ANMELDEN[Mommy, don't be scared! Daddy's amazing!]My baby boy squealed with excitement in my mind.[Daddy's driving is super steady. We'll be at the hospital to see the doctor in no time!]When we got to the hospital, Ian carried me all the way to the delivery room. His brows were tightly furrowed, but he never once let go of my hand. This man, who could stay calm even in mortal danger, now had sweat slicking his palm. He was so nervous that he was barely breathing.Once we were in the delivery room, the contractions rolled in, one wave after another. My whole body was soaked in sweat from the pain, and my hand clamped down hard on Ian's.He kneeled halfway by the bed, using a cool cotton swab to moisten my dry lips. His eyes were rimmed red, and tear after tear fell onto the back of my hand.Those endless days and nights of rehab finally meant something at this moment. He wasn't speechless anymore. His voice was hoarse but gentle as it drifted into my ears again and again."Sof, don't
I looked into Ian's bloodshot eyes—anxious and hopeful like a dog waiting for a command—and bit down hard on my lower lip, forcing back the stinging in my nose.I didn't nod or take his phone. I only lifted my chin, brushed an imaginary speck of dust off his shoulder, and let the corners of my lips curl up in the faintest hint of a smile.When I spoke, my voice wasn't loud, but it was more than enough for him to hear every single word clearly. "In your dreams. My standards are really high now."I paused, watching the light in his eyes dim for a second. Only then did I slowly add, "We'll see how you perform, Captain Goldman."Ian froze for a beat. Then, joy crashed over him like a tsunami, filling his usually cold and stoic face.This man, who never flinched in the ruins of collapsed buildings or in roaring fires, suddenly looked like a kid who'd just been handed candy. His lips stretched into a wide, silent, blinding grin.…Ever since that day at the training base when he'd pub
As for Molly and the two thugs who tried to abduct me, they were all taken into criminal custody in accordance with the law. What awaited them was a long life behind bars.The dark cloud that had been hanging over my head for five months was finally blown away for good.…A week later, I was invited to attend the family open day and training demonstration at the crisis response firm's training base.I sat in the stands, watching sunlight pour over the massive helipad and the obstacle training field. I saw Ian in a sharply pressed black tactical uniform, standing at the very front of the formation, his back straight. He was still a little thin, but the sharp, intimidating presence of a special operations captain had fully returned to him.After the demonstration ended, it was time for the team to confirm the new quarter's family authorization forms, as per tradition.In front of hundreds of team members, officers, and family members, I watched Ian stride up to the podium and take
The team snapped to attention and saluted. "Captain!"The wail of sirens grew closer and closer.The moment the cold handcuffs clicked shut around Molly's and the thugs' wrists, terror finally hit her. She thrashed wildly, sobbing as she screamed at Ian for mercy."Ian, I raised you! Even if I don't deserve credit, at least I suffered for it! You can't have me arrested! You'll be cursed for this!"Ian stood ramrod straight beside me, his hard, chiseled face utterly unmoved. He simply reached out, clamped his hands over my ears, and pulled my head tight against his chest, refusing to let me hear any of that filthy shrieking and cursing.…Molly's public meltdown and self-incrimination at the entrance of the county clerk's office became the final blow that shattered Jessica's fortress of lies.The police investigation moved at remarkable speed. When I went in later to make a statement, the officer in charge told me that Molly's pitiful bravado had instantly crumbled in the face of
"I-Ian?" Molly collapsed onto the steps in shock, her legs giving out under her. Her face turned ashen. "W-Weren't you done for? How are you…"Ian ignored her. He turned around, his hands shaking so badly that he could barely clench them into fists. With incredible care, he helped me up from the ground.Once he was sure I wasn't hurt and that the baby was okay, that destructive, murderous rage in his eyes finally eased a fraction.He shielded me completely behind his broad chest, then turned his head and locked his gaze on Molly. "How dare you touch her!""Ian! I'm your mother!"Sensing things were going south, Molly slapped her thigh and launched into a full-blown scene right there at the entrance of the county clerk's office.She wailed at the top of her lungs, "You ungrateful brat! The moment you get back, you try to beat your own mother to death over some cheap whore! Everybody, come look!"People who were there to deal with paperwork started gathering around, pointing and w
The sun was bright the day I was discharged.Ian went to handle the paperwork and bring the car around, telling me to wait for him on a bench in the hospital lobby.He had barely left when a beat-up van screeched to a stop at the hospital entrance. The sliding door banged open, and a few burly thugs rushed in. They grabbed me by the arms and started dragging me out without uttering a single word."Let go of me! What are you doing?" I struggled in terror, my hands clamped protectively over my stomach."Quit screaming! Shut up!" A sharp, grating voice I knew all too well cut through the chaos.Then, Molly, who'd been missing for five months, leaned out of the van. Her eye sockets were sunken, and her whole face was twisted with a gambler's madness.She jabbed a finger in my direction and snapped at the thugs, "Hurry up! Don't let anyone see! We're getting that certificate today, no matter what!"Next to her sat a man in loud, gaudy clothes, drooling as he chewed on his fingers. He







