"I'm not getting dragged into this drama," Sasha said. "You're smartโfigure it out yourself."Then, she turned to Nina and tugged at her hand. "Come on, let's go. Can't you see Cole's busy? He doesn't have time to play with you."Nina, with all the sass in the world, shot back, "If he's too busy to play with me, he can put Keira down! She can play with me instead."Sasha shrugged, letting go of Nina's hand like she couldn't care less. "Fine, stay if you want. I've got better things to do." She threw a smirk at Cole on her way out. "She's your problem now. Try not to lose her."And just like that, she sashayed away.I couldn't believe it. She ditched her own kid like it was no big deal. Then again, this was Sashaโthe woman who once kidnapped her own kid. This was light work for her.Not that I was complaining. With Nina now clinging to Cole, it wasn't like he could just haul me off.Enter Jace, looking worse for wear. His nose had stopped bleeding, but he was pale as a ghost. "Co
"Threatened miscarriage."Wait, what? Did I hear that right? Miscarriage?!"Doctor, I'm pregnant?" I blurted, grabbing her coat like it was my last lifeline. My voice was a weird mix of shock, panic, andโokay, a tiny spark of joy.The doctor blinked at me. "You didn't know?" Then she gave me the most judgmental mom glare ever. "Young people these daysโso reckless, no sense of responsibility."She glanced between Jace and me like she'd already decided we were just another careless couple. I didn't even bother correcting her. My brain was too busy short-circuiting."Doctor, am I really pregnant?" I asked again, desperate for confirmation."Yes," she said. "But it's not good news yet. The pregnancy's at risk. Whether the baby makes it... it's uncertain."Her bluntness hit like a slap. "Please, doctor," I begged, my voice wobble. "Help me save the baby."I'd been secretly hoping for thisโlike, without even realizing it. And now? My baby was here, and I'd been too clueless to notice
I trusted Lena completely."Don't worry. I've seen your ultrasoundโthe baby's fine," Lena said, her lips curving into the faintest smile. Even that small reassurance made me feel a little more grounded."You have to help me keep this baby," I said, my voice cracking."I know," she replied, her tone teasing as she added, "This is your love child with Hayden, after all."Jace turned away at that, but not fast enough to hide the flicker of loneliness on his face.Our tangled history had unraveled a long time agoโat least for me. Jace claimed he'd moved on, but moments like this made it clear he hadn't completely.Thanks to Lena, I got admitted to a hospital roomโnot her office, but a proper VIP suite.The pain in my abdomen eased up, and the bleeding wasn't getting worse. With my nerves settling, I finally had space to think about something else. "What's the deal with Dr. Cahn? How'd she score a job here?"Lena hesitated for a second before answering. "She's Retta's aunt."Ah. Th
"It's nothing!" Lena said, shoving her phone away.Which, of course, meant it was definitely something. But if she wasn't ready to talk, I wasn't going to push. Probably something to do with Nate.That lingering connectionโthe one where things are over but not really overโwas something I understood too well.Like me and Jace. Even after all this time and starting over, there were still threads that tied us together. It wasn't love anymore, but the history, the complications... those don't just disappear.***When Lindey found out I was pregnant, she showed up with a basket of supplements."This is wonderful! You're going to be a mom!" she gushed, her joy practically lighting up the room."Rea, the hospital's no place to stay. You're not eating right here. Come home and let me take care of you," she added.Her excitement wasn't about me being the daughter-in-law she'd once wanted. It was because she still saw me as the daughter she'd raised, even though this child had nothing to
Lindey froze, her eyes filling with tears before she nodded. "Okay... fine. Deal."The first I heard of it was onlineโpics and videos everywhere. Cole had gotten his butt handed to him, and the comments? Straight-up applause. Rumors were flying that he was tied to organized crime.But I knew better. Jace sent those guys after him.And honestly, anyone paying attention could connect the dots. That's why Wayne wasn't about to let it slide.***"You went after Cole? What's your problem?" Wayne's voice was razor-sharp. "You think you're invincible or just bored with life?"Jace just smirked. "Maybe. I mean, that fire didn't kill me."Wayne stiffened at that but didn't bite. "I've got a place for you to lay low. Thorsten's not going to let this go."Jace stretched out lazily on the couch, shirt half-unbuttoned, legs up on the coffee table like he owned the world. "Let him come."Wayne snorted. "You're delusional if you think Dad can protect you like before. Thorsten's done giving h
Jace's hand fell to his side, his phone slipping onto the floor. His whole body seemed to collapse under invisible weight. His voice cracked. "Mom said... Dad... he's gone."Wayne didn't react, like he'd already seen this coming.They stood there in tense silence before Wayne muttered, "Let's go."***Jace called while I was half-asleep. My dreams had been all over the place, and the phone's ringing yanked me out of that foggy mess. I groaned, fumbling for it. "Hello?""Rea..." Jace's voice wavered, then broke."What is it?" I mumbled, still groggy."My dad... He's gone."His voice was barely a whisper, yet it snapped me awake. My heart thudded as his words sank in.Matthew Johnston. The man who took my parents from meโbut also the man who treated me like his own daughter. I hated him, but I couldn't hate him completely.It's why I'd been dodging my promise to Lindey to visit the Johnston house. And now?He was gone. Forever.I stayed quiet, throat tight. On the other end,
