Chapter 4 - The Discovery in the StudyBy mid-October, five weeks after Annie had taken over the care of my sons, the Westchester estate felt alive again.
The dark heavy drapes in the living rooms had been thrown wide open, letting in the golden autumn sunlight that illuminated the manicured gardens outside. The sound of silver laughter, small running footsteps, and warm acoustic music echoed through the hallways.
Jordan and Justin had gained weight, their cheeks bloomed with rosy health, and their nightmares had reduced from every night to an occasional, soft whimpering that was instantly comforted by either me or Annie.
I worked from my home study three days a week, keeping my promise to be present for every dinner, every bedtime story, and every weekend trip to the local apple orchards.
One rainy Thursday afternoon, while the boys were taking their afternoon nap, Annie walked into my study carrying a stack of old leather-bound books she had been dusting in the library.
"Mr. Morrison," Annie said softly, holding out a faded blue velvet journal. "I found this behind the antique mahogany desk in the west library. It was tucked between the floorboards."
I looked up from my laptop, my heart taking a sudden, fluttering leap as I recognized the elegant, gold-embossed initials on the cover: L.V.M.
It was Lauren’s private personal diary—the one she had kept during her pregnancy and the first three years of the twins' lives.
My fingers trembled slightly as I took the velvet journal from Annie’s hands. "I thought she had lost this during our move from the city."
Annie offered a quiet, compassionate smile, turning to step toward the door to give me privacy.
"Annie, wait," I called out gently.
She stopped, looking back over her shoulder.
"Sit with me for a minute," I asked, gesturing to the leather armchair across from my desk.
Annie hesitated for a second, then softly walked over and sat down, her hazel eyes watching me with deep, genuine warmth.
I opened the journal to the last entry written by Lauren, dated just three weeks before the fatal accident on the Saw Mill River Parkway.
My eyes scanned the delicate blue ink:
“If anything ever happens to me, I know Arthur will try to carry the entire world on his shoulders. He thinks he has to be invincible to keep us safe. I just hope that if I'm not here, someone reminds him that his heart is the greatest gift he can give our boys... someone who sees the gentle man behind the billionaire.”
A quiet tear spilled over my lashes, cutting a clean track through my cheek.
I looked up from the page, meeting Annie's warm, hazel gaze across the desk.
"She knew me better than I knew myself," I whispered rasply.
May you like
Annie reached across the desk, her soft, warm fingers gently covering my hand where it rested over the journal.
"She knew you loved your sons, Arthur," Annie said softly, her voice thick with deep emotion. "And she was right. You just needed to remember how to open your heart again."
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