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Both worth millions. Both in their late twenties now, shining.

Raina was arguing with her producer through headphones, loud and animated like always. Across from her, Nia sat locked into her laptop, sketching cover concepts, color palettes scattered all over the screen.

They looked up at the same time.

“Ares!” Raina jumped up and hugged me hard. “You been gone forever.”

“Relax,” I said, smirking. “You know y'all got deadlines, right?”

Nia rolled her eyes. “Mr. Forbes walks in and immediately starts bossing.”

“That’s why the lights stay on,” I replied.

“Okay, so what’s our next move?” Nia asked, all business. I taught them everything they knew about being businesswomen. I went over the rollout plans. Budgets. Graphics. Marketing pushes. Tweaked a few things. Approved a campaign without blinking. Paid them what they were owed.

I made sure these girls wanted for nothing, and it wasn’t just because Big Ghost asked me to in his will. I wasn’t cruel. Never had been. I took care of what was mine and who I loved. These two had my whole heart.

“Stay out the blogs,” I told Raina. “Let the music talk.”

She saluted dramatically.

I tapped Nia’s screen. “Tighten that font. Send it to me when it’s cleaned up.”

She nodded, a proud smile slipping through.

Moments like this grounded me. Reminded me who I was outside the family politics.

I clapped both their shoulders and stepped back into the hall.

That’s when I heard her voice.

Leona’s voice hit the glass before I even saw her.

Low. Emotional. Smooth.

I walked straight to the studio she was in, knowing I shouldn’t have. Her voice always hit me in my soul.

She stood in the booth with her eyes closed, headphones on, body moving like she felt every lyric in her bones.

I stayed quiet behind the glass.

Watching.

The producer spotted me and froze. I lifted my hand.

Keep going.

She finished the verse, voice cracking just enough at the end to make it real.

When she stepped out and saw me, she didn’t look surprised.

Just slow, knowing.

The producer left, leaving us alone.

I studied her.

“You look better when you’re not belligerent on the internet.”