LOGIN136~Dylan’s POVI stepped out of the office, my hands rubbing the bridge of my nose for a brief moment. I had wanted to see Jaden, to greet the little guy, but Velma’s words had lingered in my ears like a dull echo: “Do not relate with Mr. Dylan.” I could still hear the firmness in her voice, the subtle edge of worry.I pushed the feeling aside. Jaden deserved a small treat. Something to lift his spirits. With that thought, I walked down the quiet streets to a nearby bakery. I picked out a small assortment of pastries, colorful and child-friendly: mini eclairs, fruit tarts with glistening berries, cream puffs that looked like little clouds. I imagined Jaden’s small hands reaching out for them, his face lighting up, and it made me smile despite the tension gnawing at the edges of my mind.Back at the studio, I quietly pushed the door open. I had half expected Velma to come running at me, yelling, perhaps waving her hands, ready to scold me for intruding. But there was no yelling. No s
135~Velma’s POV“You know,” he said quietly, his tone soft but with a subtle edge, “those words…they hurt.”I shrugged, glancing back at him over my shoulder, letting the faintest smirk brush my lips. “I have a lot to do,” I said simply. “I need to get into the studio and focus.”He nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on me a second longer than necessary. “Alright,” he murmured. His hands fell to his sides, his posture shifting into that calm, contained stance he always assumed.I waved at him briefly, giving a small cautionary glance over my shoulder. “Jaden, remember,” I said softly, crouching down to his level. “That man is Mr. Dylan, he is the one I told you not to relate with, okay?”Jaden furrowed his small brow, tilting his head. “Is he a bad guy?” he asked, his voice innocent but edged with curiosity.I nodded lightly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Yes, sweetie. Just be careful, okay? And behave while I work.”He nodded solemnly, though I could see the faint spa
~Velma’s POV“You won’t be going to school today, little man,” I said softly, brushing his hair back. “Mommy needs to keep an eye on you and make sure you’re okay.”His small face brightened slightly. “So… I can go with you to work?” he asked, curiosity and excitement battling his discomfort.I nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear. “Yes, but only for a little while. We have work to do, and Mommy needs to finish her drawings.”Jaden’s eyes lit up, and he shifted closer, seemingly forgetting his fever for a moment. “I want to see where Mommy works!”I smiled softly at his enthusiasm, but a pang of worry ran through me. My mind immediately flicked to Dylan. He would be at work, and I could not risk him seeing Jaden. The thought tightened something in my chest. I needed to focus, and needed to finish my drawings. But for now… my priority was my little boy.I moved to the kitchen and began preparing a simple breakfast, careful to keep it light since both of us were a little off
133~Velma’s POVJaden blinked up at me, sniffing and nodding faintly. Theron gave him an encouraging smile, and even Juliet’s small hands reached out, touching my arm for reassurance.Marianne returned and crouched down beside Jaden, gently unwrapping a small bandage. “Let’s clean it up first,” she said softly. The smell of antiseptic filled the air as she carefully dabbed at the tiny cut. Jaden flinched once, then relaxed as the sting faded. I held his other hand tightly, whispering, “See? All better soon.”“It’s… not too bad, right?” he asked in a small, uncertain voice.“No, little man,” I said, brushing his hair back from his forehead. “It’s just a little scratch. You’re going to be running around again in no time.”Marianne finished dressing the wound, gently placing a tiny bandage over it. “All done,” she said softly. “You were very brave.”Jaden’s small face lit up with a shy grin, and Juliet pressed her cheek against mine, her eyes still a little watery. I kissed the top of h
132~Velma’s POV“Why don’t we move to the dining area to have our lunch?” Juliet’s mother asked politely.“Sure,” I nodded and they led us in.The smell of warm food filled the air, comforting and rich, mingling with the faint scent of flowers from the vase on the dining table. The house had a quiet hum to it, the soft clink of cutlery, the low chatter of Jaden and Juliet, the distant tick of the clock marking moments that somehow felt slower, more deliberate, as if the world had paused just for today.We all settled around the dining table, Jaden and Juliet across from each other, their small hands sometimes brushing as they reached for glasses of juice. I sat beside Theron, who had a faint, satisfied smile tugging at his lips as he watched the kids’ interactions. I could feel him relax, his arm brushing mine now and then as he reached for a dish, small moments that felt heavy with comfort and familiarity.The first course was a simple but elegant spread: roasted vegetables, fresh s
131~Velma’s POVMorning light spilled softly through the curtains, gentle and golden. I blinked a few times, still half-dreaming, and realized that Theron was already awake, quietly stretching beside me. The house was still peaceful, the faint hum of the morning outside, the distant chatter of birds, the soft rustle of leaves in the wind, forming a quiet backdrop to the start of our day.Jaden, predictably, was already awake. I heard his small, muffled voice calling out from his room.“Mom! Dad! Wake up! Today is the day!”I groaned softly, snuggling closer to Theron for a moment before sitting up. He chuckled quietly, low and warm, brushing a strand of hair from my face.“Looks like someone is very excited,” he murmured, the corners of his lips twitching upward.I laughed softly. “I think our little man barely slept, and now he’s on full energy mode.”“Go check on him,” Theron said, his voice amused but gentle. “I’ll be out in a minute.”I slipped out of bed, padding softly down the
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
53~Velma’s POVI nodded, still holding my grandfather’s hand, feeling the warmth and strength in it. I hadn’t even realized I’d been crying while telling him everything; my heart had carried so many memories that the tears just slipped out without asking. Grandpa noticed and handed me a tissue wit







