MasukAria’s POVThe moment Jalen walks in, he does what he always does and beelines straight for my kitchen like he pays rent here.I laugh under my breath as I start pulling the food out of the bag, paper crinkling against the counter. “You only got salads?” I ask, already offended just on principle.He chuckles, dropping his keys into the bowl by the door. “Relax. I got us cheesecake too.”I roll my eyes dramatically. “I really don’t have the taste for a salad.”He scoffs, popping open a container. “Well, this is what Amara told me to get.”I stop mid-unbag and look at him deadpan. “Get us?”“Yes,” he says, nodding like this is the most logical thing in the world. “Amara said we need to eat light since we had a heavy breakfast and a heavy lunch, thanks to you.”I narrow my eyes. “Oh, that’s the last time I’m cooking for your asses.”He laughs. “Come on. You know I love your food.”“Whatever,” I mutter, peeking into the container. “What else is on this salad?”“Wildfire chopped salad,” he
Jalen’s POVI pace Parker’s living room like a caged animal.Back and forth. Back and forth.Parker and Sybil sit on the couch, both pretending to scroll their phones but really just waiting and watching me, listening to the sound of my shoes against hardwood like it might tell them something about how bad this is eating me alive.The doorbell rings.I don’t even think.I beat Parker to the door and yank it open.Patrick stands there with Amara beside him, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. Relief floods my chest so fast it almost knocks the air out of me.“Come in,” I say immediately, pulling my brother into a hug. I wrap Amara up too, careful but tight.Patrick laughs. “Yeah, yeah. Walking into my brother’s house like you own it.”Sybil chuckles from the couch and stands to hug them both. “Hey, you two.”I exhale hard, rubbing a hand over my face. “Sorry, bro. I’m just...” I stop myself. “I’m anxious.”Patrick helps Amara sit before dropping onto the couch across from Pa
Jalen POVI stare at Talia as she smiles at me like actually smiles, after telling me she’s pregnant with my child.My first instinct isn’t shock.It’s calculation.Because if any of those embryos, I mean any, were implanted without my knowledge or consent, then I will burn that entire hospital system to the ground. I mean every fucking doctor. Every administrator. Every so-called safeguard that they swore was unbreakable. I will own them. I will dismantle them brick by brick and fund my recovery with the settlement money I get from them.But standing there, looking at her trembling hands, the slight shake in her shoulders, the way her eyes refuse to fully meet mine, hell, I already know.She’s lying.I smile slowly and calmly. The kind of smile that makes people nervous.“So,” I say evenly, “how did you get them?”Her lips part. She inhales. “Dr. Kass did everything.”I tilt my head. “Interesting.”Because Dr. Kass is the same doctor Hunter and I paid very heavily to ensure that th
Talia's POVI pace the length of my little-ass condo, barefoot, phone pressed to my ear, irritation buzzing through my veins like electricity. Every step feels too loud in the quiet space, my nerves already fried before my mother even opens her mouth.“I told you to go in calm and pleasant, didn’t I, Talia?” my mother says coolly.I scoff, dragging a hand through my hair. “Mother, what the fuck do you mean? I did exactly that. I grabbed my gift, walked through the gate and immediately everyone was on me. Every single person.”She hums, unconcerned.“And Tucker Todd?” I continue, voice rising. “That man looked like he wanted to kill me. I mean literally kill me with his bare hands. You should’ve seen his face. It was insane.”She laughs. Actually laughs. “Oh, please. Tucker is a teddy bear. He’s not nearly as mean as people make him out to be.”“You didn’t see his eyes,” I snap. “He looked feral.”She sighs, steering the conversation back on track. “So you dropped off your gift. Then w
Jalen POVI’m sitting here with my dream woman straddling me, looking fine as hell, feeding me like I’m some spoiled king, and honestly? I’m in complete bliss.Mind you, my stomach is still threatening to betray me at any second. The hangover is lingering like a bad decision that won’t leave. I could probably barf if I think about it too hard, but I’m holding it together. Barely.She laughs as she breaks off another piece of her burrito and holds it up to my mouth.I chuckle, shaking my head, but I open my mouth anyway. “You really enjoying this, huh?”She grins. “Very much.”I chew, leaning back, lacing my fingers behind my head like I don’t have a care in the world. And for a moment, I don’t. She’s right here. She’s real. She’s mine in this moment.She laughs again. “Hold on,” she says, grabbing another bite for herself. She takes it, then leans down, lips brushing mine as she feeds me mouth to mouth like a damn bird.Any other time? I’d say this is nasty.But with her?Nah. Not ev
Aria’s POVI slip out of the room quietly, pulling the door closed behind me. The first thing I do is reach for the robe I tossed over the chair last night. My outfit underneath is… definitely not appropriate for my sister’s house, especially not first thing in the morning. I’m grateful I had the foresight to bring a robe with me, because without it, I’d be giving the whole household a show.As I tie it securely and head toward the kitchen, I’m immediately met with the sight that makes my heart swell.Amara is standing near the counter, glowing in that soft, maternal way only pregnancy can give you. She’s look so peaceful, so content, like she knows the babies inside of her are exactly where they’re supposed to be.I walk over and press a quick kiss to her cheek. “Hey, girl.”She smiles at me. “Hey.”“How are you feeling?” I ask.She exhales slowly, like she’s soaking it all in. “Honestly? I feel blessed. I feel great. The baby shower turned out excellent. Though I think a lot more p







