Chapter 10

I was taken aback by the sudden question.

The little girl smiled broadly at me, looking absolutely adorable with a big orange bow in her hair.

“Ashley! Don’t be so rude!” her mother, Layla, scolded gently. She placed a hand on Ashley’s shoulder and made her sit properly. “I’m so sorry, Samantha. She’s been dying to meet you since yesterday.”

Instead of feeling offended, I waved at Ashley and gave her a soft smile. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Ashley.”

The last time I saw her was at my wedding—she had only been a year old.

And now…

She was already this lively, adorable child.

“Mommy, she waved at me!” Ashley bounced excitedly in her seat, her joy so pure that it made me wonder why she was this happy just to see me.

“I’m sorry,” Layla added with a smile. “She’s been your fan ever since she saw your movie The Little Angels. It airs every holiday.”

“She really loves Ms. Williams.”

“Really?” I couldn’t help but smile at Ashley. “That movie came out nine years ago. I’m not even sure I look the same anymore.”

The Little Angels…

A family movie about a kindergarten teacher at an orphanage—Hailey Williams—who tried to help her students find families before Christmas.

In the end, the children celebrated Christmas together… with her.

That movie had touched so many hearts.

It still aired every holiday season.

And yet…

I never received a single royalty from it.

Rowan had taken over everything.

My money.

My property.

My access to my own life.

For five years, I didn’t even have a bank card.

“Are you kidding?” Layla laughed softly. “You look just as young as you did back then. What’s your secret? I want to stay youthful too.”

I didn’t even know the answer myself.

Maybe being locked indoors for years…

Avoiding sunlight…

That was my secret.

“All right, enough talking,” Darren said, pulling Ashley onto his lap to stop her from bothering me further. “You need to respect your favorite actress’s private life, Ashley.”

“But Daddy,” Ashley protested, “my favorite actress is going to be my aunt! Her private life is my private life too!”

She paused suddenly.

Then her face scrunched in confusion.

“Wait! Isn’t Samantha married to my cousin Rowan? That means we were already family before!”

She held her head dramatically.

“But then… why is she marrying Uncle Zephyr?”

Her confusion only deepened.

“Daddy… can I marry two men in the future?”

“Hell no,” Darren said immediately, cupping her cheeks. “No man deserves my precious daughter.”

I laughed softly, watching their interaction.

It was warm.

Happy.

And painfully beautiful.

Because once…

I had dreamed of something like that too.

A family.

Children.

A loving husband.

But I failed.

I couldn’t get pregnant.

And my husband…

Was a nightmare.

Maybe…

I shouldn’t have dreamed at all.

“I’m not marrying two men,” I explained gently. “Rowan and I are no longer together. That’s why I can marry your uncle. Wouldn’t you like me to be your aunt?”

Ashley’s eyes lit up.

“Will you live here if you marry my uncle?”

“I think so,” I said with a smile.

“Then I want to be your niece!” she exclaimed, turning to Zephyr. “Uncle! You’re finally not a lonely Alpha anymore!”

Darren quickly covered her mouth. “I never taught her that!”

Layla giggled and pointed at him. “You say that at least twice a week.”

Darren gasped. “Honey, you’re supposed to defend your husband!”

Zephyr sighed, clearly done with them. “Let’s just eat.”

The room quieted as we started breakfast.

The food looked amazing.

But I barely touched it.

I found myself counting calories automatically.

Hesitating before every bite.

My fork hovered over the plate… then withdrew.

Again and again.

“Is the food not to your liking?” Zephyr asked.

His voice was calm.

But observant.

I looked up quickly. “No, it’s perfect. I’m just… not very hungry.”

He seemed like he wanted to say more.

But I spoke first.

“Are you going to the office today?”

“Yes. After breakfast.”

I hesitated.

“Can I go with you?”

The thought of staying alone in the manor made me uneasy.

I didn’t feel like I belonged here yet.

“If you want to,” he said. “Actually, I was going to ask you to come with me.”

I blinked. “Why? Do you need something from me?”

“You’ll see.”

I assumed he wanted to introduce me to his employees.

That made sense.

What I didn’t expect…

Was what came next.

When we arrived at the twenty-story building, he led me into a private conference room.

Three people were already inside.

They looked important.

Professional.

Which only made me more confused.

Why was I here?

Then I saw it.

Stacks of folders.

Scripts.

Neatly arranged on the glass table.

Zephyr gestured for me to sit.

I did.

Still unsure.

Still confused.

“I wanted to talk to you about this,” he said, picking up one of the scripts and flipping through it before placing it in front of me.

“These are projects I’ve been funding through my media company.”

He looked at me directly.

“I think you’re good enough to make a comeback with one of these.”

My eyes widened.

My mind went blank.

“Wait… what?”

I stared at him.

“You want me in one of your movies?”

I shook my head slightly, still trying to process it.

“Zephyr… are you insane?”