“I thought it was best to let you live the life you wanted,” Lila continued. “And honestly, they needed stability, not the turbulence of a high-profile life.”

Her words, though gentle, carried a weight that anchored Alexander to a reality he had ignored for too long. He realized then that his success, while monumental, was built on a foundation of choices that had cost him dearly. He looked at his children—truly looked—and felt a yearning for something he never knew he was missing.

As Cassandra mingled with guests, oblivious to the interaction, Alexander felt a pull towards something genuine. “Lila, I… I want to know them,” he said, a sincerity in his voice that was new even to him.