There was a moment of awkward silence, in which Adam's mother looked uncomfortable, and Adam stood in the middle of the room, apparently not knowing what to do next, or what to say. The children ran into the mansion to show Ian the room that had been prepared for him.
Adam's mother stepped forward, staring at Adam with tears in her eyes, full of turbulent feelings, while Adam waited with his indifferent manner. Suddenly, she seemed to make up her mind and approached him, almost running, and hugged him. He hugged back, lightly, without much emotion. He didn't seem to consider that Suzi was his mother, or at least, he didn't like to let on that he felt anything for her other than what he felt for someone who worked for him. But she was happy, crying at finally seeing her youngest son again.
Anna realized at that moment that they hadn't seen each other for many years. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like for her to be without her children for so long. She loved their smell, she loved their voices... And seeing them that day had shaken her to the point where she had seriously considered putting her whole family at risk and never leaving their side. But she remembered that Ian had given his word, and that he didn't like to break his commitments. A character he had acquired from living with Max.
"My son, darling." Suzy said, pulling away from his embrace and holding his face with both hands, as tears soaked her cheeks. "What took you so long to come and visit us?"
Adam removed her hands carefully, without aggression, and stared at her, annoyed by the emotion on her face.
"I didn't come to visit you and... It's better for you that I'm away."
"That's never going to be best for us." Suzy said seriously, and Anna realized that she was holding in her feelings to avoid insulting Adam. And she also realized at that moment that Adam didn't really show any feelings, except for the day he cried in her arms, at any time. Even when his words were loaded with profundity, it wasn't easy to perceive real feelings behind them.
"I can understand that it's not easy for you, Suzy, but believe me when I say that it's for the best. Just as I thought before, I still think today. You should take Max and those children and get out of this country. It's no longer a place for you. And besides, my enemies may turn on you to get to me. And I warn you, when that happens, I won't care."
"Max and the children are your brother and nephews. You should want to live with them."
"With my nephews, I'd love them to come and visit me all the time when they're on vacation. But my brother Max stole something from me that I could never forgive him for. And yet I've never really moved away from him. So I insist. You must leave." Adam said, and looked away. "But I came here today to see my father-in-law, not to convince you of the danger you're facing. Where is Henry?"
Adam's mother exchanged a worried glance with the babas, and Anna knew immediately why. They must be in the house that Max had told her about. And her husband must be there, too. She didn't know if she could enter that house and manage not to murder Camille.
"I'll ask one of the bodyguards to guide you there." Suzy's father said, looking defeated, and left.
Maxwell's mother suddenly appeared, invited Adam to sit down and stood next to him.
"Adam... Give it all up. This life in the mafia won't take you to a place of tranquillity. If you come with me, you can start a new life. Meet a nice girl and even have more children."
Adam took her hand and brought it to his lips, before releasing it.
"You've always been a beautiful woman, Adelaide. I'm sorry I don't have your blood. I know that you know, that the creature you are and that you gave birth to, are the only ones of your kind that I protect. I would never live among you. That would be to betray everything I am... But I've already met the only woman I want to start a family with, and she's here in front of you."
Maxwell's mother stared at Anna, then turned to Adam, her love for him evident in every look and gesture.
"She's your brother's wife, dear. There are so many women in the world. Max has formed the family with her that he always wanted. You need to understand and accept that. The sooner you do, the sooner your heart will be free for a new love."
"I won't start a family the way Max did. I will never leave my wife with another man and abandon her because of an affair."
"Adam, my darling. Yes, you will. Luna is the woman for you, and it won't be long before she introduces herself. You know you can't rule her out. You know that as soon as you look at her, everything you feel for any other woman will vanish into thin air. And how will Anna look? And you know that you've made Max have no choice..."
"Really? And where is he now? I bet he's with his mistress."
Suzy came back into the room just then, followed by the security guard who was going to take them to Anna's father.
They left, after saying goodbye, and went to the car. Anna knew that the house was on the estate, but in a place a long way from the mansion. And she spent the few minutes it took to get there holding on to a growing hatred for Camille, but also for Max. He should be at the mansion with his children. He should have had more respect for her. She knew she had broken her promise and gone to bed with Adam, but... She squeezed her eyes shut. She felt like a hypocrite, but she couldn't help the jealousy that burned in her chest. She felt the car stop and looked at the house. It wasn't a small house, as Max had described. However, she soon remembered that Max had always lived in luxury, and any house that didn't have two floors and a large entrance hall would always be considered inferior to him.