ログインMom claps. “See? Good sense.”Dad groans, drops into a chair, and rubs his forehead. “Fine. Sparklers. But I get to choose the color.”“Deal,” I say, leaning over to kiss his temple. He pretends not to smile but I see it anyway.I never thought I would have this again—a father who tries, really trie
Maya’s POVFrance changed me. I did not expect it to. I thought all I wanted was revenge, a reckoning, a balancing of the scales that would make everything feel right again. But standing at the kitchen window of our townhouse with the late-morning sun warming the old stone, watching Oscar toddle aft
After a few minutes, Emma sits beside me, nudging my shoulder. “How are you really,” she asks, her voice softening.I smile. “Good. Really good. For the first time, everything feels... quiet.”“You deserve quiet.”I nod, my eyes warming. “He is different now. Softer. Present. You should see him read
Emily’s POVSix Months LaterI wake before the alarm, before the morning light even filters through the curtains, to a soft flutter beneath my ribs. A tiny kick, gentle but unmistakably there. I smile into the pillow, pressing my palm over the swell of my stomach. The baby is awake, stretching, gree
Damian’s POVI do not think I exhaled until the plane door shut behind us.No reporters.No blinking notifications.No family emergencies.No corporate disasters waiting like open jaws behind every email.Just Emily beside me, fingers loosely threaded with mine, her head resting on my shoulder as if
Emily’s POVThe morning light over the farm looks unreal, soft as milk, drifting across the grass in wide strokes that make everything glow. It is the kind of light you only see on days you remember forever. A gentle breeze carries the smell of lilac and fresh earth, the decorations swaying slightly
Louis let out a low whistle and leaned back in his seat. “Well, damn. Emily to the rescue.”“I convinced my dad to talk to him,” I continued, trying to smile more kindly at Louis. “Bobby agreed to keep the subsidies in place, at least until Damian can meet with him discreetly. You have some time now
Emily’s POVWhile the others began murmuring congratulations, I caught Charlotte giggling quietly with Jonathan. They were leaning into one another at a suspiciously familiar angle. I watched her brush an invisible crumb from the sleeve of his blazer, and he responded with a look that made me blink.
Albert’s POV"So, tell me," I said as our drinks arrived, "how are you really doing? Rumors say you've returned to the mansion."Her fork clinked gently against the bread plate, a barely perceptible wince crossing her features. "I’ve been recovering and want to be close to my children.""And the rec
“There you are,” she said, smiling brightly. “You two look disgustingly in love. I might be sick.”“Hello to you too, sister,” I muttered, accepting the hug she offered.Emily giggled and hugged her as well. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Barrett has whiskey waiting for you.”“He does,” she said, clinking h