"The investigation cleared the hospital and Dr. Dale. She's back, but..." Lena hesitated before continuing. "She's been transferred to another hospital."No wonder I hadn't seen her in the days I'd been here. "Because of the incident?""Even though they found no connection between her actions and the patient's death, the public doesn't care. All they see is someone died on her watch, so they blame her. The pressure was too much." She shook her head, her tone bitter. "Public opinion? It's a wrecking ball. It can destroy someone overnight."Her words hit differentlyโI knew this wasn't just about Dr. Dale. Lena had dealt with her fair share of blame and accusations over the years too.I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm sorry you've had to deal with that."Lena gave me a faint smile, but her eyes were sad. "Life's not fair, Rea. Everyone faces their own kind of injustice."She wasn't wrong. Everyone thinks their pain is the worst, never realizing just how many ways the
No wonder Jace wasn't in the memorial hallโWayne had locked him up.Lena's instincts had been spot on. Wayne was pulling moves at his own dad's funeral. With Cole taken care of and Jace out of the way, he'd have the 'empire' all to himself.They say power belongs to the ruthless, and Wayneโonce polished and charmingโhad gone full villain, severing ties with everyone to get what he wanted."Rea, only you can save him," Lindey sobbed, her cries growing louder.I got why she had to keep this quiet. If she stood up to Wayne openly, she'd be next on his list.She might've pretended to ignore his actions, but deep down, her conscience wouldn't let her fully look away. This was her way of pleading for help without drawing his attention.It wasn't just fear holding her back, though. She had one final wish she needed to see through.Matthew was gone, and he'd been her anchor. Now she didn't care what happened to her, as long as she could send him off properly.I squeezed her hand, promi
"Got it!" Lena responded cheerfully. She washed her hands before sitting back down, picking up the utensils Aaron had prepared for her, and diving into her dumpling-and-dipping-sauce breakfast combo. "Uncle, why arenโt you eating?" She had already eaten two dumplings before realizing he hadnโt touched any. "Iโm not hungry." Three words. Which meant he hadnโt eaten yet. "Thereโs too much food. I canโt finish it all by myself. Eat some too," Lena said casually as she picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks and held it up to his mouth. She did it so naturallyโuntil she realized what she had just done. Aaron froze for a second, surprised by her gesture. The moment of hesitation made her realize tooโwasnโt this kind of inappropriate? She was just about to pull her hand back whenโ He leaned in and took the dumpling straight into his mouth. Lenaโs face flushed red in an instant. She hurriedly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, and focused on eating. Meanwhile, Aar
She was shocked to see him here so early. Especially todayโa day when everyone was celebrating the new year, spending time with their loved onesโand yet, he was here. With her. Lena wasnโt made of stone. She felt it. A warmth, an unspoken emotion that settled deep in her chest. "Uncle, why are you here so early?" She walked over, hands casually tucked into her coat pockets. "I didnโt want you to go hungry," Aaron replied simply, lifting the bag of food in his hand. He glanced at her break room. "Open the door." She unlocked the door and stepped inside, with him following close behind. Her break room was smallโa single desk and chair, a narrow bed, and a tiny wardrobe. Nothing extra, nothing unnecessary. "Sit down, Uncle," she said naturally, settling onto the bed while motioning for him to take the chair. Aaron placed the food down and asked, "Did you sleep at all?" "I did," Lena replied. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she thought of that dreamโand let o
"If it werenโt for my goddaughter, I wouldnโt even bother with you," Lena said, gently rocking the baby in her arms. "Right, little Aurora? Your godmother just adores you." "Come on, Aurora, itโs time to eat," Lena said as she carefully placed the baby in Keira's arms. Although it was her first time, Keira wasnโt embarrassed. She followed Lenaโs instructions, trying to breastfeed for the first time. But the process wasโฆ painful. And since her posture was incorrect, neither of them got it rightโKeira ended up covered in sweat from struggling, and her baby still hadnโt eaten properly. Panic set in. Anxiety crept up her spine. "What do I do?" Keira asked, her voice tight with unease. "Itโs okay. This happens at first. Letโs transition with formula for now," Lena reassured Keira before glancing at Hayden, who had been standing there the whole time, watching anxiouslyโand sweating just as much as Keira was. "Go make your daughter a bottle," she told him. Hayden, the man wh
That conversationโฆ Lena shuddered. Yeah, she had definitely come back too early. It was best to leave now before she ruined the mood for those two inside. Not wanting to hear any more, she quickly turned to leaveโonly to smack her leg against a nearby chair. The pain was real, but worse was the noise it made, drawing attention to her presence. Inside the room, Haydenโalready feeling awkward from Keira's teasingโfroze. The sound from outside made him even more uncomfortable. Keira couldnโt hold back her laughter. The moment Keira burst out laughing, however, pain shot through her lower abdomen. "Ahโow!" Keira gasped. Hayden immediately panicked. "Whatโs wrong? Where does it hurt?" Hearing her cry, Lena rushed in as well. "What happened?" "I laughed too hard and pulled my stitches," Keira explained, gripping Haydenโs hand tightly. Lena glared at Keira. "Youโre a mother now, and yet youโre still acting like a child. Do you have any idea what condition youโre in?"
