LOGINKennedy was already walking toward the entrance. "The third floor balcony, no glass children climb. We'll replace it. The indoor pool, cover it. The study..." He frowned. "Too many sharp shelves."As he continued walking, he was already mentally redesigning the estate. "This hallway is too empty. A child running through here could slip. We'll change the flooring. The garden path, wider. The guest wing maybe a playroom..."Shannon slowly shook her head. It had been less than three hours, three hours since he'd learned he was going to become a grandfather and somehow the entire estate had already become a construction project.She couldn't help laughing. "You really aren't joking."Kennedy looked over his shoulder. "About what?""You've already started planning.""Of course." He answered as though it were obvious. "My grandson deserves the safest home possible."Shannon sighed dramatically. "Granddaughter.""My grandson." She laughed. "You'll never give up.""Never."They stepped insid
Just once, he had wanted Edward Vale to understand, to truly understand what it meant to lose a child.The thought had burned so fiercely inside him but then he had looked at Shannon and he had remembered the way she'd spoken Sean's name. The tears she'd cried at her mother's grave, the hesitation in her voice whenever she mentioned him and now there was a baby.Sean wasn't just Edward Vale's son anymore. He was also the father of his grandchild. If Kennedy took Sean away he wouldn't only be punishing Edward, he would be stealing the future from his own daughter. He knew Shannon. She would never scream at him, she would never accuse him, she would never tell him he was wrong, she would quietly accept whatever he decided but she would never truly forgive him. Not in her heart, not for taking away the man she loved.Kennedy couldn't bear the thought. He had already missed twenty seven years of her life. He refused to spend the years he had left watching disappointment hide behind her s
Aria watched him for another few seconds then, "Enough sulking."Sean didn't even react.She folded her arms. "I've had enough of your sulking. I will call her now."Sean finally blinked. "Hm?"Aria was already unlocking her phone. "I'm calling Shannon."Sean instinctively sat a little straighter. His eyes followed every movement as Aria tapped Shannon's contact.The call rang once, twice, then, "Hey, Aria."Shannon's voice came through the speaker.Sean immediately froze. His fingers slowly tightened around the armrest. It had only been a few days but hearing her voice again made his heart ache.Aria pouted dramatically. "Miss Shannon Miles."Shannon laughed softly. "What's with the full name?""You forgot something.""I did?""My location."There was a brief pause then Shannon gasped. "Oh my God. I'm so sorry. I completely forgot."Aria clicked her tongue. "I've been sitting here waiting. I even refreshed our chat like five times.""I'm sorry." Shannon laughed apologetically. "It co
A few minutes later both father and daughter walked out of the hospital together. The afternoon sun had broken through the clouds. As soon as they climbed into the SUV, Kennedy looked toward Grant. "To the mall."Shannon frowned. "The mall?"Kennedy looked at her as though the answer was obvious. "We're buying baby things."Her eyes widened. "Dad.""What?""It's way too early."Kennedy waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense. It's never too early. We need clothes, a crib, a stroller, a car seat, bottles, toys, a nursery." He suddenly looked thoughtful. "We'll probably need a bigger house."Shannon burst into laughter. "We already live in a mansion!""True." He nodded seriously. "But what if the baby wants more space?"She stared at him. "The baby is smaller than my hand.""So?" Kennedy replied. "I like prepared babies."She laughed even harder. "We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl.""Easy. We'll buy both.""Dad...""We'll buy blue, we'll buy pink, we'll buy yellow, we'll buy green,
Across the room Shannon hadn't moved. Her fingers unconsciously brushed against her stomach. There was no bump, no sign, nothing to tell the world that a tiny life had already begun. Her breathing remained shallow. "...A baby." She whispered to herself. Mine... And Sean's.A tiny smile almost appeared before reality crashed into her again.Sean. How was she supposed to tell him? She closed her eyes. Would he smile? Would he cry? Would he run straight to her? Or would this only make everything worse?Her thoughts spiraled. A baby, a child born into two families that hated each other. A Miles and a Vale. How could that child ever grow up without carrying the weight of the past?She slowly shook her head. "I don't know..." She whispered. "I really don't know."She remembered Sean's voice note. "I don't know if I'm worthy of you... I can't imagine my life without you."Fresh tears filled her eyes. What would happen when he found out? Would he think this was their second chance? Would he b
Twenty five minutes later, the convoy entered one of the city's largest private hospitals. Within moments, Shannon was escorted into a private consultation suite. Blood samples were taken, her blood pressure was checked, temperature, heart rate, a urine sample and routine examinations were done, then more blood work.Kennedy remained outside the room throughout the process. He paced the hallway endlessly. Every few seconds he looked toward the consultation room, every few seconds he checked his watch. Grant quietly stood nearby but neither man spoke.Nearly forty five minutes later, the examination room door finally opened. The attending physician stepped outside carrying a tablet. He smiled politely. "Mr. Miles."Kennedy immediately stood. "How is she? Can I see her?"The doctor nodded. "Of course."Kennedy entered immediately.Shannon sat on the examination bed swinging her feet lightly. She looked embarrassed more than anything else. "I told you." She smiled weakly. "I'm probably j
Back in Rowan’s office, the atmosphere had shifted into something strangely calm after their conversation in the hallway.At least for Shannon, because she felt like she had finally managed to reach him a little. Enough to make hope bloom quietly inside her chest again.She stood near his desk now
The guest room was at the end of the hall.Shannon paused at the doorway, her fingers resting lightly against the frame before she stepped in.It used to be a storage room now it was neat, cleaned and prepared.A bed, fresh sheets and a wardrobe that looked barely used.Shannon exhaled slowly and s
The hospital discharged them the next day.Shannon didn’t know whether that was fate or cruelty.She stood just outside the building, her fingers gripping the thin discharge papers in her hand as the sunlight hit her face. Too bright. Like the world hadn’t just ended for her.A few steps ahead Rowa
Shannon’s knees weakened beneath her. Three months of silence. Three months of absence. Three months where she wasn’t there. Her breathing grew uneven. Three months where someone else was. Her gaze slowly shifted back to Rowan. And this time she understood. Rowan watched her, something sharp







