Stuart Gonzales and Keira's plane touched down right on time at Valerium's capital airport.

The Richards family's plane was scheduled to land fifteen minutes later, but Stuart couldn't wait. As soon as they deplaned, he and Keira hurried into a car and headed for the hotel where Caitlin and the others were staying.

The drive wasn't long, only about fifteen minutes, but to Stuart, time seemed to crawl. Every second felt like a year.

Keira was just as anxious. It had been over twenty years since she had last seen her daughter-in-law. Unlike typical in-law relationships, Keira and Carey had been as close as a real mother and daughter.

Keira turned to Stuart. "Stuart, what do you think of my outfit? Do I look old? I wonder if Carey will even recognize me!"

"You don't look old at all," Stuart shook his head, then asked, "What about me, Mom? Do you think I should change clothes when we get there?"

"No need," Keira said with a gentle smile. "You look just fine."

They tried to comfort each other, their nerves frayed.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of the hotel. They got out hastily.

Caitlin had been contacted beforehand, so she and Celeste were waiting at the entrance.

"Grandma, Dad."

"Grandma Keira, Stuart," Celeste echoed.

Keira smiled in greeting. "Freya, March."

Stuart, however, was impatient. "Freya, where's your mother? Why isn't she here? You said she was back!"

"Mom's upstairs," Caitlin explained. "March will take you and Grandma up first. I'll wait here for Grandma Hannah and my uncles!"

The Richards family's plane had also landed, and Hannah, along with several of her sons, was on her way.

Celeste nodded. "Grandma Keira, Stuart, please follow me."

Stuart and Keira quickly followed Celeste's lead. In about three minutes, they reached the top floor of the hotel.

Celeste stepped aside from the door. "Stuart, go ahead and open it. Carey is waiting for you on the other side."

Stuart nodded. The hand he placed on the doorknob was trembling. No one could possibly understand the storm of emotions raging inside him. He thought he'd never see his wife again in this lifetime.

He was ecstatic, but also terrified. He was afraid this was all a dream, that he would wake up to bitter disappointment.

Click.

The next second, Stuart turned the handle. The door swung open.

And there she was. Carey, standing right there. Alive and real. She looked just as she had over twenty years ago.

At that moment, Stuart could no longer hold back. He crossed the room in three strides and pulled Carey into a fierce embrace, holding her asaf hed never let go, sobbing ke a child. "Carey Carey ve finally found you..."

Although Carey didn't remember Stuart, his voice felt incredibly familiar-it was the voice that so wa often haunted her dreams Fleeting fragments of memories flashod through her mind. Most importantly, she found the scent of him deeply comforting. She loved it.

"Stuart?" The name slipped from her lips, almost involuntarily.

Hearing her say his name, Stuart was overjoyed. He pulled back, his face a mess

of tears and euphoria. "Yes, yes! I'm Stuart! It's me! Carey, you remember me, don't you?"

Carey shook her head slowly. "No..."

"It's okay. We'll find your memories together. I know you'll remember," he said, fresh tears welling in his eyes. "Carey, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault you've suffered for over twenty years..."

Keira approached with trembling steps, also in tears, and embraced Carey. "Carey, it's me, Mom. Freya's grandmother. Do you remember me?"

Just then, Hannah, supported by her sons Warren and Willis Richards, entered the room. "Carey! Carey, my child! I've finally found you! Your poor father... he passed away

without ever seeing you again. Who did this to you? Who caused our family to be separated for t

years? Carey, tell me! Who hurt you like this? I'll make them suffer a thousand cuts!"