MasukVienna’s POVAfter what felt like the longest movie night of my life, Warren and I stood awkwardly in the hallway.The easy laughter from earlier had faded into something quieter. He shifted his weight slightly, rubbing the back of his neck."Well… uh," he said, glancing toward the staircase. "I should probably—""Yeah," I cut in quickly, nodding. "You should. Guest room.""Right. Guest room," he echoed.A beat passed. Then another.God, this was ridiculous.We’d shared so much—history, pain, a child—and yet here we were, acting like two teenagers after a first date."Goodnight, Vienna," he said softly."Goodnight, Warren."He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. It was… careful. Respectful.But the moment his arms wrapped around me, his warmth, his scent, the solid familiarity of him—it all hit me at once.I froze for half a second before hugging him back.Not too tight. Not too long."Sleep well," he murmured near my hair."You too."We pulled apart quickly, almost at the same
Vienna’s POVI really tried not to let Edward’s behavior get under my skin.But it did. God, it did.I could maybe—maybe—understand him ignoring me. Things between us were complicated, messy, unresolved. Maybe he didn’t want a scene. Maybe he was angry. Maybe he was trying to make a point.But Oliver?That… I couldn’t understand.I glanced at the boy, who sat unusually quiet now, his small shoulders slightly hunched, his earlier excitement completely gone."He didn’t hear me," Oliver muttered after a while, staring down at his plate.Warren and I exchanged a quick look."I’m sure that’s it, buddy," Warren said gently. "Restaurants can be really loud."Oliver shook his head. "But I said it loud. Two times.""I know you did," Warren said calmly. "But sometimes people are distracted. Grown-ups get stuck in their heads."Oliver poked at a fry. "He always hears me."My chest tightened.I reached over, brushing my hand softly over his hair. "Hey… maybe he had something important going on,"
Edward’s POVThe second my eyes locked with Vienna’s across the restaurant, I knew this night had just turned into a disaster.Why here? Why tonight?And why the hell did she have to be sitting there—with him—looking like… a family.My jaw tightened as I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, but inside, everything twisted violently.Warren sat across from her, his posture relaxed, attentive. Oliver was between them, chattering away, completely at ease.They looked… whole. Happy.Like I had never existed in that picture at all."Mr. Cross," one of the men at the table said, his voice cutting through my thoughts like a blade.I tore my gaze away instantly, schooling my features into something calm—detached."Yes?" I replied smoothly.The man across from me—broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed—leaned forward slightly. His accent was thick, unmistakably Russian."You seem… distracted."It was a warning, not a question.I gave a small, almost sheepish chuckle. "Jet lag," I said lightly. "Lo
Vienna’s POVMy heart cracked clean open.Warren softened instantly, crouching down to Oliver’s level. "Hey, hey… buddy," he said gently. "It’s okay. Your mommy just needs a little space, alright?"Oliver shook his head fiercely. "No she doesn’t! Mommy wants you here too! Right, mommy?"Both of them looked at me.I froze."I—I…" I stammered, completely caught off guard.Oliver took a step closer. "We’re family, mommy."His words hit me straight in the chest."I love it when daddy is here with us," he continued, his voice smaller now, more vulnerable. "It feels… nice."Warren glanced up at me, his expression careful, cautious—like he didn’t want to overstep."I don’t want to make things harder for your mom," he said softly to Oliver. "She’s been through a lot lately.""But I’ve been through stuff too!" Oliver insisted, his little hands balling into fists. "My daddy was gone for a long time. And now he’s back. Why can’t he stay?"Silence fell. Because… how do you argue with that?I swa
Vienna’s POVLuna padded softly into the living room, her nails clicking lightly against the floor. For a moment, neither of us noticed her—we were too wrapped up in the heavy silence that had settled between us.Then she let out a small, pleading whine.I looked down just as she placed her fluffy head gently on Edward’s lap, her dark eyes gazing up at him with unmistakable affection.Edward let out a quiet breath, his hand automatically coming down to stroke her fur."Hey, girl," he murmured. "You always know when something’s off, don’t you?"Luna’s tail wagged faintly, as if in response.My chest tightened painfully.God… Luna. This house. The life we had started building here.All of it—every piece—had Edward’s fingerprints on it. The surprises. The laughter. The safety I had thought I’d found.My throat closed up as I watched him with her.I gave him a tearful smile, my voice trembling. "You’ve been so good to me, Edward… to us. I don’t want this to end."His hand stilled for just
Vienna’s POVMy fingers trembled as I typed the message."Glad you’re alive. You can come over anytime."Three little dots appeared almost instantly, then disappeared again. Then appeared again.Relief washed over me. Edward was there. Somewhere out there. Alive. Safe.I locked my phone and looked up to find Warren watching me carefully from across the room, his expression quiet but perceptive."That was him?" he asked gently.I nodded. "Yeah. He… wants to come over. To explain."Warren held my gaze for a moment, then gave a small, understanding nod. "Do you want me to take Oliver out for a bit?"My heart squeezed at the kindness in his voice. No jealousy. No pressure. Just… support."I think that might be good," I admitted softly.Just then, Oliver came barreling into the room, clutching one of Luna’s toys."Mommy! Look, Luna thinks this is her baby!" he giggled, holding up the slobbery plush.I forced a smile, brushing his hair back. "That’s very sweet, honey."He looked between War
Vienna’s POVBefore I knew it, wedding day came.Which meant… I’d have to face Edward.The realization hit me somewhere between rinsing shampoo from my hair and tripping over Luna, who had decided that the bathroom mat was her mortal enemy. Steam fogged up the mirror as I wrapped myself in a towel,
Vienna’s POV"I couldn’t bear watching you glowing like that in that dress without having you all to myself for just a moment," Edward said huskily.The words landed low in my belly. I smiled despite myself, feeling my cheeks flush as I leaned back against the storeroom wall. "You dragged me in her
Vienna’s POV"Daddy?"Oliver’s voice was so small it barely carried, but it cut through the room like a blade.Lauren jerked back as if she’d been electrocuted, her lips breaking away from Warren’s. She spun toward us, eyes flashing, her face hardening the second she saw me."Vienna?" she snapped. "
Vienna’s POVI stared at him, stunned. My pulse roared in my ears, loud enough that it drowned out the noise of the bar around us. This shouldn’t matter. It couldn’t.Edward’s face flashed through my mind as if summoned by guilt alone. His kindness. His patience. The way he kissed me, the way he h







