowardice.
"You see how fast I am? Easy death. No problems, no trouble. I don't stall, unlike you," the old man pointed at me. I gave Cedric a side-eyed look. He was dressed in grey slacks and a white shirt. His grey hair was brushed back, slightly damp from the shower he'd taken after cooking dinner for the twins.
They were curled up beside him now, fast asleep on the couch, their soft breathing the only sound in the room.
After school, they came straight here. Cedric had become their routine. Their anchor while we waited.
Waited for her.
Remi.
I wasn’t sure if she’d ever wake up. Or worse, if she did, if she would even remember who we were. The doctors called it a miracle that she survived the surgery. That her heart kept beating. But there was no telling what the damage to her brain had cost her.
The glass had done more than scar her skin. It had sliced into the parts of her no one could see. Parts tied to her memories. Her personality. Her voice.
Every time I walked into that room, I held my breath. Hoping for her eyes to open. Fearing what they might look like when they did.
But through all of it, I stayed.
Even when it broke me.
Even when I couldn't forgive myself for what I did to her.
The guilt haunted me. It clung to me like a second skin.
But I was going to make up for it. Somehow.
I took care of her the only way I could now. I cleaned her body gently with warm water, whispering things I hoped she could still hear. I told her about Davenport. About how it ended. How the man who ruined everything for us died the way he lived—alone, angry, and meaningless.
I even chuckled. "As for Gigi," I muttered as I washed her arms, "she's hiding now. Face buried somewhere. Hopefully she doesn’t show it around here again."
The room was silent. Her machines hummed softly. She still hadn’t moved.
But I held her hand anyway.
Then my phone rang.
My grandfather.
I stared at the screen for a second before answering.
"Come to the estate. Now."
No explanation.
Just those words. Cold. Demanding.
I ended the call and turned to Cedric. He was whistling softly, brushing Laura’s hair from her face.
"Go," he said without looking at me. "I’ll watch my daughter."
It made something tight in my chest loosen. Hearing him say that. Acknowledging her.
I nodded. "I’m a call away."
Then I grabbed my coat and stepped out into the night.
****
I stepped into the estate like I owned it.
Because, well… I did.
The walls hadn’t changed. Same portraits. Same intimidating archways designed to make men feel small. But I didn’t feel small anymore.
Not after everything.
“Ah. You came,” my grandfather said, standing at the far end of the hall like some smug monarch. He didn’t move to greet me, just motioned with two fingers for me to come closer. “It’s been long overdue.”
I said nothing. Just walked toward him, each step heavier than the last.
“I heard about Luca,” he said with a faint smile. “You brought the Vaughns to the dentist of empires. A man of innovation, like you. The board was impressed. And so was I.”
He clapped once.
“Congratulations.”
“Is that what this is?” I asked, my voice flat. “A performance review?”
He chuckled. “Don’t be so cold. The Vaughns are proud of you.”
“Which Vaughns?” I tilted my head. “Because the ones who raised me are right behind you… and they haven’t said a word.”
My father—no, my uncle—cleared his throat. My mother stood next to him, hands folded like she was at church. They hadn’t aged much. Still looked like the cold, elegant people who gave me food, clothes, and a roof but never once gave me love.
“We’ve heard everything,” my father said. “The accident. The girl. The twins. The silence. It was cruel, Rowan… but maybe it’s time we moved on. For what it’s worth, we’ll accept her now. Remi.”
“Accept her?” I repeated, laughing bitterly. “You think I’m here to ask for your blessing?”
They exchanged glances.
“No. No, don’t bother looking at each other like I’ve lost my mind.” I stepped forward. “I came here because I was summoned. But let’s make something clear.”
I pulled out a folded document and handed it to my grandfather. “You built this company.You built it, and you handed it to your son. A man who did nothing but run it like a legacy toy. He didn’t care. He never built anything hi
mself. Never fought for it. Never bled for it.”
I looked straight at my father.
“So I took it back.”
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