"Mama, what's wrong?" she was surprised and turned to the her son who looked up at her with worry in his eyes. Naomi wiped her tears and stood up from the chair. She grabbed Zephyr's hand and the both quietly walked out of the room. She turned to look at the room before closing it.

They both went down the stairs just in time when Henley got back from outside. He immediately helped Naomi get down from the stairs as soon as he saw them. He carried Zephyr up in his arms and turned to Naomi. Naomi slowly put the letter on the countertop and followed Henley outside, slowly closing the front door.

She was scared of what Lydia could do and running away was the only thing she could think of at that moment. She knew she would eventually regret it, leaving Malina after finding out that her own sister was killing her, but this was her selfishness. She was scared that Lydia would do something to her and their child if she continued to stay as soon as she finds out what she found out.

****

"I shouldn't have ran away. Maybe I could've stopped Lydia. Maybe... maybe Malina would still be alive now.." Naomi cried, controlling her sobs as to not wake up the children and Mrs. Cortez. 

Henley stroked her back to calm her down. "Naomi, you know it's not your fault. Even if you did try to stop her, it would be too late" Henley said to her. 

"Still, I could've done something. Lydia would've been rotting in jail till now if only I'd stepped out and told the police what she did. Instead, I ran away like a coward" Naomi said as her tears continued to stream down her face. 

But Naomi knew. She knew her husband was right. It was too late. Malina would still die. But she was scared and chose to run away for her family. It was her guilt that she had been carrying since that night. 

Naomi continued to cry with her husband trying to calm her down. Meanwhile, Zephyr was deep in thought after all the revelations his mother had just said. He stood up and started walking towards the stairs to get back to his room. When he was about to open grab the doorknob of his room, Zephyr heard something her mother had said that made him stop midway. 

"That poor girl. How much she resented us... because we... I abandoned them... her. All alone in sorrow with no one...to lean on to.." Zephyr clenched his fists. He knew whom his mother was talking about and he regrets not ever being there for her too.

****

Zephyr and his father, Henley, were in the branch office of the Elms Foundation, an organization founded by Malina Lennox to support children passionate about art but unable to pursue it due to financial constraints. Henley, now managing the foundation after Malina's death, sat behind his large mahogany desk, papers and files spread out before him. The office, adorned with various art pieces, felt both like a place of business and a gallery.

Henley looked up from his work and asked, "How are the auction houses doing? We have a scheduled auction in a few days."

Zephyr, seated across from him, replied, "I called the department managers of each auction house we own. They said everything is running smoothly. The items to be auctioned are in good condition as well."

"That's good to hear," Henley responded, a hint of relief in his voice. He then shifted the conversation, his tone growing more serious. "What about the Elms Foundation? How are things progressing?"

Zephyr paused from browsing the documents in his hands and looked up at his father. "They're still pushing to appoint a new CEO," he said, his voice steady but concerned.

Henley sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose, a sign of his mounting stress. "If you don't want them to, you have to convince Nalani to go with us to the board meeting. They want to hear the reason for her refusal from her."

"We can delay it for another week," Henley said, his voice weary. "Just until we solve this thing with Lydia."

Zephyr leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "What are you thinking of doing? We can't put her behind bars by just saying she intends to hurt Nalani. We need evidence from Aunt Malina's death, Dad."

Henley remained silent for a moment, his eyes distant, lost in thought.

"And Uncle Gio... you need to get him back, Dad," Zephyr added, his tone firm but compassionate. Henley's gaze shifted to his son, a mixture of pain and determination in his eyes.

Giovanni, Henley's younger brother, had been in a state of emotional and mental turmoil since Malina's death. Despite Mrs. Cortez's care, Giovanni's memory had faded, and he was unable to manage the foundation. Henley had consulted with Giovanni's doctor, who said there was still a possibility for recovery through therapy, but forcing him to remember too quickly could push him further into madness.

"It will take time," Henley murmured, more to himself than to Zephyr.

Zephyr, however, was relentless. "If what I think is true, that Lydia intends to kill Nalani for her sister Malina's fortune, then the board could choose to appoint her as the CEO since she is Malina's sister. The fastest way to bring Uncle Gio back is to 'force' him to remember his past."

Henley shook his head, his face pale. "We can't do that, Zephyr. Forcing him to remember could destroy him. He might lose his mind completely."

"Losing his mind is only a possibility, Dad," Zephyr insisted, leaning forward. "He could also remember if we do so. We can't save Nalani ourselves. She needs him now."

Henley stared at his son, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. The room was silent except for the distant ticking of a clock, each second amplifying the gravity of their conversation. Zephyr's eyes were earnest, his determination unwavering. He believed that the risk was worth taking, that Giovanni's recovery was not just possible but essential for Nalani's safety and the foundation's future.

Henley, however, was paralyzed by the fear of losing his brother entirely. The thought of Giovanni being driven to madness because of a decision he made was unbearable. He knew the risks, the potential consequences of pushing Giovanni too hard.

"Zephyr, you have to understand," Henley said, his voice trembling slightly. "If we push him too hard, we might lose him forever. I can't take that risk. I can't lose my brother."

Zephyr stood up, frustration and determination etched on his face. "I knew, Dad. I knew that she resented us. She wasn't even very happy when we showed up unannounced. I couldn't be there.. for her. That's why we.. you should try too, Dad. To make up for that"

Henley watched as his son left the room, the door closing softly behind him. He felt a pang of guilt and helplessness, torn between the safety of his brother and the urgent need to protect Nalani. The stakes were high, and the path forward was uncertain.

Henley sat back in his chair, his thoughts racing. He knew Zephyr was right about one thing: time was running out. The solution wasn't clear, but he had to find a way to protect his family without sacrificing his brother. The burden of the decision weighed heavily on him, and he prayed for the strength to make the right choice.