Chapter Ten
It had been a longtime since Mrs. Kock last visited the East Wing of the mansion in person. She rarely needed to—thanks to the estate's central CCTV system, she could monitor every inch of the property from the comfort of her private suite. But today was different. Today, she needed to show up—not as a woman of power, but as a mother seeking peace.
She had come to thank Rebecca and her son for attending David's funeral. And deep within her heart, she hoped for more—a rekindling of something that once felt like family. She couldn't deny the truth: Rebecca brought light into Steven's life. Time and again, she had been the source of his healing—his anchor during storms no one else could calm.
As she approached the door, nerves danced in her chest. She knew what had happened over the years. She knew there were wounds still bleeding, hearts still aching.
When the doorbell rang, Steven was lost in thought. He snapped to attention and rose to his feet. Could it be Rebecca? He hesitated. There was always something mystic about her—something unexplainable that he hoped to unravel, though he never rushed it.
He opened the door.
"Mum!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"What kind of question is that, Steven? Isn't Rebecca my guest too? I'm here to see her and the child. Now, will you let me in?" she said, almost pushing past him as he stepped aside.
"They're gone, Mum."
"Gone? What do you mean?" Her voice caught.
"I was with Rebecca until midnight. Her heart is broken, Mum," Steven said, the pain evident in his voice.
"I understand, Steven."
"No, Mum," he cut in, his voice trembling. "You don't. You and Dad were cruel. You hurt her. You hurt me—your own son. Look what it has led to." His eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
Mrs. Kock's expression faltered. "I wasn't an active participant in that... it was your father. He was obsessed with protecting the business and his alliance with Cherry's father. I warned him, but he wouldn't listen."
"She's not ready to forgive," Steven's mother asked.
"Is there truly no hope for forgiveness?" she repeated asked softly.
"Mum, forgiveness without restitution is empty. She only came for the burial. She feels I betrayed her—that I didn't look for her. And I've discovered something else… something big."
Mrs. Kock leaned in. "What?"
"In the heat of our conversation, she said she almost lost her baby when Dad forced them to leave."
Mrs. Kock gasped, her face turning pale. "She was pregnant… Steven, oh my God." Her voice failed her. Emotion overwhelmed her like a crashing wave. Then suddenly, her expression shifted. She looked him directly in the eyes. "That boy—could he be… her child?"
Steven had turned away. He stood by the window of the grand Kock mansion, staring at the manicured lawns and flower beds. The paradise outside mocked the chaos in his soul. How could a place be so peaceful when his life had been anything but?
"Mum," he finally said without turning. "She didn't want to talk about it. She wouldn't even let me know his name. That's how deep the wound is."
Mrs. Kock moved to join him by the window. She placed her delicate, manicured hand—one David used to kiss before every business meeting—on Steven's shoulder.
"You have my full support," she whispered. "When I saw that boy… I didn't need a DNA test. The blood of the Kock family runs in his veins. He looks exactly like you at that age."
"But how do I find her again, Mum? Where do I even begin?" Steven's voice cracked under the weight of helplessness.
Mrs. Kock followed his gaze back to the tranquil estate, then turned inward with a strength only time and wisdom could give. Her voice was calm but firm.
"You must not die before death comes. Keep hope alive. Consistency breaks even the strongest walls. If finding her is your purpose now, pursue it without fear. And never stop."