Is this destiny?

"Will you tell me about it?", Stella asked, and Sarah found herself choking on her words.

Sarah's relief mixed with guilt because she assumed that her mother is doing things behind her back. Well, it wouldn't be the first time, but now they were under attack and this was serious, yet Sarah didn't reach out to Stella for explanations; instead, she categorized her mother as an enemy.

"Hey, hey… it's OK…", Stella said and pulled Sarah into a hug.

Sarah sobbed. "It's not OK. I am a bad daughter."

"You are a wonderful daughter.", Stella comforted her.

"I assumed that you are hiding things from me." Even though she sobbed, Sarah picked her words carefully. If Sarah said how she assumed that Stella is the enemy, things would escalate quickly.

"You have a lot on your plate, sweetie…", Stella said while rubbing Sarah's back. "It's normal to make a mistake. You will grow by reflecting on it and doing your best not to repeat it."

Sarah nodded and she was grateful that her mother was so understanding and didn't probe into the issue too much; probably because Sarah was pregnant, and she needed support and comfort.

Sarah calmed down and told Stella about the Council and the recent events related to them.

Stella listened attentively with a solemn expression and when Sarah finished, Stella asked, "You are saying that this medallion is confirmation that my mother or grandmother was part of the Council?"

Sarah shrugged, indicated that she is not sure. "It will fit in the groove of their table perfectly. I am nearly positive that it signifies membership to the council, but I don't know to whom it belonged."

Stella pursed her lips and thought for some time before getting her phone. She took a photo of the medallion and sent it in a message before making a call...

"Oleg, I have a task for you. Go through my mother's things and see if you can find anything related to the Council. Check the photo I sent you a minute ago. That might be related. Whatever you are looking for, will not be in plain sight, so if you find anything written in code, treat it as a good candidate..."

"You think that he will find something?", Sarah asked Stella when she finished the call.

"My mother was a careful woman, wary of everyone, and she always had backup plans. If she was part of the Council, there will be something she would use in case they turn against her…", Stella's voice trailed. "They are attacking your assets and threatening your people. I assume you are planning to retaliate."

Sarah confirmed. "At this point, we strengthened our security and increased vigilance. We are digging out data on the Council members with the goal to find any dirt we can use and also if they have any points in common."

Stella agreed with the plan. "Whatever Oleg finds, I will share with you."

After a brief pause, Stella said to Sarah, "Send the information on the Council members to your father."

"What will he do?"

Stella smiled mysteriously. Ah, Sarah is clueless that her father is behind the alias SP3CT3R. "Edward is in charge of documenting everything electronically for me. If there is anything related to those characters in the base of Lebedevs, he will find it. Right now he is relaxing at home, and this will give him something to do."

Sarah narrowed her eyes suspiciously. If things are stored electronically, she can access them; or it can be done by anyone with enough permissions from the Lebedev family. Why does it need to be her father? 

"If you are looking for additional information on the Council, you might check with your in-laws.", Stella said, pulling Sarah out of her thoughts.

"Elanor and Oscar?", Sarah asked in surprise. "What makes you think they know about the Council?"

Stella shrugged, indicating that she was not sure. "They are quite close to Jarred and share some history. Considering their previous positions as Madam and Master of the White family and connections to Voronins, it's highly likely that they were at least aware of the Council to some extent."

After some thought, Sarah realized that Stella is right. Elanor and Jarred always squabbled like good friends. She decided to talk about this with Aiden. Later.

…

Time passed and by the time surgery was completed, Aiden, Sophia, and Felix joined in the lounge. 

"We left Max with Jeff. The two of them were planing an evening on Jeff's yacht, and will join us shortly.", Sophia informed others and looked at Sarah and Aiden. "Jeff said that if you want, you are welcome to join."

"What about you?", Sarah returned the question.

Sophia glanced at Felix. "We decided to spend the night at home."

"Then, we will also stay behind.", Sarah said and turned to Aiden. "What do you think?"

Aiden agreed. As much as the party-evening on the yacht sounded fun, if Rance or Albert make a move, they will need to cut it short. In addition to that, Sarah could use some rest, as the last few days were crazy.

On the other side, Aiden was happy to see that Jeff and Max are getting along well. With Vincent, Russel, and Jasper always busy and in different time zones, it was a while since Aiden saw Jeff relaxed with a person that is not Charlie or Steve.

"The surgery went as planned.", Liz said when she exited with JoAnna by her side. "The patient is currently stable, and we will continue to observe his condition."

"Is he any better?", Stella asked.

"It's too early to tell.", Liz responded.

Stella hoped for good news, but she was grateful that Liz didn't give them false hopes.

By the time Liz and JoAnna got out of scrubs and into their regular clothes, Jeff and Max came to pick them up.

Max introduced himself to Stella, and she recognized him. "I know your parents. How are they doing?"

…

Later that evening, in the master bedroom of the Cliffside Villa…

Aiden cradled Sarah in his arms and they spoke about their day.

She listened to his updates about the Army of Chaos, Rance, and Albert.

Rance and Albert still didn't make any moves, and Sarah wished that she knew what happened at the meeting of the Council earlier that day.

Sarah told him that Stella thinks Elanor and Oscar might know about the Council.

Aiden puffed his cheeks. "I would not be surprised if that's true. However, don't expect that they will say anything if we confront them about it."

Sarah thought for a moment and agreed with Aiden. "I guess we will just do our thing."

"Yup. And don't mention this detail to Jeff."

Sarah knew that Jeff is touchy about the topic of his parents that revolves around manipulations and secrets. If Jeff finds out about this, he might blow a fuse.

"OK.", Sarah said and drew invisible shapes with her index finger on his abdomen. She smiled absentmindedly while relishing the feeling of safety and belonging which comes with Aiden's proximity. "I am grateful to have you in my life."

Aiden smiled. "Same here, baby… same here…"

Sarah looked up at him. "It's been ages since you called me 'baby'."

"Do you like it?"

"I like everything you do, baby.", Sarah responded dreamily.

Aiden chuckled and tightened his hold on her. Everything he needed to be happy was right there, in his arms and he didn't want to let go.

---

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