Lex and his mother ate in near silence in the family kitchen. The warm aroma of ginger and chicken broth drifted through the room.
Lex let the steam rise into his face, breathing it in as he slowly stirred his soup. It tasted the same as always—comforting, simple.
His mother sat across from him, her hair tied back neatly, faint traces of gray streaking through the dark strands. Her face was calm, but Lex caught the flicker of quiet exhaustion beneath her eyes—the same tiredness she always tried to hide.
She glanced at him between sips, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"You keep staring at the soup like it owes you money," she said lightly, raising a brow.
Lex smirked faintly, setting his spoon down. "Just thinking."
Lian Mei lifted her spoon to her lips, blowing gently before taking another sip. "That's never a good sign."
Lex chuckled softly, letting the quiet linger for a moment longer.
Finally, he leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.
"I started something today," Lex said, his tone casual but deliberate.
His mother's spoon paused halfway to her mouth. She lowered it back into the bowl, watching him carefully.
"What kind of something?"
Lex met her gaze, searching for the right words. "A company. Small—for now. Latham Ventures."
The corner of her mouth twitched, but her eyes stayed sharp. "You're seventeen, Lex. Most boys your age are starting summer jobs or begging for cars. You're opening a company?"
Lex shrugged. "It's not a hedge fund. Just small investments—startups, tech, entertainment. Stuff Dad used to talk about."
At the mention of his father, his mother's eyes softened slightly, but she said nothing at first.
"You've been talking to Elias," she guessed, her voice quiet but certain.
Lex nodded. "He's drawing up the paperwork."
She let out a slow breath, stirring her soup without eating it.
"You know your father started small like that," she said, glancing at him with a faint smile. "He used to come home late, talking about directors and inventors like they were his friends. I thought he was wasting his time."
Lex smiled faintly. "He wasn't."
"No," she agreed softly. "He wasn't."
Lex hesitated, his gaze dropping to the faint scratches on the table—the marks left from years of shared meals and quiet conversations like this.
"There's something else," Lex said, keeping his voice steady.
His mother lifted her eyes, waiting.
"I want to sell the penthouse," Lex said carefully.
The words hung in the air for a moment.
Lian Mei's fingers tightened slightly around her spoon. It took her by surprised she wasn't expecting that moment to come.
She didn't speak right away. Her gaze lowered, lingering on the edge of the bowl, as if measuring the weight of the decision.
"You're sure?" she asked quietly, without looking up.
Lex nodded. "We're happy here. The penthouse—" He paused, choosing his words. "—feels like holding on to something we've already let go."
Lian Mei exhaled softly, setting her spoon down gently.
"That place meant a lot to your father," she said.
"I know," Lex replied, voice softer now. "But we don't live there anymore. He wouldn't want it collecting dust."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she gave a faint nod. "If you think it's right… I trust you."
Lex's shoulders eased slightly, but there was still more to say.
"I've been thinking," Lex continued, glancing at her across the table. "You should take a trip. Somewhere by the water—maybe the coast. Take Rose and her mom too."
His mother's brow lifted, amused. "Trying to send me away already?"
Lex smiled, shaking his head. "No. I just think you deserve it. It's been a while since you've had a break."
Lian Mei's gaze softened, though the faint shadow of doubt lingered behind her eyes.
"And what about you?" she asked quietly.
"I'll manage," Lex replied smoothly. "I've got plans to keep me busy."
She studied him for a long moment, searching his expression for something unspoken.
"You sound more like him every day," she said, the warmth in her voice unmistakable.
Lex's smirk softened as he lifted his spoon again. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They ate quietly for a while, the conversation slipping into shared glances and familiar comfort.
As the meal wound down, Lex's tone shifted.
"Mom," he said gently, his gaze serious now. "I need you to do something for me."
Lian Mei arched a brow. "Another trip?"
"No," Lex said, smiling faintly. "I want you to get a health check. Before you go anywhere."
Her expression flickered—brief surprise followed by mild disapproval. "Lex, I'm fine."
"I know," Lex replied, his voice steady. "But just… humor me."
She exhaled slowly, shaking her head with a soft laugh. "You worry too much."
Lex held her gaze. "I learned it from you."
Lian Mei smiled despite herself, though the flicker of emotion in her eyes didn't escape Lex's notice.
"Alright," she said, relenting. "I'll schedule one this week."
Lex nodded, feeling the knot in his chest loosen just slightly.
As the evening stretched on, Lex lingered at the table long after the dishes had been cleared.
One step at a time, he thought, his gaze drifting toward the faint glow of the city lights beyond the window.
His father's legacy wasn't just a burden to carry. It was a foundation.
And Lex was ready to build something new—for himself, and for the people who still mattered.