~MORNINGS AND DREAMS~

The Blackwood mansion was alive with soft chaos. Sunlight streamed through the tall French windows of the dining hall, catching the polished wooden floor in golden streaks. The sound of laughter, clinking cutlery, and tiny feet pattering across the marble echoed through the vast halls.

At the head of the grand oak dining table sat Richard Blackwood, immaculately dressed even for breakfast in a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers. His posture was rigid, his expression unreadable, but there was an unmistakable warmth in his eyes whenever they landed on his sons.

Across from him, the triplets, all three-year-olds with identical chocolate-brown hair and wide, curious eyes, were engaged in a tiny breakfast war—pancakes versus syrup.

“Adrian!” Richard’s deep voice cut through the laughter. “Do not put the syrup on the floor again!”

Adrian, the eldest by mere minutes but eldest in spirit, froze with a guilty frown. He picked up his silver spoon and tried to look repentant.

“I… I thought the floor might need some sweetness too, Father,” he mumbled, eyes wide.

Aiden, the middle and most mischievous, snickered and flicked a small dollop of syrup toward Ashton, who squealed and hid behind Maggie, their nanny. Maggie, a warm woman in her fifties with a perpetual twinkle in her eye, shook her head with mock exasperation.

“You boys are hopeless,” she laughed, scooping Ashton onto her lap. “Now, finish your breakfast before I put all three of you outside!”

Daniel Cross, Richard’s closest friend and the triplets’ godfather, entered through the side door, holding a small tote bag filled with toys, as he always did. His presence was a comforting contrast to the rigid order of Richard’s demeanor.

“Good morning, tiny tyrants,” Daniel greeted, crouching down to eye level with Aiden. “Who’s ready for today’s adventure at Daddy’s office?”

Aiden clapped excitedly. “Me! Me! Can we play hide-and-seek in the conference room?”

“Only if Adrian doesn’t throw syrup this time,” Daniel teased, ruffling his hair.

Richard allowed a small smile, the kind he rarely showed to anyone but those he loved. “Gentlemen,” he said, inclining his head, “you will be on your best behavior today. Remember, we have important people visiting.”

The triplets exchanged a conspiratorial glance, whispering plans of playful mischief under Maggie’s watchful eye.

⸻

Meanwhile, in a small apartment across town, the Hart sisters were starting their morning under a very different sky. Isabella, twenty-five, precise and composed, was neatly tying her hair into a bun, glancing nervously at her reflection in the tiny mirror. Her heart raced—not from vanity, but from anticipation.

“This interview could change everything, Sophie,” she said, tightening her blazer. “I just… I just want to do this right.”

Sophia, her younger sister by three years, sat cross-legged on the bed strumming her guitar. Her messy auburn hair fell around her shoulders as she sang softly, a hopeful tune about chasing dreams. “You’ll do amazing, Bella. You always do. And I’ll get this audition today—I just know it. This studio? They won’t know what hit them.”

Isabella smiled, feeling a surge of sisterly love. Sophia’s confidence was contagious, even if it bordered on chaotic optimism.

“You’ve been auditioning everywhere for months,” Isabella said gently. “Are you sure this one’s any different?”

Sophia gave a playful wink, strumming the final chord with flair. “Because this one has… me. And because my brilliant sister is working there soon.” She leaned over and ruffled Isabella’s hair. “We’re both going to shine, Bella. Just wait and see.”

Isabella laughed lightly, shaking her head at her sister’s optimism. She took a deep breath, grabbing her portfolio and smoothing her blazer one last time. “Okay. I’ll do my best. Today’s the day.”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled with determination. “And I’ll be right there, giving it everything. No more waiting for doors to open—we’re kicking them open ourselves!”

The sisters shared a brief moment of silent understanding—the kind only siblings can have, a quiet promise to support each other no matter the odds. Then Isabella took a final glance at the small apartment, the life she was temporarily leaving behind, and stepped out into the bustling city streets.

⸻

Back at the mansion, the triplets’ breakfast had descended into full-blown chaos. Aiden had somehow launched a piece of pancake into the air, which landed perfectly on Daniel’s shoulder. Daniel froze mid-laugh, then flopped to the floor dramatically.

“Uncle Danny! It’s raining pancakes!” Adrian yelled, trying to maintain his stern persona.

Richard pinched the bridge of his nose, hiding a smile. “Daniel, must you encourage them?”

Daniel grinned up at him, syrup dripping from his shoulder. “I live to serve, Richard. And apparently, to be decorated by breakfast.”

Maggie scolded softly but secretly laughed at the scene, while the triplets cheered in delight. The chaos, though maddening, was filled with warmth and love—a stark contrast to the outside world of polished corporate facades.

Richard watched silently, allowing himself a rare moment of peace. Despite the endless responsibilities, the mansion, the empire, and the weight of loss, mornings like this reminded him why he carried on—for these three little boys and the joy they brought into his life.

⸻

As the morning sunlight glinted off the chandelier, the mansion hummed with life, and across the city, Isabella and Sophia prepared for their own battles of ambition. Unseen threads of fate were already weaving the lives of the Hart sisters and the Blackwood family closer together, setting the stage for encounters, laughter, and unexpected love.

The stage was set. The players were ready. And soon, lives would intertwine in ways none of them could have imagined.

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