Mag-log in~Velma’s POVThere was a brief pause, and then Marianne spoke again. “I was wondering… if it’s not too much to ask… would you all like to come over tomorrow? Just for a while. We thought the kids could play again, and we could get to know each other better. Nothing formal, just… a casual visit.”My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected this. I wanted to hesitate, to come up with some excuse, but I couldn’t. The thought of furthering this budding connection between our families, of letting Jaden and Juliet continue to grow close, felt right.“Yes, we’d love that,” I said softly, smiling. “Thank you for inviting us. Please send me the address, and we’ll be there.”“Oh, wonderful!” she said, her voice bright. “I’ll send it right away. The kids are going to be so excited. I can hardly wait to see them together again.”“I can’t wait either,” I replied, a soft laugh escaping me. “We’ll see you tomorrow then.”“Thank you again. You really made today so special,” Marianne said before ending
129~Velma’s POV“Would it be alright if we joined the pictures?” Juliet’s mother asked politely, tilting her head, her eyes warm. “We’d love to have a few shots together with the kids.”I exchanged a glance with Theron, whose eyes softened when they met mine. I nodded. “Of course. Let’s do it.”Theron’s arm looped around my waist gently as we stepped closer to the kids. Jaden grinned so wide I thought his cheeks might crack. Juliet clutched his small hand, her fingers curling tightly around his, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.The operator behind the camera clapped his hands. “Alright, families! Everyone together! Make it fun. Smile, be silly, do whatever you like.”Jaden immediately began jumping, tugging Juliet toward the props stand. “Hats! Mustaches! Sunglasses! Everything!”Juliet laughed, picking up a pair of oversized pink glasses. “I want these!”I handed Jaden a small pirate hat, adjusting it carefully on his head. Theron put on a fake mustache from the props, holding
128~Velma’s POVTheron crossed his arms, his gaze playful. “Spinning, huh? That sounds like the spinning teacups. They have those over by the central area. Fast enough to make you laugh, but nothing too scary for your little hearts.”Jaden’s face lit up. “Yes! That’s it! The teacups! We’ll spin and spin and spin!” He twirled around in a small circle, giggling, then tugged at Juliet’s hand. “Come on! Let’s go!”Juliet laughed, her soft giggle mingling with his. “Okay! But I’m holding your hand the whole time!”Her mother nodded approvingly. “Good choice. Now, make sure to listen to the ride rules. No standing, and hold on tight.”I smiled and ruffled Jaden’s hair. “Alright, little man, lead the way. Mommy and Daddy will watch, but we’ll be right here. I want to see how fast you can make your teacup spin.”Theron chuckled, looping his arm through mine. “You know, I’m almost a little jealous. We should’ve picked one too, maybe we could have challenged each other.”Juliet’s father bent d
127~Velma’s POVThe bar came down with a heavy click.It was louder than I expected. Final. The kind of sound that told you there was no stepping back now, no polite excuse, no sudden change of heart. Juliet stiffened a little beside Jaden, and I saw her swallow.The ship creaked as it settled into place, chains groaning softly, wood and metal complaining in that tired, old-ride way. Lights blinked along its sides, chasing each other in uneven patterns. The smell of oil mixed with sugar and popcorn hung in the air.Then it began to move.At first, it was gentle. Almost polite. A slow sway, like someone rocking a cradle without much confidence.Left.Right.The crowd noise faded into something distant. The music from another ride drifted over, thin and tinny. Juliet’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, and she let out a small laugh, surprised.Jaden laughed louder.“This is fun,” he shouted, his voice carrying even over the hum of the machine.The ship swung back again, a little higher thi
125~Velma’s POVThe wheel began to move again, descending gently. The breeze brushed against the cabin, cool and comforting. Juliet hummed softly, some tune only she knew. Jaden kicked his feet lightly, still staring out the window like he was afraid the view might disappear if he blinked.When we reached the bottom and stepped out, Jaden let out a happy sigh.“Can we do it again someday?” he asked.I brushed his hair back gently. “We will.”We kept walking after that, letting the crowd carry us forward slowly. The lights from the rides reflected on the pavement, stretching and blurring as people passed. Music drifted from different corners of the park, mixing together in a way that felt messy but warm. Jaden skipped a little ahead of us, his hand brushing Juliet’s now and then like he was not sure if he was allowed to hold it for too long.I stayed just behind them with Theron, watching.Juliet suddenly slowed down. Her steps became smaller, her shoulders drooping a little. Then she
125~Velma’s POVHe adjusted his stance, took a breath, and threw again. The ring landed perfectly, sliding down the bottle with a soft clink.His eyes widened. Then he laughed, loud and proud.“I did it,” he shouted.The attendant handed him a small stuffed bear. Without hesitation, Jaden turned and placed it into Juliet’s hands.“For you,” he said, his voice gentle now.Juliet’s face lit up. She hugged the bear to her chest, smiling so wide it felt contagious.“Thank you,” she whispered.I found myself smiling without even realizing it.“That was so beautiful to watch,” I said softly, my voice carrying more feeling than I meant to show. “You both did so well.”Juliet’s parents stood beside me, her mother holding her small purse with both hands, her father with his arms crossed loosely over his chest. They exchanged a look before her mother laughed quietly.“It really was,” she said, eyes warm as she watched their daughter hug the stuffed bear Jaden had won. “Children make these thin
36~Dylan’s POVI watched from the corner of the VIP ward as Eva and her parents hovered near Chairman Fridolf’s bed, their voices sharp, their eyes flashing with entitlement and fear. “Father, we will not take it lightly if you give all your shares to someone who is not part of this family,” her f
37~Velma’s POVI was checking my suit again, frowning at a stubborn stain I hadn’t noticed before. The receptionist had told me about it earlier, and I wasn’t about to let it stay there. I carefully rubbed at the fabric, my mind elsewhere, when suddenly the door burst open. Dylan. Without knocking
34~Dylan’s POV“I asked when you will be leaving,” I said again. “I need to know because there are plans for the day, and your presence makes things complicated.”“Maybe you should go back to your husband’s house for a while. Give the house some space.”She scoffed loudly, a sound that grated agai
35~Dylan’s POVHer voice was sharp but trembling just slightly. “You just barged in? Without knocking?”I held my hands up slowly, smiling just enough to ease the tension. “Crazy? Maybe a little,” I admitted, my voice low but controlled. “But I had to see you. I couldn’t wait. I need to know how y







