We’re in the meadow just twenty minutes from the house we bought—a peaceful retreat away from the bustle of Seattle. The house is more like two and a half homes combined into one. The largest section is ours, complete with a spacious shared bedroom for all of us, featuring a massive bed. Each of us also has our own room, a personal space for our belongings and clothes, and a quiet place to retreat or work.
But we also have a big home office where we can all work together, an amazing kitchen where Grey is constantly experimenting with new recipes for us, and a music room with a beautiful Steinway piano the guys gifted me for my last birthday. It even has an engraving on the front.
Ivor E. Key the Second.
I absolutely love playing on it.
Playing for them.
In the center of our connected homes is a cozy, accessible section just for Grandpa. Despite still not having full use of his left arm, he recovered well, is in good shape for his eighty-seven years, and is enjoying a slower, more peaceful pace of life. Morgan is still with us as well, taking care of him, but she’s now living in the final section of the house.
With Hendricks and Willow.
After we left Elysium, it took us months to figure out our game plan—to decide exactly what we wanted our company to be and what values we wanted to uphold.
We only knew one thing for certain.
It’s about technology that’s meant to help, not to take.
Once we had our vision clear, we launched our company with purpose and precision, making our presence known in the industry. Despite the time it took to get everything right—eight months spent living at Grandpa’s—we ended up revolutionizing the market and turning ourselves into billionaires. All the while, Elysium tried to sue us, but with Grandpa’s knowledge and connections in the legal community, they didn’t stand a chance.
As our company grew, so did our family. When we began involving Hendricks more in our plans and hired him as head of operations, he and Willow naturally became closer to us. It was during this time that Morgan developed a crush on Hendricks—something that might have gone unnoticed if it weren’t for Willow’s matchmaking talents. She made sure they spent plenty of time together, and before long, Hendricks was just as smitten.
Now, they’re part of our family in more ways than one, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
The house is nestled close to Misha’s favorite hiking trails, offering us a close connection to nature while still being conveniently near the city for those rare days we decide to go to the office.
Which, to be honest, isn’t all that often.
One of the perks of being the bosses is the freedom to work from home, where we can focus on projects and innovations without distractions. Hendricks handles the day-to-day operations at the company, always having our backs.
Tetra Technology—that’s the name the guys chose for us.
Tetra, for the fish that started the path that ended my loneliness.
Tetra, as infour, represents the four of us.
A team.
Our little stolen aquatic friends have become an integral part of the company, thriving in an enormous aquarium at the center of our office since Morgan didn’t want them at the house.
The aquarium is a space filled with everything a tetra could ever want—lush plants, vibrant corals, and plenty of room to explore. From time to time, we even buy—not steal—new tetras to join them, keeping the tank lively and reminding us of where we started.
It’s a living pillar to our story.
Today marks the five-year anniversary ofTetra Technology, and what better way to celebrate than by taking the day off to simply enjoy each other’s company?
The sun is warm on my skin, the sky is a perfect blue, and the birds are singing in the trees. It’s the kind of day that makes everything feel right in the world.
Grey is playing with Doctor, our new Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, who’s bounding around with endless energy. I snicker as I watch Grey try to catch and leash him. Doctor is all floppy paws and enthusiasm, darting just out of Grey’s reach every time he thinks he’s got him.
Next to me on the blanket, Peanut is lying contentedly beside Oliver, who’s absorbed in writing in his notebook. Peanut is an old boy now, his muzzle graying and his movements slower, buthis eyes still light up when he watches Doctor play. Sometimes, the puppy’s energy is a bit much for him, but he loves his little buddy and keeps a watchful eye on him.
Misha is lying on his stomach on my other side, casually flipping through a tech magazine, completely oblivious to the fact that I’ve been plucking daisies from the edge of the blanket and weaving them into his curls. His head is now a riot of white and yellow blossoms, the flowers standing out vividly against his dark hair.
He’s so relaxed, so content.
We all love our new home out here, but for Misha, it’s like he’s found a deeper peace. Since moving here, his insomnia has almost vanished. He’s able to sleep next to us every night, curled against me, and the dark circles that once lingered under his eyes have faded. On the rare nights when sleep still eludes him, he either channels that energy into work or takes me to a certain twenty-four-seven burger joint for milkshakes and fries.
