Chapter 6 - The Storm at Collins Manor
That evening, Nathan returned home to find Mia and Lily sitting on the carpet of the library, surrounded by old photo albums they had pulled from the lowest shelf.
"Uncle Nathan! Look!" Lily squeaked, holding up a black-and-white photo.
Nathan knelt beside them. It was a photograph of a young Clara and a teenage Nathan, sitting on the porch of the estate, laughing together before their father had pulled them apart. On the back, in his mother’s old handwriting, was written: My complete world.
"Mommy looks happy here," Mia said quietly. "Is she going to come home soon?"
"Very soon, sweetie," Nathan said, kissing the top of Mia's head. "The doctors said she can leave the hospital in two days."
"Uncle Nathan?" Lily tugged at his sleeve. "Why was Grandpa so mad at Mommy?"
Nathan looked at the small, innocent face. He knew he couldn't explain corporate greed or family bitterness to a six-year-old.
"Grandpa made a big mistake," Nathan explained softly. "He forgot that being a family is more important than being powerful. But he left me here to make sure I don't make the same mistake."
Just then, his phone rang. It was the hospital.
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"Mr. Collins," the head nurse said frantically. "Richard Sterling is here in Mrs. Collins's room. He brought lawyers. He’s trying to get her to sign trust agreement documents!"
Nathan’s blood ran cold. "Do not let her sign anything! I'm on my way!"
