I took a deep breath and opened the door watching my parents rush to my side with a hopeful relieved expression. They tried to reach out to me everyday since our last encounter but I needed time. I wasn't ready yet to face them. I needed to take care of my family first. Now however? I was fully ready to move on and live the life I wanted. Not the one my father wanted for me. Not the one mom tried to desperately protect me from. But my own.

"Mi hijo(My son), how have you been?"Mom asked cupping my face with trembling fingers, emotions getting the better of her.

Dad stared at me with a fractured expression, his eyes moving from me to Agnus before stopping on Landon. "How have you both been?"

"Alright, Father." I said calmly before embracing mom in a warm hug that made her sob. I sighed against her temple, I didn't want to hurt her any further. I knew she regretted her decisions and realised her mistakes. That was enough for me. Dad too seemed worn down, judging from the bags under his eyes. It was time we all moved ahead.

Landon exhaled as Mom hugged him next. "I'm getting better.. I think" He whispered, hugging mom tightly. "I'm sorry Mamá Adriana, I'm truly sorry for everything"

"It's all forgiven, Mi hijo(My son). No more words now mhm? I'm just glad you're here with us" Mom replied, pulling away to cup his face tenderly.

Landon nodded gently leaning into mom's touch. "I'm here"

"Agnus, my boy! How are you doing? Congratulations for the engagement with Serena!"Mom said, moving to hug Agnus tightly.

He grimaced at the mention of Serena making me struggle to keep a serious face. But by God's grace I held my smile back and watched as Agnus hugged mom gently. "I'm alright, señora jefa(lady boss). I'm just glad to be here"

The moment mom smiled and stepped back, Father stepped forward placing one hand on Landon's shoulder and one hand on mine before nodding at Agnus in acknowledgement.

He took a deep breath and stared at us both with a soft look of acceptance I never thought I would ever see in his cerulean eyes. "I know I made mistakes that cost you both dearly and I know I raised you both with a firmer hand than most fathers would but it was truly never my intention to cause you pain. To cause you to feel suffocated like you didn't have a choice in the matter but to follow what I said and chose for you both. I see now how it wore you both down. How the guild wore you both down. I know why you're both here today and.. I already talked with the inner circle, they agreed to let you both go but with an oath of silence to be honoured. You both cannot under any circumstances divulge details about the organisation to anyone. And if you both ever decide to get back in business or even visit the guild for help and assistance, you're both welcome to do so"

Landon, Agnus and I all paused. Processing his words. We all exchanged a look. It's clear we had all expected a great load of arguments from Dad. He was the current godfather of the organisation in a way, so this acceptance was unbelievable to say the least. But fuck, was I grateful right now.

"You mean those words?"I asked, staring at my dad for the first time seeing a glimpse of the man who used to read me bedtime stories.

Father nodded, hugging me for the first time in ages. "Yes. I'm truly sorry for the pain I caused you both. The least I can do is make amends. I thought raising you the way I did would prepare you for the challenges of life, that it would protect you from experiencing what happened to Landon but I only ended up causing you both misery and that's something that I'll forever regret"

I hugged him back, hands fisting his suit. Those are the words I wanted to hear for ages. Hearing them now felt surreal but I held on to them with the desperation of a soul starved of freedom for too long.

"I forgive you, Dad.. I forgive you both "I said, pulling back to embrace mom again while Dad hugged Landon protectively.

"We are sorry for everything." Mom said, holding me close.

"It's in the past now, I'm not upset with both of you for anything. You tried your best to give me a better future and I know my parents would be happy to know you both adopted me" Landon said, hugging dad back.

"If Eli leaves though, who will become the heir to the guild?"Landon asked cautiously after they broke the hug.

"Agnus Hernández. If that's okay with you that is?"Father asked, making Agnus blink in surprise, his chocolate brown eyes widening.

"What? Father didn't tell me anything about this.. Wait.. That's why he arranged my wedding, that old man had it all planned." Agnus scowled, eyebrows creased.

My chest ached. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to, Agnus. No one will force you"

Agnus stared into my eyes, gaze softening. "I have always loved my job, Boss. My reaction is more of frustration towards dad. He's a calculative man. He probably chose Serena to secure my position as the next in line. And a potential child in the future? That's a jackpot for him."Agnus said, shaking his head.

Father chuckled. "That's quite accurate. Your father was the one who suggested the wedding when everyone vouched for you as the next heir"

Agnus sighed. "Of course he did."

"She's not that bad, Agnus. She's a lovely young lady" Mom said, smiling encouragingly.

Agnus gave her a quizzical look. "Lovely? Ain't nothing about her lovely, she looks like she's planning how to murder me on our wedding night in 10 different ways. How's that lovely?"

"That's precisely why she's perfect for you" I snorted.

"Right, if I knew you were this eager to get rid of me. I would have agreed to leave the guild with you guys, too" Agnus grumbled.

"So I take it that you agree to become the next Godfather?"Father asked, staring at Agnus with a raised eyebrow.

Agnus paused. Deep in thoughts. "Well, I genuinely don't have any issues with it.. Dad would have my head if I refuse either way but truly I love what I do and I'm damn good at it. So my answer is yes. But on one condition." He said, giving me and Landon a knowing look.

"I should have seen that coming.." Father grumbled before adding "What is it?"

"No more innocent blood. The guild will not under any circumstances agree to a killing contract if the motive is purely malicious and evil without any strong and valid reasons to go after that person." Agnus announced, making Father's eyes turn resigned as he gave us all the look of a man who's been waiting for his retirement for ages.

I was still damn proud of Agnus for his decision, though.

"Fine, have it your way" Father grumbled making Mom chuckle as he wrapped one arm around her waist.

Agnus grinned, eyes alight with mischief. "Oh I definitely intend to."

God help us. That man would give the inner members more grey hair very soon.