Chapter 10: Back in His Arms

Varany thought she was ready to come home.

She was wrong.

The moment the car stopped in front of the mansion, her heart began pounding. This house held everything she had once loved, and everything that had broken her.

Earlier, they had stopped at her apartment so she could pack her clothes, documents, and a few essentials. She had forced herself to move quickly because thinking too much might have made her change her mind.

Now she was back.

Varany stared through the window, remembering all the nights she had wanted to return while she was pregnant with Nihan. She had missed her parents, her old home, even Bradly. But every time she considered going back, she remembered why she had left.

“We're here,” Bradly said lightly. “Don't overthink it.”

She glanced at him.

Then he smiled. “You're not planning to run away again, right?”

Varany rolled her eyes, but she knew a part of her had considered it.

She tried to move, but Nihan was still asleep in her arms.

“Let me,” Bradly said.

Before Varany could respond, he leaned closer.

Their lips met.

She froze.

It was unexpected and against everything they had agreed on, yet neither pulled away immediately. His lips were warm and familiar, and the brief kiss brought back memories Varany had spent six years trying to bury.

Then she pulled back.

Her heart was racing.

Because coming home had been difficult enough.

The kiss brought back everything Varany had spent six years trying to forget: the love, the pain, and all the things Bradly had never said.

Then Nihan moved in her arms, and Varany immediately pulled away.

She glanced at Bradly and caught him looking at her lips.

He cleared his throat, then unbuckled his seat belt. Neither spoke.

Bradly got out, opened Varany's door, and carefully took Nihan from her arms.

Just when Varany thought the moment was over, he leaned down and kissed her again.

It was quick, but enough to unsettle her.

“I missed you, babe.”

Varany froze.

She had missed him too, but she could not bring herself to say it.

They walked into the mansion, and the moment Varany stepped inside, her mother rushed toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Mom…”

“I missed you so much,” her mother cried.

“I missed you too.”

Varany held her tightly, tears finally falling.

Then she saw her father.

“Daddy…”

He opened his arms, and Varany rushed into them. He held her close and kissed her forehead without asking questions or placing blame.

For the first time in years, Varany was home.

Then a small voice came from behind them.

“Oh… Mommy's crying.”

Varany turned.

Nihan was awake.

Nihan was crying too, and Varany immediately pulled her close.

“I'm okay, baby,” she whispered, kissing her hair. “Mommy's okay.”

Nihan buried her face against her shoulder, still trembling.

As Varany looked around at the family she had once run from, she realized that coming home meant facing everything she had tried to leave behind: the memories, the pain, and the love.

But this time, she was not alone.

“Who's that little girl?” Mommy Trisha asked.

Varany gently placed Nihan down and knelt beside her.

“Baby, these are your grandmas and grandpas. Say hello.”

Nihan looked at the four adults staring at her, then quickly hid behind Varany's legs.

Varany took a breath.

“Mom, Dad… this is my daughter.”

She glanced at Bradly.

“Our daughter.”

Bradly's expression softened.

“Nathaniella Nihan,” Varany continued. “She's four. She'll be five soon.”

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Varany's mother and Mommy Trisha stepped forward and knelt beside Nihan.

“My baby,” Varany's mother whispered as they hugged her.

Nihan looked between them, confused by their tears.

“They're crying.”

Her own eyes filled, and soon she was crying too.

The tension finally broke. Everyone laughed through their tears, and Nihan slowly reached for her grandmothers, hugging and kissing their cheeks.

Just like that, she accepted them.

And they accepted her.

The hours passed with stories, questions, apologies, and tears. By the time everyone finally settled down, it was almost midnight.

Their parents had spent the evening urging Varany and Bradly to give their marriage another chance, for Nihan and for the family they had lost six years ago.

Varany's father stayed quiet, but she noticed the anger he still carried. He had not forgotten how badly Bradly had hurt her.

Yet whenever he looked at Nihan, his expression softened.

“For her,” he finally said.

It was enough to show that he was willing to give Bradly another chance, but only for his granddaughter.

Bradly's father was more direct.

“You fix this,” he told his son. “Or you lose everything.”

There would be no excuses or easy forgiveness.

That night, Varany learned that both families had been disappointed in Bradly after she left. Even his parents had seen how badly he had failed her.

“I won't hurt you again,” Bradly promised.

Varany said nothing.

She had believed promises before.

Later, Varany found herself back in Bradly's room with Nihan happily playing on the bed. The room was familiar, but everything felt different now.

“I want to sleep in the middle!” Nihan announced.

Neither parent argued.

Varany helped her daughter change into pajamas, then took a shower.

When she returned, Nihan was still awake, too excited to sleep. Bradly's eyes followed Varany as she walked toward the mirror, and she quickly focused on combing her hair.

She eventually climbed into bed, and Nihan immediately curled against her.

Bradly stayed nearby, watching them with an expression Varany remembered too well.

He went into the bathroom, and by the time he returned, Nihan was already half asleep in Varany's arms.

Bradly frowned when he saw Nihan curled tightly against Varany.

“Why are you holding her like that?” he whispered. “Lay her down. You'll get cramps.”

He reached for Nihan, but she only clung tighter to Varany.

“Let her be,” Varany whispered. “I'll move her later.”

Bradly paused, then smiled. “It's just…”

He stepped closer and adjusted the blanket around Nihan. His hand brushed Varany's arm, and she immediately stiffened.

She looked up at him, warning in her eyes.

Bradly stopped.

For a moment, neither moved.

Varany remembered how easily moments like this used to pull her back in. A gentle touch, a warm look, and she would start believing again.

She had already lost herself once.

She couldn't do it again.

Then she looked at Bradly.

There was no teasing in his expression, only a quiet love that seemed to have waited six years for this moment.

Varany tightened her arms around Nihan.

She should have looked away.

She didn't.

Bradly slowly leaned closer, and Varany felt the walls she had spent six years building begin to weaken.

It was only their first night under the same roof.

And already, she wasn't sure she could keep her distance.