Eventually, my father regained consciousness, letting out a weak groan. With careful hands, people helped him to his feet and guided him away, escorting him to a quiet room deeper in the estate where he could rest. Two of his oldest soldiers flanked him without being asked, one of them murmuring into a phone, calling the family doctor.
"Where are the twins?" someone suddenly asked, breaking the tension.
"I think they went to get their admission letters," another replied uncertainly.
At that exact moment, the grand doors at the front of the hall swung open.
Two teenagers walked in.
Tessa and Adrian.
They had grown over the years, filled out a little, their features more defined now, but their smiles were still the same. Bright. Familiar. Once full of warmth.
But the moment their eyes landed on me, everything changed.
Their expressions hardened.
They turned away.
Without hesitation, they ran straight toward Nico.
"Dad!" Tessa beamed, throwing her arms around him. "Aunt Giada! We did it! We both got in!"
Nico's face lit up with pride. "I knew you would," he said warmly. "I'm so proud of you both."