Chapter 5

The little girl stretched her tiny arms and slowly opened her eyes.

She blinked once.

Then twice.

The first thing she saw was her father and brother staring at her as though she might disappear if they looked away for even a second.

She let out a confused little coo.

James, who had been watching the entire spectacle from the doorway, finally burst into laughter.

"I think... you two should give the poor child a little space."

Alex frowned.

"Uncle James, you don't understand."

"I read that babies have very weak memories. If they don't see someone often, they might forget them."

Kylie's expression immediately turned pale.

"...What?"

Alex nodded seriously.

"So if you spend the whole day at the office..."

Kylie's eyes widened in horror.

"My daughter..."

"...might forget me?"

He looked at the baby with the expression of a man whose entire world was collapsing.

"And... she'll replace the bond we built last night?"

James bit his lip so hard it almost hurt, desperately trying not to laugh.

One night.

The man had become a father for exactly one night... and he was already worried about being replaced.

Around them, the servants bustled happily through the mansion.

Some prepared tiny dresses.

Others arranged bottles, blankets, and toys.

The entire household had unknowingly begun revolving around its newest and smallest mistress.

Meanwhile, the little lady looked from her father...

...to her brother...

...then back again.

Her tiny brows knitted into an adorable frown, as if she were wondering why the two strangest people she had ever met kept making such ridiculous faces.

A moment later, she let out a loud, cheerful coo.

Alex gasped.

"She smiled at me!"

"No," Kylie protested immediately. "She was smiling at me."

"Oh, really? Then why is she looking at me now?"

"Because she's being polite."

James finally gave up and laughed aloud.

The once-silent mansion echoed with warmth, laughter, and the soft coos of the little girl who had unknowingly brought life back into a broken home.

The Sterling mansion, once filled with celebrations for the birth of its first daughter in generations, now prepared for her funeral.

No body.

Only a tiny yellow blanket.

Darren Sterling stood before his family, trying to speak.

"My granddaughter..."

His voice trembled.

For the first time in decades, the head of the Sterling family couldn't keep his composure.

"...will be laid to rest tomorrow."

He lowered his head, unable to continue.

Olga quietly reached for his hand, silently lending him the strength he no longer possessed.

The three brothers stood in silence beside their wives.

No one had the courage to say a word.

Then, a small voice broke the silence.

"Uncle..."

William looked up with tear-filled eyes.

"Did our baby sister... not like us?"

Allen sniffled.

"Is that why she went to heaven without meeting us?"

Brandon hugged his brothers tightly.

"We were going to protect her..."

Little Ryan wiped his eyes with his tiny sleeves.

"Did we do something wrong?"

Paris covered her mouth as a broken sob escaped her.

Christen closed his eyes, but no words came.

How could he explain the death of a baby to children?

Seeing everyone's silence, Cameron knelt before the boys.

He gently placed a hand on each of their heads.

"No, boys."

"Your sister loved all of you."

"Then... why did she leave?" Ryan whispered.

Cameron's smile was filled with sorrow.

"Because..."

"She was so pure..."

"So precious..."

"...that even Heaven couldn't bear to be without her."

The boys listened quietly.

"So don't think she abandoned you."

"She'll always be watching over her four big brothers."

William looked toward the evening sky beyond the window.

"Then..."

"Which star is she?"

Amyra knelt beside Cameron, gently wiping Ryan's tears.

She smiled through her own.

"The brightest one."

The four boys looked up together.

From that day onward...

Whenever the night sky glittered with countless stars...

They searched for the brightest one.

Believing...

Their little sister was smiling down at them.

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