LOGIN124~Velma’s POVThe first thing I heard when we arrived was noise. Not the sharp kind that hurts the head, but the layered kind. Children laughing too loudly. Music playing from somewhere I could not see. The low mechanical groan of rides starting and stopping. The air smelled like sugar and oil and something fried, warm and tempting.Jaden pressed his face against the window as soon as the park gates came into view. His eyes were wide, round with excitement, his fingers gripping the seatbelt like he was afraid the car might disappear before we parked.“Daddy,” he said breathlessly, almost shaking. “Daddy, look. Look at the big wheel. Look!”Theron laughed softly as he slowed the car. “I am looking. I see it. You will not miss anything.”“But what if Juliet gets here first,” Jaden said, worry creeping into his voice. “What if she thinks I forgot?”I turned in my seat to face him, smiling gently. “You did not forget. You even got her roses. You are doing very well.”He nodded, but sti
123~Velma’s POVI pushed the door to my room open slowly. And there he was. Theron. Already dressed. Standing near the window with the morning light falling across his sharp features, the shirt fitting him perfectly, sleeves rolled just right, the faint crease of his jawline softening as he turned toward me. But his eyes… those eyes looked hurt. Vulnerable in a way that made me pause mid-step.He straightened slightly when he saw me. “How did you manage with the little man?” His voice was calm. I couldn’t help but smile softly, walking closer.“He’s such a handful,” I said, shaking my head gently, “but… he’s done. He’s ready. Happy, I think.”He exhaled, shoulders relaxing just a fraction.I moved behind him, wrapping my arms around his torso in a gentle hug. My head rested against his back for a moment, and I whispered softly, “Thank you for staying with him. For being there for me too. I love you, sweetheart.”He turned slowly in my embrace, his strong arms coming around me, holdin
122Velma’s POV“What’s so funny?” he asked, eyes wide.“You’re growing up fast, little man,” Theron said, ruffling his hair. “And apparently, you have a lot to tell us.”“I have to plan! I have to be ready!” Jaden said seriously, pointing a finger at both of us.I smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “Alright, alright. We’ll make sure your amusement park adventure is perfect. But first, we have to get dressed and ready. No one goes on a roller coaster in pajamas.”Jaden groaned, but he jumped up eagerly, heading toward his room to change. I glanced at Theron, who raised an eyebrow playfully. “You’re laughing now, but just wait. He’s going to be planning your entire day by the time we get to the parking lot.”“I know,” I said quietly, still smiling. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”Theron leaned closer, his hand brushing mine. “You know,” he murmured, “this little man is going to be the boss of us long before we realize it.”I chuckled softly. “Long before w
121~Velma’s POVHe climbed onto the stool beside the sink, hopping up and down impatiently, and I guided him through the motions, holding the brush and gently helping him clean every corner of his tiny teeth. The minty foam bubbled up, and he giggled, eyes squinting with amusement.“Careful,” I said, trying not to laugh at his exaggerated spit. “Don’t get it all over the floor.”“I’m careful!” he replied, though a little spray of foam landed on his pajamas anyway. I couldn’t help but smile at him, smoothing his hair back and wiping his chin.Theron leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. His lips twitched, clearly suppressing his amusement. “He’s got your stubbornness,” he said quietly to me.I laughed softly. “And your patience,” I replied, giving him a side glance.When we were done, Jaden climbed into the bed between us, the mattress sinking slightly under his weight. He curled up, pulling the covers close around his shoulders, his face soft and rela
120~Velma’s POVTheron nodded slowly, not pressing, not asking. That was him. He knew when to give me space, knew when to let me process in my own way. Jaden’s small hand rested on my arm, grounding me, and I let myself exhale.“I know it’s going to be sad,” I said quietly, my voice shaking a little. “And I’m… not ready yet. I need some time.”Theron’s hand brushed lightly over mine. “Then don’t,” he said simply. “There’s no rush. You can wait until you’re ready.”I nodded, feeling a small flicker of relief. I folded the letter back carefully, held the doll to my chest one more time, and then allowed myself to lean back into the couch, letting my body sink into the cushions.Jaden’s little face lit up, his eyes sparkling with sudden mischief. “Let’s play a game!” he exclaimed, hopping in place as if the idea itself had injected him with energy.I smiled, the corners of my lips lifting softly. “A game, huh? Alright. What do you have in mind?”“Hide and seek!” he shouted, clapping his
119~Velma’s POVI nodded, taking the box gently into my hands. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, though I could feel the tremor in it. The guard gave a curt nod and turned, disappearing back into the shadows of the parking lot.I watched him leave, then turned back to my bodyguard, who was waiting patiently in the car. “Let’s go,” I said softly. His nod was the only response I needed. The hum of the engine filled the silence as we drove through the city streets, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the asphalt.The box felt heavy in my lap, though not from its weight. It was the kind of weight that pressed on your chest, the kind that made your hands shake and your heart race. I kept my eyes fixed on it, my fingers tracing the edges of the lid, wondering what secrets it held.When we finally pulled up to my house, I exhaled, a long, shuddering breath, and opened the car door. “Thank you,” I said again to my bodyguard, my voice quieter this time, almos
55~Velma’s POVWe stepped outside, and the night breeze was soft. The lights of the restaurant reflected on the car windows, and I could hear the city around us, not loud, but alive. Theron opened the door, and I helped him settle Jaden in the back seat. I removed Jaden’s shoes so he could be comf
51~Velma’s POVI took a deep breath and let my grandfather see me again, not as the little girl he knew, but as someone who had walked through fire and come out alive.“Grandpa,” I said softly, “Theron… he invested in me when no one else would. The art galleries… they were scared of signing someon
52~Velma’s POVI took a deep breath and continued, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee cup as I tried to gather my thoughts. “Grandpa, after the wedding… Theron and I went on our honeymoon. I was heavily pregnant by then, and honestly, I thought it would be too much to travel or even enjoy mys
9Velma’s POVFive years later….The night event with Theron changed my life in a way that I didn’t expect. Five years in which I had built a small, perfect world of my own, a world that revolved around Jaden, my little miracle, whose laughter and warmth could melt the darkest of fears, and Theron,







