The Fast Rising Billionaire

James's Dead

Months slipped away like sand through fingers, each day made even more dull by the absence of James. The Caruthers family continued their relentless search, but hope seemed to disappear with every passing moment. Lily, now accustomed to the quiet atmosphere, grew older, her having of asking questions making way for a more somber understanding of the situation.

In the living room, where laughter and celebration once bounced off the walls, there lingered a heaviness that was so real that it could be felt. Rhoda's belly had swelled with the promise of a new addition to the family, which brought a lot of joy, a stark contrast to the absence that had been left by James's absence. Mrs. Davies, ever a comforting presence, continued to hold the threads of the household and offered them a small sense of normalcy, at least.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the clouds in the sky, casting long shadows across the Caruthers home, Melody and Austin, Laura's parents, arrived for a visit. The aro