Chapter 103: A Hard Goodbye
Diane had known this was a possibility.
She had known Adrian wasn’t working alone.
But this soon? The media storm surrounding Rachel’s death hadn’t even settled.
Leon was silent for a moment before he let out a slow breath. "You’re sure?"
Diane’s throat tightened. "I don’t see another option."
Gabriel, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "She’s right."
Riot, standing near the window with his arms crossed, frowned. "Where?"
Diane turned to Gabriel. "Germany."
One could hear Leon exhale heavily, like he was also rubbing his temple. "Back to the old estate?"
Diane nodded. "A small town, off the grid. No one will look for him there."
Leon’s jaw clenched. "And you trust the people there?"
Diane didn’t hesitate. "More than I trust anyone else right now."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Then—
Leon sighed, defeated. "I’ll arrange the transport."
Diane swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I’ll pack his things."
>____<
-Two hours later-
Arthur was sitting on his bed, quietly watching as Diane folded his clothes into a small suitcase.
She had tried to explain it to him—tried to make it sound like a trip, an adventure. But he was too smart. Too aware.
She could see it in his big, sad eyes.
He knew she was sending him away.
Diane forced a smile as she tucked his favorite stuffed animal into the bag.
"You’ll love Germany, sweetheart. It’s quiet. Peaceful."
Arthur didn’t say anything.
She turned to him, gently brushing his hair back.
"You remember Mrs. Lang, don’t you? She’s going with you. She’ll take care of you, just like she did when you were little."
Arthur finally spoke, his voice small. "And you?"
Diane’s heart cracked.
She forced herself to stay strong. "I’ll come visit you. I promise."
Arthur’s little hands clenched the fabric of his sweater. "I don’t want to go."
Diane swallowed hard. "I know."
Silence.
Then, in a barely whisper—
"Are you sending me away because I made my mother mad?"
Diane’s breath stopped in her throat.
She dropped to her knees in front of him, cupping his face gently.
"No, sweetheart. Never. This isn’t your fault."
Arthur’s lip trembled. "Then why?"
Diane blinked back tears. "Because I love you. And I need to keep you safe."
Arthur was silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, he wrapped his small arms around her neck.
Diane held him tightly, her tears finally spilled over.
"I love you, sister," he whispered.
Diane’s heart shattered. "I love you more, Arthur."
The Goodbye was going to be painful.
The private helicopter was waiting on the estate’s helipad, its blades cut through the night air.
Mrs. Lang was standing beside it, her warm, familiar presence looked so stable and comforting despite the situation.
Arthur clung to Diane’s hand, his fingers tight around hers as if he could anchor himself to her forever.
Leon crouched in front of him, his own eyes red-rimmed. "You’re going to be okay, Arthur."
Arthur nodded silently.
Leon pulled him into a hug, holding him close. "I love you, kid. More than anything."
Arthur’s little hands fisted in his father’s coat. "Will you come too?"
Leon exhaled shakily, pulling back just enough to cup Arthur’s face. "Not yet. But soon, okay?"
Arthur bit his lip and nodded.
Then he turned to Diane.
She crouched down, holding his hands in hers. "You be good for Mrs. Lang, okay?"
Arthur nodded, but his eyes were filled with unshed tears.
Diane pressed one last kiss to his forehead. "I’ll see you soon, darling."
Arthur hesitated. Then, slowly, he let go of her hand and stepped toward Mrs. Lang.
Diane forced herself to stay strong as they boarded the helicopter.
The door shut.
The engines roared to life.
Arthur pressed his hand against the window.
Diane pressed hers against the glass from the outside, trying to hold on for just one more second.
Then—
The helicopter lifted off.
She watched as it disappeared into the night sky, taking a piece of her heart with it...
But they eventually needed to get back to Business..
Diane wiped at her eyes, forcing herself to regain control as they walked back toward the house.
Gabriel and Riot were waiting.
Leon, still visibly shaken, was sniffing and wiping his tears.
"Now, tell me about the bastard who was looking for my son."
Gabriel’s voice was cold. "We have a name."
Diane’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Who?"
Riot smirked darkly. "A journalist. But not the usual kind. This guy isn’t here for a story—he’s here for information."
Leon’s eyes darkened immediately. "Who’s he working for?"
Gabriel crossed his arms. "That’s what we’re going to find out."
Diane squared her shoulders, pushing aside her grief.
Arthur was safe.
Now, it was time to deal with the threat.
Riot finally looked up. "Alright. Our friend has been spotted at a bar downtown. Goes by the name Henry Vaughn, but I doubt that’s real."
Diane straightened. "Who’s he working for?"
"That’s what we’re going to find out."
"We need him alive. I want names. I want everyone who thinks they can come after my family." Leon stated, confidently.
Diane nodded. "Agreed. But we can’t just storm in."
Gabriel smirked. "We don’t have to."
Riot leaned back, grinning. "I might know a way to make him talk."
Diane arched a brow. "Let’s hear it."
Riot’s grin widened. "We don’t track him down. We make him come to us."
Leon frowned. "How?"
Gabriel’s voice was cold, he sounded way too calculated.
"We feed him what he wants—information. A little bait, the right whispers, and he’ll walk right into our trap."
Diane’s lips curled into a small smile. "But he will know it’s us. He doesn’t look dumb enough to believe all that..."
"Of course. That’s why I will contact my old reporter friend," Gabriel replied back.
"What for?" Diane was a bit too sceptical about this situation.
"To share the message with the media, and leave a small clue unanswered. Isn’t this what all journalists want? They want to dig?"
"It’s true, but Gabriel...what will be the message?"