---- Chapter 27: I Owe You an Apology November rolled in, and autumn wrapped Greystone in its cozy embrace. When Clara stepped out of the office, she slipped on a soft, long-sleeve knit cardigan. Living in her mom's hometown gave Clara a warm, comforting feeling she hadn't expected. Sure, Greystone was a sprawling international city-traffic jammed the streets, and skyscrapers stretched into the clouds-but beneath all that was a neighborhood vibe that felt real and alive. At nine o'clock that night, the riverside street buzzed with folks rushing home, while the cruise boats floated softly on the river, their lights painting the water with color. Nearby, kids were running wild in the park, their laughter ringing out like music, and the streets were dotted with people of all kinds-life pulsed everywhere. Leo should've been tucked in bed hours ago, but Clara wasn't rushing home. She walked slowly along her familiar route, the cool ---- river breeze carrying a faint salty tang. Her mom had told her once that autumn in Greystone meant you absolutely had to buy a pinwheel, hike up Fortuna Peak, and spin the wheel all the way around the summit-it was supposed to blow away a year's worth of bad luck. Feeling drawn to the idea, Clara pulled out her phone and texted Sierra: "Tomorrow's Saturday-wanna take the kids hiking up Fortuna Peak?" Sierra answered fast: "Sounds great! Sleep in and text me when you wake up." When Clara got home, she moved quietly through the dark house, slipping in the door without a sound, relieved to see the living room lights off. She really didn't want to face Aaron-his presence had. shattered whatever fragile peace was left between them. Just as she started up the stairs, a voice came from behind her: "How long are you going to keep hiding?" Startled, Clara turned to see Aaron standing in the study doorway, hands in his pockets, the moonlight casting shadows across his face. "You're home? Why didn't you turn on the lights?" "If 'd turned on the lights, you probably wouldn't have ---- dared to come in," Aaron teased. Clara looked awkward. "No, that's not it. I've just been really busy." Aaron asked, "Can we talk?" Clara hesitated. "I'm tired. Maybe some other time." Aaron stepped closer. "It won't take long." She thought about it-maybe clearing the air would help. "Okay... I'm sorry." Aaron blinked, confused. Clara kept going, "Having Leo without telling you, keeping it a secret all these years, no matter the reason, that was wrong. I owe you that apology." "But I don't want to make things more complicated," she added quietly, turning to head upstairs. Suddenly, Aaron grabbed her wrist, twisting it gently and pinning her against the stair railing. He looked down at her, his dark purple eyes blazing with a storm of feelings he was barely holding back. His voice dropped low and tense. "When Leo showed up, yeah, I was shocked. But this time with him? It's been the happiest thirty-five years of my life. I'm thankful you brought him to me. Aren't we aiming for