LOGINDAMON'S POV:My mother flinched slightly at my words, casting a hurt glance in my direction. Her eyes were full of deep sorrow."I know she is," my mother said softly. "Looking at her brings back memories of when you were this exact size, Damon. I remember holding you in my hospital room for the very first time. I remember making a silent promise to protect you, to love you with everything I had, and to be the best mother I could possibly be."She paused, taking a shaky breath to steady herself."I broke that promise somewhere along the way. I failed you when you needed me most, and I let my own ambitions blind me. I am so, so sorry for all of it."I did not say a word in response. I honestly did not know what kind of reply would even fit that moment.Isabelle carefully and gently transferred Athena from her arms into my mother's waiting embrace.My mother looked down at her granddaughter, and her entire face instantly softened into a genuine, radiant smile and I could see it w
DAMON'S POV:They arrived promptly the next afternoon.I watched them walk slowly up the long driveway from the front window, their steps hesitant and unsure, their faces pale under the afternoon sun. My mother was clutching her purse tightly against her chest like a lifeline. My father walked a half step behind her, his shoulders slightly hunched, his eyes darting back and forth across the yard as if he expected someone to jump out and attack them at any second.They looked genuinely nervous. They looked terrified, actually. They looked like two people who knew they had made massive mistakes and were now facing the terrifying consequences of their own actions.I opened the front door wide before they even had a chance to raise their hands and knock."Mother. Father." My voice was completely calm, almost flat. I was not going to pretend everything was fine right away."Damon," my mother breathed out, her voice cracking and shaky. "Thank you so much for letting us come here today
DAMON'S POV:The phone call came exactly three days after we brought our little girl home from the hospital.I was sitting quietly in the corner of the nursery, holding Athena in my arms and watching her sleep. She was so tiny, so fragile, and entirely perfect. Her little chest rose and fell with each soft breath, and her miniature fingers were curled tightly against the fabric of my shirt. I felt like I could have sat there forever just watching her breathe, holding her close, and marveling at the living miracle resting right against my heart.My phone buzzed loudly in my pocket, breaking the peaceful silence. I completely ignored it. I did not want to move an inch. I did not want to disturb the precious moment or wake up my sleeping daughter.But the phone buzzed again. And then again. And yet again.With a soft sigh, I carefully and gently handed Athena over to Isabelle, who was sitting comfortably in the rocking chair right beside me. She looked up from her book, her brown e
CELESTINE'S POV: She wrapped her arms around my waist in a quick, warm hug, and I held her tight. "I am just so happy for Isabelle," she murmured. "She has been through so much, and she really deserves all of this joy." "She does," I agreed quietly. "She truly does." Word of the new arrival spread like wildfire through the city. That was hardly a surprise to any of us. The birth of a new member of the Ashcroft, Valancourt, and Varek families was the kind of major event that the media chased relentlessly. Three of the most powerful families in the entire world were now tied together by blood. Three legendary names were joined together in one tiny, peaceful baby girl. Within hours, the front of the hospital was completely surrounded by buzzing reporters and camera crews. Flashbulbs went off continuously, and microphones were shoved toward anyone who dared walk through the main entrance. Hospital security had to be doubled to keep the lobby clear, and the poor hospital admini
CELESTINE'S POV:The hospital room was already bustling when we finally arrived down the hall.I had barely stepped through the open door before I saw them all gathered together. Isabelle sat up in the hospital bed, looking wonderfully exhausted and Damon stood right beside her, keeping one arm wrapped around her shoulders while his deep brown eyes stayed completely fixed on the tiny bundle resting in her arms. Athena and Maxwell stood near the wide window, their faces lit up with immense pride. Hope held her camera ready, snapping quick photos of every precious second. In the corner, Leo and Lucas were already back to their quiet, familiar bickering.And then there was the baby. The tiny, perfect little soul who had changed everything.I felt hot tears prick the corners of my eyes right away. I did not bother trying to hold them back."She is here," I whispered, barely believing it.Lysander gently took my hand in his, his gray eyes shining with emotion."She is here," he sai
MAXWELL'S POV:I watched my wonderful wife hold our new granddaughter, and I felt a profound shift happen deep inside my chest.I had been a father for more than two decades now. I had raised three incredible children, watched them stumble, taught them how to stand back up, and seen them grow into strong adults and one has found her true love and built her own lives on her own. I honestly thought I had already felt every possible emotion that came along with being a parent.I was completely wrong. This was entirely new territory. This was a brand new chapter of my life.My thoughts drifted back to my own father, August Valancourt. The man who had built our family empire from nothing at all. The man who had taught me every single thing I knew about business, honor, and loyalty. The man who had loved me unconditionally, even when I made foolish mistakes, even when I disappointed him, and even when I failed to be the exact son he hoped for.I remembered the exact day Isabelle was b
Celestine started cooking at three in the afternoon, flour on her hands, music playing low from her phone and the smell of tomatoes and garlic filling the whole penthouse.She made the sauce from scratch, the way her grandmother taught her when she was maybe ten years old. She rolled out the pasta
The first time Kier met Sable Morwenna was at a charity gala about six months after his father died.He was standing by the bar, looking miserable, drinking too much and wishing he could leave. And then this woman just appeared next to him, like she had materialized out of thin air."You look like
Kier Thornwell looked like he belonged on a magazine cover even when he was just standing in an elevator. Thirty eight years old. Strong jaw and sharp cheekbones. Eyes so dark brown they looked black. A mouth that rarely smiled, but when it did, women forgot their own names. Six foot two. Carried h
The forgotten anniversaries. There had been three of those. Three times she had dressed up nice and made dinner and waited and waited and waited until finally getting a text that said "working late sorry" with no exclamation points, no emojis, no nothing.The cruel comments. Those were worse."You







