LOGINAdrian arrived shortly after.He had been at home when Imogen called him, and he had driven to the hospital without hesitation. He walked into the waiting room, his dark eyes filled with concern."How is she?""We don't know yet." Cassian looked up at him. "Thank you for coming.""Of course. She's family." Adrian sat down across from him. "What can I do?""Nothing. Just... be here.""I can do that."Maya arrived with coffee for everyone. She handed out cups, her presence calm and steady. "She's going to be okay," she said. "She's strong.""She is," Cassian agreed. But his voice was hollow, and his eyes kept drifting to the doors that separated him from his wife.Dr. Reyes finally emerged.Her face was serious but not grim. Cassian was on his feet immediately."How is she? How's the baby?""Let's talk in my office.""No. Tell me here. Is she okay?"Dr. Reyes sighed. "Your wife is stable. The baby is still alive. But there's been a complication.""What kind of complication?""The subcho
Clara sat in the garden, a blanket over her lap, the sun warm on her face.The roses were in full bloom, their fragrance heavy in the air. The fountain sparkled in the distance. A pair of butterflies danced among the flowers.She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.This is peace, she thought. This is what I've been fighting for.She thought about her mother and the life she had lived. She thought about the secrets that had been buried, the truths that had never been told. She thought about the baby growing inside her, and the future that stretched out before them."Mom," she whispered. "If you can hear me, if you're watching please give me strength. Please help me protect this baby. Please help me be the mother I want to be."The wind stirred the roses. The fountain bubbled. And for a moment, Clara felt a sense of peace she could not explain."Thank you," she whispered. "I love you."That evening, the family gathered for dinner.Clara was allowed to sit at the table, the doctor had s
Clara was discharged from the hospital two days later.The drive home was slow and careful. Cassian drove below the speed limit, his eyes constantly checking the rearview mirror, his hand resting on Clara's knee. She leaned back against the seat, her eyes closed, her hand on her stomach.We're going home, she thought. We're going home to our family.The estate was waiting for them.Elena had prepared a room for Clara on the ground floor no stairs, no exertion. A private nurse had been hired, a kind woman named Susan who would be available around the clock. The kitchen had been stocked with healthy foods, the doctor's instructions taped to the refrigerator."You didn't have to do all this," Clara said, as Cassian helped her into the room."Yes, we did." Elena appeared in the doorway, her arms full of fresh flowers. "You're carrying our grandchild. The least we can do is make sure you're comfortable.""Thank you, Elena. For everything."Elena set the flowers on the nightstand and kissed
The first thing Clara noticed was the beeping.It was a soft, steady rhythm familiar in a way that made her chest tighten. She had heard it before, years ago, in a hospital in Brisbane. The sound of machines keeping her alive. The sound of a life hanging in the balance.She opened her eyes slowly, the world swimming into focus. White ceiling. Fluorescent lights. The smell of antiseptic and clean linen. A hospital room.And beside her, holding her hand, was Cassian.He was asleep in the chair, his head tilted at an uncomfortable angle, his dark hair disheveled, his jaw shadowed with stubble. He looked exhausted like a man who had not slept in days. His hand was wrapped around hers, his grip gentle even in sleep.Clara watched him for a long moment, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. Then she squeezed his hand.He woke instantly."Clara?" His gray eyes flew open, and when he saw her looking at him, his face crumpled with relief. "Clara. You're awake. Oh, thank God. You're awake
The doctor finally emerged.He was a tall man with gray hair and kind eyes Dr. Harrison, the head of emergency medicine. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of something else there. Something that looked almost like happiness."Mr. Kingsley?"Cassian was on his feet immediately. "How is she? Is she okay?""She's stable. She's resting now. But we need to talk. There are some things you should know.""Can I see her?""After we talk. Please—my office."They followed him to a small office down the hall. Cassian, Elena, Alexander Sr., Adrian, Imogen. They sat down, their hearts pounding.Dr. Harrison closed the door and turned to face them."The situation is serious," he said. "But it's also... I want to tell you the good news first.""Good news?" Cassian's voice was hoarse."Your wife is pregnant."The room went silent.Then Cassian's face broke into a smile. "Pregnant? She's—we're—""Yes. She's pregnant. About four weeks along, based on our tests."Elena gasped. Alexander Sr
Cassian was not himself.He drove like a man possessed, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. The city blurred past him buildings, cars, people all of it meaningless. There was only one thing that mattered. One person.Clara.He ran a red light. Then another. Then another. Horns blared. Tires screeched. He did not care. He could not care. The only thought in his mind was her—her face, her smile, the way she had looked at him that morning when he kissed her goodbye.I can't lose her. I can't lose her again. Please, God, don't take her from me.He had already lost her once. Five years of believing she was dead. Five years of grief and guilt and regret. He had only just gotten her back. He had only just started to believe that happiness was possible.He could not lose her now.He ran another red light. A truck swerved to avoid him. He did not notice. His mind was a loop of fear and prayer and desperate hope.She has to be okay. She has to be. I'll do a
The airport terminal gleamed under fluorescent lights as Cassian strode through the sliding glass doors, his pulse beating faster than it had in years. He hadn't slept. He hadn't eaten. He had barely registered the drive across the city, his hands gripping the steering wheel of his black Rolls-Royc
The morning of my fourth wedding anniversary, I woke before sunrise.This was not unusual. I had long ago learned that the early hours belonged to me alone quiet, unclaimed, untouched by the weight of being Mrs. Cassian Kingsley. By the time my husband stirred in his separate bedroom down the hall,
Cassian woke to a headache banging inside his skull.He groaned and pressed his palms against his eyes. His mouth was dry. His body felt foreign. Fragments of the previous night drifted through his mind Julian's fireplace, Vanessa's laughter, the burn of whiskey but they were broken, impossible to
The party at Julian's house had burned down to embers.Marcus was passed out on the couch, an empty glass dangling from his fingers. Derek had disappeared into a guest room. Priya was curled in an armchair, heels kicked off. The music had faded to a low hum.Vanessa slept on the chaise lounge by th







