“Boys… this time they beat us without us realizing it. We have already lost. Hear me now. This is not the moment for long speeches. I will go to the authorities and confess everything. I will accept the punishment that is mine alone. You must protect what remains of Jenson Group. Keep enough money and strength to shield yourselves. Then take your mother to Motrar and find Blaise.

“No matter what happens, do not look back. Do not worry about me. I can face what comes. The one you must guard above all else is your mother. Do you understand?”

Dominic spoke. “Dad… you mean the accusations are true?”

Russell’s interjection came sharply.

“Promise me, Dominic. Stop asking questions. If you still trust me as your father, then do exactly as I tell you.”

The weight of his words struck the room like iron striking stone, before a harsh cough ripped through him, leaving his body trembling.

Dominic’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. Tears spilled down his face, but at last, he forced a broken nod. “I understand. Dad… I’ll do everything you asked of me.”

“Dominic…”

Justin and the others choked on their grief, voices raw and cracking. Their eyes brimmed with tears, and it felt as if the world itself had collapsed.

They had just begun to rise again after losing Tilda. They had just started to see light at the end of that long tunnel, only for the world to collapse once more.

What had the family done to deserve this? Or was it because of the cruel way they had cast Tilda aside that fate had turned its hand against them?

Russell spoke to them, “Listen to me. Do as your brother tells you. The greatest mistake I ever made was refusing to take responsibility for this company, and believing Kyla’s lies that drove Tilda away and destroyed her. Perhaps it is because of those sins that the Jensons have come to this fall, and Blair has suffered so terribly. This is the punishment I deserve.

“Now I must stand like a man and carry the weight of my choices. I cannot run anymore. This burden has crushed me for too long. I always knew it would come to this. The only one I cannot stop worrying about is Blair. Only you, my children, can save her now. Protect her with everything you have.”

His eyes found Dominic once again. “Go home. In my study there is a safe. The code is 386436. Inside is the emergency money I set aside for the day when our family stood at the edge of life and death. That day is now. Take it. Use it to settle what must be settled here, then take everyone to your Uncle Blaise.”

Dominic’s voice shook, but he nodded. “Yes, Dad. We will. I promise.”

Howard and the others could barely force the words through their sobs.

In only a handful of days, blow after blow had fallen upon them.

Blair had suffered two terrible accidents and now lay trapped between life and death.

Russell, the man who had always held their respect, had fallen into despair and now faced arrest for bribery.

The father who had loved his country so dearly now stood accused of crimes his children could not bear to believe he had committed.

Yet the way he spoke left no doubt. The charges were real.

The truth could not be denied. The Jensons were collapsing.

Jenson Group was crumbling.

These were Russell’s final instructions to his children.

At last, he closed his eyes and exhaled a long, weary breath.

He turned, his gaze falling on Blair through the glass of the ICU. She lay unmoving, lost in the silence of her coma. His hand rose, trembling, until his palm pressed against the cold glass. His eyes shone with tenderness, sorrow, and a longing that could never be eased.

…

“Blair I am leaving now. I should have left long ago. I am so sorry. I should have listened to you. Now everything has fallen apart, and it is all because of me.

“Maybe this is the punishment for my sins. I told you I loved you, that I would give my life for you, yet I refused to hear your voice again and again. I lost Tilda because of it. I destroyed everything. And I caused your suffering too.

“This time, I will not run. Blair… I finally understand what it means to turn back before it is too late, but the lesson came too late. I cannot stay by your side when you need me most. I am not worthy to be your husband. Thankfully, our children are grown. They have the strength to stand on their own and to take care of you.

“Go with them to Motrar. And if the day comes when you wake… wait for me. Wait until I return from prison. When that day comes, there will be no regrets left between us. I promise.”

He knew his time had run out.

With resolve etched into his face, he turned and began to walk away.

“Dad!”

Dominic and the others cried out and rushed after him.

But Russell’s voice cracked like a whip. “Do not follow me! Listen to me! You know what must be done. This fight is mine alone. Take care of yourselves. Take care of your mother. As long as you live in safety, the Jensons will live on!”

Every one of them stood frozen in place.

Their hearts broke as they watched him walk away, and not one of them could take another step forward.