Chapter Five – A Mother's Instinct
Sinclair Apartment – That Evening
Ava's hands shook as she gripped the steering wheel, the city lights streaking past like neon warnings.
Jessica's words echoed in her head.
> "Liam collapsed during playtime. He's okay now, just a mild fever—but something's off, Ava. He asked for his dad."
Her foot pressed harder on the gas.
Liam had never met Damien. Never even seen a photo. But lately, he'd started asking questions:
> "Why don't I have a daddy like other kids?"
She didn't have answers. Not yet.
When she burst through the apartment door, Liam was curled up on the couch under a blanket, pale but smiling weakly. Jessica sat beside him, tablet in hand, frowning.
Ava dropped to her knees and gathered him into her arms.
"Hey, baby. Mommy's here."
"I'm okay," Liam whispered. "I just wanted to see you."
"I'm never going to leave you," she promised, brushing his curls from his forehead.
Jessica rose quietly, motioning Ava to follow her into the hallway.
"He had a low-grade fever and said his legs felt weak. I ran a full test panel. It's probably viral... but Ava—"
"What?"
Jessica hesitated. "There's a family history Damien needs to know. What if it's genetic?"
Ava flinched.
"I'm not ready to tell him yet," she whispered.
Jess folded her arms. "Then get ready. Because secrets don't stay buried forever. And if something's wrong with Liam—he has a right to know."
Wolfe Estate – Upper East Side
The next day
Damien stood stiffly in the sunroom, sipping espresso as classical music floated through the air like a trap.
His mother, Veronica Wolfe, entered like a queen entering her court—pearls, diamonds, and a cloud of expensive disdain. Her gaze flicked to him, sharp as a scalpel.
"You've been distracted lately," she said, sitting primly on a velvet chaise. "Is it the board? Or a woman?"
Damien didn't answer.
Veronica smiled thinly. "Ah. It's her. Ava Sinclair. The girl who vanished after disgracing this family."
Damien's jaw clenched. "She didn't disgrace anyone. She left me. That's between us."
"She was never one of us, Damien," Veronica said coolly. "She was a phase. And a liability. Her reappearance will only stir scandal—and weakness."
He turned on her. "Don't talk about her like she's disposable."
Veronica tilted her head. "You forget—my job was to clean up your messes. Like the private investigator I paid to track her down. You're welcome, by the way."
Damien froze. "You did what?"
"I had her followed. Her disappearance was humiliating. And now she's back, prancing through your company like she owns the place. Do you think she's here for you? Or your fortune?"
He stared at her, fury boiling beneath his skin.
"You had no right."
"I have every right," she said sharply. "Your father trusted the wrong woman. I won't let you do the same."
He turned away, trembling with rage—and realization.
His mother knew more than she was letting on.
Which meant: What else had she found out?
👑 Side Character Expansion: Veronica Wolfe
Role: Damien's mother and the social gatekeeper of the Wolfe legacy
Age: Early 60s
Occupation: Philanthropist, board member of Wolfe Industries, society queen
Personality: Manipulative, calculating, polished—but dangerously perceptive
Why She Matters:
Veronica views Ava as a threat—not just to Damien's image but to the Wolfe brand.
She believes love is a weakness and detachment is power, values she instilled in Damien from childhood.
Her interference five years ago may have played a key role in Ava's decision to leave. She knew about the pregnancy… and made sure Ava felt unworthy of the Wolfe name.
She's already suspicious that Ava is hiding something—and she's going to dig until she finds it.
Plot Role:
Veronica is the perfect antagonist for Ava: intelligent, poised, but ruthless.
She will eventually discover Liam's existence—and threaten custody, not out of love for the boy, but to control Ava and protect the family name.
She's Damien's blind spot—and will test his loyalty to Ava like no one else.