—SAMANTHA—My cheeks burned. Even after everything, the pain, the fights, the betrayals, Dalton still had the power to make me blush like a highschool teenager.“Ready to take a little break from all this noise?” he asked, glancing toward the side deck that faced the open sea.I nodded. “Yeah, I need some fresh air.”He smiled, then shifted Amore into my arms for a quick kiss on her cheek before handing her back to the nanny who had just walked up to us. “Take care of her, please,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.The nanny nodded and left with Amore, while Dalton laced his fingers through mine. His hand was warm, steady, and strong. The kind of hold that made me feel safe, like nothing could ever go wrong again.We walked to the edge of the deck, away from the crowd, until the only sounds were the distant hum of music and the soothing rhythm of the waves. The wind kissed my face as I stared at the endless ocean, my heart swelling with emotions I couldn’t put into words.Dalton s
—SAMANTHA POV—It's been a year… A long year. The sea glistened under the beautiful glow of the evening sun. The waves were calm, kissing the sides of the grand cruise ship as laughter and music filled the air. The entire deck was alive, bright lights, glasses clinking, people chatting in elegant gowns and tuxedos. Tonight wasn’t just any night. It was a celebration, a celebration of life, of survival, of victory over everything that tried to break me.A whole year had passed since that night. So much had changed. I had changed.I placed a gentle hand on my belly and smiled to myself. I was big—heavily pregnant. The blue dress I wore hugged my bump beautifully, making me look more alluring. It wasn’t easy, carrying two lives inside me, but tonight I felt strong, surrounded by people I loved and trusted.Grace stood beside me, looking as radiant as ever in her wine-red gown, her hair tied up in a bun that showed off her slim neck. Meanwhile, MJ was on the other side of me, sipping
—SAMANTHA POV—The moment the lights came back on, I had to blink a few times because the sudden brightness made my eyes sting. A hush fell across the entire banquet hall, as though everyone had been holding their breath. Then all at once, voices started buzzing, confused murmurs rising like a storm.“What happened?!” someone shouted from the left.“Check the power!” another man yelled.My heart thudded inside my chest. Dalton’s arm instantly wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I could barely see, but his warmth was there, strong and protective.Then I saw her, Grace.She walked onto the stage with the grace of someone who owned the entire hall, wearing a fitted black gown that hugged her curves like a second skin. Her heels clicked against the wooden platform, echoing in the silence that slowly spread as people turned to look at her.My heart raced, but my lips curved into the faintest smile. I knew this was coming. Dalton knew too. We had talked about this. But stil
—SAMANTHA POV—Tonight was the night. Grace dabbed at my cheek with the finest powder, while Maryjane fussed over my hair, twisting strands until they fell perfectly in place.“Honestly, Sam,” Maryjane said, stepping back to admire her handiwork, “you’re going to steal the show tonight. Everyone will be looking at you and for once, that’s exactly what you want.”I smiled faintly, though my stomach twisted with anticipation. “I hope so,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “After everything, this night has to be perfect. It’s not just a party, it’s the moment we reclaim everything.”Grace leaned closer, her brush poised over my eyelid. “And you will, Sam. Don’t doubt yourself. You’ve worked too hard, fought too much to let tonight be anything less than yours.”I nodded, biting my lip. The thought of Dalton waiting outside, holding Amore, made my heart skip. This was the first big event since… everything. Since the the kidnapping, the fire. I was ready, and I needed to be strong,
SAMANTHA POV—I was sitting by the edge of the bed, brushing my hair slowly, my mind heavy with everything that had happened in the last few days. Dalton was somewhere in the house with Amore, I could hear her laughter floating faintly through the open window. It made me smile a little, but deep down, my chest still ached.Slowly I placed the brush down on the dresser and stood up, walking towards the balcony to get some fresh air. The sky was clear, a soft shade of blue with lazy clouds drifting across. The air smelled like the flowers in the garden below. For a moment, I closed my eyes and tried to calm my mind.Then the door opened quietly behind me.I turned around, expecting it to be Grace or maybe one of the maids. But when I saw who it was, I froze.“Damon…” My lips parted slightly.He stood there at the door, tall and handsome, dressed in a black tailored suit that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. His presence filled the room like a storm, calm, but dangerous. His gray
—DALTON POV—After breakfast, I carried Amore in my arms toward the poolside. She was light, small, like a delicate flower, but her little fists were tight around my shirt as if she didn’t fully trust me yet. And honestly, I couldn’t blame her. To her, I was the stranger who had caused her mother pain, the man who was now suddenly in their lives claiming a place.When Samantha left us alone after breakfast, I caught the signal she gave me, those eyes saying “Try. Please try.” So, here I was. I had made a promise to her, and to myself, that I wouldn’t fail at this.Amore stared at the water and then back at me with her big brown eyes. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her voice so small it almost broke something inside me.“To have fun,” I said softly, setting her down on one of the cushioned pool chairs. “Do you like swimming?”She shook her head quickly, her curly hair bouncing. “No.”“Why not?” I asked, crouching in front of her so I could be at eye level.“Because… I don’t