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“I knew it. I knew something was wrong. What’s happening? It is the company, isn’t it?”

Christ on a motorbike, this was harder than Sam had imagined it would be. They’d discussed how they would do it on the way to the hospital, but as usual, Joel was making them reassess their plan.

“It is not the company,” Sam replied, his tone firm. “We have news that both of you need to know. We wanted to tell you before it becomes public.”

That had Kim’s attention, and her head swiveled back and forth between the brothers, wondering why she needed to hear this, too.

“I need to hear this?” Kim asked. “Why do I need to hear this?”

“Because it’s not about the company,” Cooper said. “This is family business, and we didn’t want just anyone to tell you.”

“Tell us what?” Joel asked in an impatient tone. “So far, you haven’t said anything except that things at the office are fine.”

They’d all discussed it, and they’d decided the news should come from Joel’s favorite child, Zack. He might take it better from him.

“There was a body found at a construction site outside of town,” Zack replied, keeping his tone flat and unemotional. “It’s Mom. They found her belongings. They’ll make an official identification with DNA, but they’re sure. They’re sure.”

Kim’s mouth opened wide, her hands pressed against her cheeks as she let out a mournful wail. Tears flooded her eyes, and she was shaking in her chair, the newspaper falling unnoticed to the floor.

And Joel?

He’d shrunk back into his pillow, his skin not as rosy or robust as he’d been only moments before. If anything, he looked smaller, frailer, and not anything like the powerful patriarch of the Winslow family.

The news had turned him into a shadow of his former self. There was no denying that Joel Winslow was shocked and deeply affected.

“Everyone out,” Joel said, waving his arm toward the door. “I mean it. Everyone get out now.”

Was their dad serious? Joel’s eyes were shiny, as if he might actually have tears in them.

“I mean it,” he repeated. “All of you just go. I’m done with visitors today.”

“Joel,” Kim said, placing her hand on his. “You don’t mean⁠—”

“I’m tired of people not listening to me. I’m not dead yet.”

This time Joel’s voice boomed, ricocheting off the walls.

A nurse must have heard the loud voice, and she came bustling in, tut-tutting at Joel to calm down and relax. His blood pressure had spiked on the machine display, and his heart rate had increased as well.

“You all need to go,” the nurse said. “We can’t have him upset like this.”

“I am not upset,” Joel growled. “I just want some peace and quiet.”

Tears still running down her perfectly made-up face, Kim stood from her chair, but didn’t seem sure as to whether he meant she should leave, too.

“How about we buy you a coffee?” Cooper said to Kim, placing an arm around her shoulders and leading her toward the hospital room door. “You can come back when Dad is feeling better.”

Cooper wasn’t the biggest fan of Kim’s, but the woman’s reaction appeared to be genuine.

And if Joel’s reaction wasn’t true as well?

Then he was the best damn actor Sam had ever seen. Maybe, just maybe, Joel Winslow had loved his wife Lily more than he’d ever shown it.

Alli shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d been warned just this morning that the Winslow family carried baggage. She’d assured Gabe Hudson that it wasn’t a big deal. It was all fine and dandy.

She’d lied.

In her defense, she hadn’t realized she was lying at the time. She’d truly believed that whatever demons drove the Winslow siblings, it wouldn’t matter or affect her. What she hadn’t bargained for was a revelation today about their mother.