Dennis snuggled into Kevin's arms, his laughter ringing out, bright and clear.

“Grandpa, you're amazing. I just know you'll bring Mom back."

Kevin chuckled and ruffled Dennis's hair. "Finally feeling better? Not mad at Grandpa anymore?"

Dennis's eyes sparkled with mischief as he grinned. “Not mad. Not at all. You're the best, Grandpa. I want us to always be close, forever. No more being upset."

Kevin's smile deepened, the lines around his eyes creasing with genuine warmth. Amelia came down the stairs, her eyes shining with relief and happiness. Finally. It was finally happening.

The heavy weight in her chest seemed to vanish. Isabella was going to be okay.

She walked over to Kevin and Dennis, her smile gentle and full of affection. "Alright, you two. Dennis, you just got back. Are you hungry? Dinner's almost ready."

"I'm starving!" Dennis announced, his voice loud and eager. "Let's eat!"

A maid stepped out from the kitchen, carrying a tray. "Dennis, dinner's ready. You can eat now," she said softly.

Dennis cheered and ran to the table, practically bouncing with excitement.

Amelia watched him and laughed. "This kid..."

Kevin glanced over at her, his eyes suddenly cold and searching in a way she had never seen before.

Amelia caught that look and paused, uneasy. "Grandpa, what's wrong?"

Kevin's voice was low and serious. "Are you happy now? All this time, you've wanted me to help Isabella Austin, right?"

Amelia's smile faded. Her fingers curled tight against her palm. "Of course I hoped you'd help Isabella, but Grandpa, I really don't know what you mean.”

Kevin let out a short, dismissive sound and sank back onto the sofa, his eyes narrowed as he watched her. "Everything that's happened lately has been too convenient, too strange. Dennis isn't the kind of kid who'd do something like that. I think. someone put the idea in his head."

Amelia's face went stiff as she forced a laugh. "Who would do that? No one would ever-"

Kevin took a sip of water and shot her a sharp look. "Really? And it's just a coincidence the sleeping pills Dennis took were yours?"

Even though Kevin was sitting and Amelia was standing, she felt small under his stare, like she was the one seated, powerless.

She couldn't meet his eyes. Her head dropped. "I already told you, Dennis snuck into my room and took my sleeping pills. I wasn't there, so he got the chance."

Kevin's tone was icy. "I checked the security cameras. Dennis never went into your room after you got home. Did the pills just walk into his hands on their own?"

The words hit her hard, and panic flashed in her eyes. Her voice shook. "Maybe... maybe I left them in his room by accident. I mean..."

"You're still not going to tell the truth?"

Kevin's voice cut right through her.

Amelia's hands clenched tight. She wouldn't admit to anything. "I'm telling the truth, Grandpa. I didn't do it. I never told Dennis to hurt himself. He already said he was just really sad..."

Kevin let out a cold laugh. "I must really be getting old, letting you pull something like this right under my nose, and you still won't be honest with me."

A cold sweat ran down Amelia's back. She tried to steady herself, lowering her head and swallowing hard. That's not true, Grandpa. You're reading too much int@things. I didn't do it. I swear."

Kevin crossed one leg over the other and spoke slowly. "Yesterday, you pushed Dennis to make a scene in front of me. Last night, you gave him those sleeping pills, using a suicide attempt to force me to give in. And today, you took his phone watch so- he couldn't answer my calls, still trying to back me into a corner."

“Amelia Lane, was it Dennis trying to force my hand, or was it you?"