"Understood. About MS. WILKIE." asked SHANE.

"Go ahead and sign as usual," replied GABRIEL.

"Got it," said SHANE.

After hanging up, GABRIEL's expression had turned icy.

If I had not come back, he could have spent the rest of his life with JANE for the sake of WILHELM. But now that I was back, JANE had become no more than an obstacle, one that had to be removed.

In the case of WILHELM, GABRIEL was certain that he would soon accept me as his new mother.

The secretary who entered after a knock at GABRIEL's door couldn't miss the rare sight of GABRIEL's smile and commented, "MR. HACKETT, you seem...