Chapter 3 - The First Morning
The golden rays of the autumn sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the east wing bedroom.
Lily woke up first. She didn't scream or jump out of bed. Instead, she lay completely still, her bright blue eyes scanning the unfamiliar room—the high ceilings, the intricate crown molding, the soft velvet curtains, and the warm, thick comforter wrapped around her.
She reached over, shaking Owen’s shoulder gently. "Owen... wake up."
Owen rubbed his eyes, clutching his teddy bear. "Are we at the airport again?"
"No," Lily whispered. "We're in the giant house."
Slowly, hand-in-hand, the two five-year-olds slipped out of the high bed, their bare feet sinking into the plush Persian rug. They tiptoed toward the heavy wooden door, which was slightly ajar.
In the hallway outside, Colonel Steel was sitting on a high-backed wooden chair, dressed in a comfortable grey Army physical training sweater and dark trousers. He was reading a briefing document, but the moment the door creaked, he set the paper aside.
"Good morning, soldiers," Steel said softly, crouching down so he was eye-level with them.
Owen shrank slightly behind Lily, but Lily took a small step forward. "Did you stay here all night?"
"I told you I wouldn't leave my post," Steel replied gently. "Are you hungry?"
Owen’s stomach let out a loud, traitorous rumble, causing the tiny boy to flush bright red.
For the first time, a small, genuine smile touched Steel’s lips. "I take that as an affirmative. Follow me."
Downstairs in the sunlit breakfast room, Mrs. Higgins had prepared a feast fit for a royal family: stacks of golden pancakes, fresh strawberries, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and warm milk.
The twins stood near the doorway, staring at the table with wide, cautious eyes. They hadn't seen this much food in months. Since their father’s death, Evelyn had restricted them to plain toast and water, constantly telling them that food cost money they didn't deserve.
"Sit down," Steel said gently, pulling out two wooden chairs. "It's all for you."
Lily looked at Steel, her lower lip trembling slightly. "Are... are we allowed to eat the strawberries?"
Steel felt a sudden, sharp pang in his chest that no combat injury could ever match. "You can eat every single strawberry on that table, Lily. And if you want more, Mrs. Higgins will make a hundred more."
Owen didn't wait. He scrambled onto the chair and reached for a pancake, taking a massive bite. Strawberry juice dribbled down his chin.
"Owen, manners!" Lily scolded softly, though her own eyes were fixed hungrily on the bacon.
"It's alright, Lily," Steel chuckled softly, taking a seat at the head of the table, pouring himself a cup of black coffee. "A good soldier needs fuel."
As the children ate, the heavy front door chime rang through the foyer.
Major Hayes walked into the room, holding a tablet and looking tense. He glanced at the children, then motioned for Steel to step into the hallway.
Steel stood up quietly. "Finish your breakfast, kids. I'll be right back."
In the hallway, Hayes handed Steel the tablet. "Sir, we have a major problem. Evelyn Reed’s legal team just filed an emergency injunction with the Cook County Family Court. They're accusing you of using military force to illegally detain her children and demanding their immediate return to her custody before noon today."
Steel’s eyes darkened as he scrolled through the legal filing. "Who is the presiding judge?"
"Judge Harold Sterling," Hayes replied grimly. "He’s known for strict adherence to parental rights laws. If we don't show up in court at ten o'clock with a ironclad defense, he will order the police to remove the children from this house today."
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Steel looked back toward the breakfast room. Through the doorway, he could see Lily carefully wiping strawberry juice off Owen’s face with a napkin, her small hands moving with a maternal gentleness that no five-year-old should ever have to possess.
"Call Marcus," Steel said, his voice dropping into a lethal, quiet tone. "Tell him we're going to court. And tell him to bring the full dossier on Evelyn Reed’s trust fund activities."
