Chapter 49 – A Family Beyond Blood
Author's POV
Shadow League Headquarters...
The conference room remained silent.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the screen.
Lucien Blackwood.
The man everyone believed had died...
Was alive.
Yuri slowly lowered his head.
"My mother..."
"...and my little sister..."
"They're already in his hands."
"I couldn't save them."
His voice trembled with guilt.
Jay looked at him.
"You did everything you could."
Yuri shook his head.
"No..."
"I failed them."
Jay walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You didn't fail."
"Lucien is our enemy now."
"We'll bring them home."
"No matter what."
Scott stepped forward.
"Our Boss never breaks a promise."
Nathan nodded.
"And neither do we."
Lucas smiled confidently.
"We'll get them back."
Damien folded his arms.
"Lucien made the biggest mistake of his life."
"He challenged Shadow League."
Zane smirked.
"He's going to regret it."
Aiden looked at Yuri.
"From this moment..."
"You're not fighting alone."
Yuri looked around the room.
For the first time since disappearing...
He finally felt hope.
---
A short while later...
Several black SUVs stopped in front of a beautiful private mansion.
Yuri looked outside.
"...Where are we?"
Jay smiled.
"My home."
The gates slowly opened.
The vehicles entered.
The peaceful mansion looked nothing like the headquarters beneath the city.
Yuri smiled faintly.
"It feels..."
"Peaceful."
Jay looked at the mansion.
"That's exactly why I built it."
---
Inside...
The front door opened.
A beautiful woman walked into the living room.
The moment Jay saw her...
She smiled warmly.
"Ma."
Serena smiled and opened her arms.
"Welcome home."
Jay hugged her tightly.
"I missed you."
Serena gently stroked her hair.
"I missed you too."
The commanders smiled.
No matter how feared their Boss was...
She always became a loving daughter around Serena.
Serena then noticed Yuri.
Her eyes widened.
"...Yuri?"
Yuri froze.
"...Aunt Serena?"
He couldn't believe his eyes.
"I..."
"I thought..."
"They said you died."
Serena smiled sadly.
"That was Kaizer's plan."
"If Jay hadn't saved me..."
"I wouldn't be here today."
Yuri slowly looked at Jay.
"So..."
"You really saved her."
Jay simply nodded.
---
A few minutes later...
Everyone gathered in the living room.
Scott happily accepted a cup of tea.
"Ma..."
"I've missed your tea."
Nathan laughed.
"You always say that."
Scott shrugged.
"Because it's true."
Lucas reached for the cookies.
"They smell amazing."
Damien immediately grabbed one.
"They taste even better."
"HEY!"
Zane pointed at Damien.
"You took the biggest one!"
"It was calling my name."
Aiden couldn't stop laughing.
"You guys are unbelievable."
Soon...
The six commanders were arguing over cookies.
Serena laughed so hard that tears formed in her eyes.
"You boys haven't changed at all."
Scott smiled sheepishly.
"We only act like this around you, Ma."
Serena looked at all of them with warmth.
Scott...
Nathan...
Lucas...
Damien...
Zane...
Aiden...
Then finally...
Jay.
"You know..."
"I've never seen any of you as my soldiers."
"I've always seen you..."
"...as my children."
The room fell silent.
Jay smiled softly.
"We love you too, Ma."
Scott grinned.
"So..."
"Who's your favourite?"
Nathan immediately pointed at Scott.
"Definitely not him."
Everyone laughed.
Serena shook her head.
"I love all of you equally."
Damien sighed dramatically.
"There goes my dream."
More laughter filled the mansion.
---
A few moments later...
Serena looked around the room.
Her smile slowly faded.
"...Where's Keifer?"
The room became quiet.
Jay gently held Serena's hand.
"He's doing well, Ma."
"He's back in the Philippines."
Serena's eyes brightened.
"He came home?"
Jay nodded.
"He's officially the CEO of Watson Enterprises now."
A proud smile appeared on Serena's face.
"My son..."
"I always knew he could do it."
Scott smiled.
"He earned everyone's respect."
Nathan nodded.
"He never gave up."
Lucas added,
"He's becoming a leader just like you hoped."
Tears slowly formed in Serena's eyes.
"I wish..."
"I could tell him how proud I am."
Jay smiled reassuringly.
"You will."
"When the time is right."
"I promise."
Serena squeezed Jay's hand.
"Thank you..."
"For protecting Keifer."
"For protecting Kerian."
"And..."
"For protecting me."
Jay smiled warmly.
"You're my family, Ma."
"I'll always protect my family."
Yuri quietly watched everything.
His heart felt warm.
For the first time in months...
He truly understood why everyone followed Jay.
She didn't just save lives...
She gave people a family.
But deep inside...
He couldn't stop thinking about his own.
His mother...
And his little sister...
Were still waiting for someone to save them.
Jay noticed the sadness in his eyes.
She silently made another promise.
"I'll bring them home."
No matter what it cost.
To Be Continued...
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Author's Note
Sometimes...
Family isn't connected by blood.
It's connected by love. ❤️
But while this family shares a peaceful moment...
Another family is still waiting to be reunited.
Love you all veryyyyyyy much! 🫂💕
Your Author 💖