"Itโs fine. I can do it," Hayden said naturally as he picked up the basin and went to fetch warm water. The moment he stepped out, Lena turned to scold Keira. "You went through so much pain to give birth to his child. Why would you feel bad about letting him do something for you?" "Itโs not that I feel badโI just feel embarrassed," Keira whispered in defense. Lena rolled her eyes. "So dramatic." Keira shot her a glare in return. "Just wait until itโs your turn. When your husband has to handle your private matters, youโll understand how awkward it is." The moment the words left Keira's mouth, she saw Lenaโs face turn red. Lena quickly hugged the baby and turned away. But Keira caught it. Something was off. "Waitโฆ why are you blushing?" Keira asked suspiciously. "I am not blushing," she denied immediately. What Keira didnโt know was that her words had triggered the memory of Lena's ridiculous dreamโwhere she had been lying on the delivery bed, cursing Aaron while gi
The moment she finished cursing, Lena jolted awake. She sat there, dazed. What kind of ridiculous dream was that? She had assisted in delivering countless babies before, but this was the first time she had ever dreamed of giving birth herself. And not only thatโshe had dreamed of giving birth to Aaronโs child? That was beyond outrageous. Absolutely absurd! What a way to start the new year. That dream was anything but beautiful. Lena ran a hand down her face, shaking off the lingering unease. She quickly got up, poured herself a glass of water to calm down, and then left the break room. Back in the hospital room, Hayden was feeding Keira. Keira was perfectly capable of eating on her own, but he insisted on feeding her, saying that she was in a special period and should be treated like a queen. That this was the time to learn how to be spoiled properly. Fine. If this was how he wanted to make up for the suffering she endured giving birth to their daughter, sheโd give
Keira looked at Lena and smiled as she followed up on Haydenโs words. "Youโre family. Itโs different." Lena shot her a subtle glare before stuffing the red envelope into her pocket and saying, "Give me the rest. Iโll hand them out for you later." Hayden passed her the prepared stack of red envelopes, and as she took them, she asked, "What about the other departments?" Hayden and Aaron exchanged a glance and chuckled. "Of course. Every medical staff member in this hospital gets one." "President Hart, youโre too generous," Lena said, giving him a thumbs-up. With that, she took the envelopes and left. Aaron glanced at the time. "If thereโs nothing else, Iโll be heading back now." "Mm. Happy New Year!" Hayden said, offering his holiday wishes. "Happy New Year to your whole family," Aaron replied, adding a few extra words that made both Hayden and me instinctively turn toward the baby in the bassinet. From today onward, we were officially a family of three. Outside the h
When Keira returned to the hospital room, she was greeted by a sight that made her pause. The room was decorated with fresh flowers and balloons, and beside her bed, there was a small cart filled with various gift boxes. The atmosphere was so festive that if someone walked in, they might have thought it was a birthday party rather than a postpartum recovery room. "Whatโs all this?" Lena asked on Keira's behalf. "A reward for my wife," Hayden answered, his hand still holding Keira's as he gazed at her with deep affection. "She went through so much. This is my way of thanking her." Keira smiled faintly. "I donโt need any of this." "Whether you need it or not is one thing. Giving it to you is my choice," Hayden said, pressing a kiss onto Keira's fingertips. "Even if everything I have already belongs to you, I still want to give you more." "Such a loving husbandโhonestly, what more could a woman ask for?" Lena teased before patting Keira's hospital bed. "But if President Hart r
Elder Mitchell wasnโt buying it. "That just means you guys didnโt really want to give anything. If you truly wanted to, thereโs no such thing as a gift that canโt be delivered." The two old men started bickering again, but Hayden ignored them. Instead, he kept his eyes on the infant bathing room. Before long, the nurse finished bathing the baby and carried her out. Hayden reached out to take her, but the two elders immediately moved to get closer. He blocked them without hesitation. "Donโt you know old peopleโs eyes are toxic? You shouldnโt be staring at her for too long." Elder Hart: "โฆ" Elder Mitchell: "โฆ" With that, Hayden carried the baby and walked away. The two old men trailed after him, hoping to catch another glimpse, but Hayden wasnโt about to give them the chance. "Congratulations," Aaron, who had been standing nearby, offered his well wishes. "Itโs a daughter. Take a look," Hayden said, his pride practically radiating off him. Aaron lowered his gaze to the