Elena stepped into the house, her eyes immediately landing on Hailey sitting at the dining table, chattering away with her nanny. The little girl was so absorbed in their conversation that she didn’t even notice her mother’s arrival. The nanny, amused, chuckled softly at whatever Hailey was saying.

"Ma’am... you’re back," the nanny murmured, rising to her feet.

Hailey turned her head just in time to see her mother fully enter the house. Her eyes lit up.

"Mom!" she beamed, abandoning her food as she jumped off her chair and ran toward Elena.

Elena knelt down, gently ruffling her daughter’s hair. "How have you been, my love?" she asked, cupping...