เข้าสู่ระบบThe morning routine had become a comfort.Clara woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains, the distant sound of birdsong, and the warmth of Cassian's body beside her. He had taken to sleeping in the bed with her now not just in the armchair ever since the scare. She had protested at first, worried about disturbing his sleep, but he had insisted."I sleep better when I'm next to you," he had said. "Besides, what if something happens in the night? I need to be here."She had not argued after that.She ate breakfast in bed a tray of scrambled eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and a glass of orange juice. Cassian sat beside her, reading the news on his tablet, occasionally reaching over to steal a piece of fruit from her plate."Hey," she protested, when he took a strawberry. "That's mine.""Sharing is caring.""You have your own plate.""Yours tastes better."She laughed and let him have the strawberry.After breakfast, Cassian helped her to the bathroom she was allowed short
The days blurred together.Clara had never been good at doing nothing. She was a woman of action a problem solver, a leader, a doer. Bed rest was a form of torture she had never anticipated. But she had made a promise, and she intended to keep it.So she found ways to cope.She worked from home. Cassian had set up a small desk beside her bed, complete with a laptop, a tablet, and a phone. She held video conferences with her team, reviewed reports, approved designs. Adrian had been understanding, telling her to take all the time she needed, but Clara could not simply disappear. Work was part of who she was.She journaled. A small leather-bound notebook sat on her nightstand, and every day she wrote a letter to the baby. She told it about the world it was coming into the family that loved it, the siblings who were waiting for it, the father who was already wrapped around its tiny finger.She read. Cassian had brought her a stack of books novels, memoirs, poetry collections. She lost her
Adrian 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 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
The Kingsley estate was quiet when Cassian and Vanessa left for Julian's house.Clara stood in the hallway, thin and pale, the yellow-green remnants of her bruises still visible. She had been recovering for three days, speaking to no one. The household had adjusted to the new order Vanessa at the c
Two days. That was all it took for Vanessa to colonize my home.She arrived with four suitcases and an air of casual ownership I had never managed in four years. The maids flocked to her. They laughed at her jokes, complimented her clothes, rushed to prepare her meals. My own requests had always be
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







