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chapter 126

Author: TemsRay
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-17 14:53:42

The tension in the house grew by the hour. Lia felt it in the smallest things the subtle way Ruben checked the locks twice before bed, the way the guards outside rotated positions every two hours instead of four, the hushed phone calls that ended as soon as she entered the room.

Julian noticed it too. Children always did, even when adults thought they were shielding them.

“Mama,” he whispered one evening while she tucked him into bed, “why are there more uncles outside?”

Lia hesitated. His wide, innocent eyes searched hers, waiting. She smoothed his hair back and forced a smile.

“They’re just… helping Daddy protect us,” she said softly.

Julian smiled faintly at the word “Daddy,” but his gaze dropped almost instantly. Lia’s heart clenched Julian was still conflicted, still not fully ready to accept Ruben in that role. And Ruben, for all his patience, was burning inside with the need for his son to finally know him.

Downstairs, Ruben sat at his desk with his head bowed, elbows braced on
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