Daphne's POV The Havenport house had become our home, its cozy rooms filled with the twins’ laughter and the smell of Brittany’s cooking. Six months had passed since our vow renewal, and my pregnancy was showing, a gentle curve under my loose dresses that made the twins giggle when they felt the baby kick.One evening, as we sat in the living room, the twins coloring at the table, Oliver looked at me, his face lit with an idea.“I’ve been thinking,” he said, his voice warm, setting down his coffee. “We need a family trip, somewhere fun, to make new memories. Just us, the twins, Brittany.”I smiled, my heart lifting, the thought of a getaway sparking joy. “Where?” I said, leaning forward, my voice curious.“A beach house,” he said, his eyes bright. “A few hours away, right on the coast. The twins can play in the sand, we can relax. What do you think?”I nodded, my throat tight, my voice soft. “I’d love that,” I said. “They’d go wild for the beach.”Brittany walked in, her hands full o
Daphne's POV Agnes, my adoptive mother, stood in the garden, her face bright, her body strong. She’d been sick for months after her kidney transplant, frail and tired when I’d last seen her, but now she looked healthy, her smile wide, her arms open.“Mum?” I said, my voice breaking, tears streaming as I ran to her, hugging her tight. “You’re here. You’re okay.”She held me, her voice choked, her hands warm on my back. “I’m here, sweetheart,” she said. “Thanks to Oliver. I’m better now.”I pulled back, my eyes wet, looking at Oliver, my voice trembling. “You did this?” I said, my heart full.He nodded, his voice soft. “After she was discharged,” he said, “I sent money for her care, hired people to help. I wanted her here, for you, for today.”I sobbed, hugging him, my voice choked. “Thank you,” I said, my words muffled against his chest. “I can’t believe you did this.”Agnes smiled, her eyes wet, and hugged me again, her voice warm. “I’m so proud of you,” she said. “You’re a good woma
Daphne's POV The new house in Havenport was buzzing with quiet excitement, the air filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the twins’ chatter as we prepared for the vow renewal. Four days from now, Oliver and I would stand together, reaffirming our commitment, a moment to solidify our love after everything we’d faced. We’d invited Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, who were flying in from Scotland, eager to see the twins and be part of this new chapter. I stood in the living room, folding napkins for the small ceremony we’d planned in the garden, my heart full but nervous, the weight of the moment settling in.Oliver walked in, his shirt sleeves rolled up, a stack of chairs in his arms for the backyard setup. “You okay?” he said, setting them down, his voice warm, his eyes meeting mine.I nodded, smiling, my hands stilling on the napkins. “Just thinking,” I said, my voice soft. “This feels big, Oliver. A new start, with everyone here.”He stepped closer, his hand on mine, his voice steady.
Daphne's POV The new house in Havenport smelled of fresh paint and sea air, a cozy two-story place with a garden out back where the twins could play. We’d moved in three days ago, the boxes still stacked in corners, but the living room already felt like ours, with the twins’ drawings taped to the fridge and Brittany’s coffee mug on the counter.Oliver was unloading dishes in the kitchen, his sleeves rolled up, while the twins ran outside, their laughter echoing through the open window. I stood in the upstairs bedroom, unpacking a box labeled “Daphne’s Stuff,” my hands moving slowly, my heart heavy but hopeful. This move was our fresh start, a chance to build something new for Dahlia, Delilah, Oliver, Brittany, and me.I pulled out a pair of worn ballet shoes, the leather soft and scuffed, and my breath caught. They weren’t mine—they were Daisy’s, from years ago when we danced together as kids. I’d packed them without thinking, a piece of her I couldn’t leave behind.My fingers traced
Daphne's POV I set my coffee down, my hands steady but my heart racing, and walked to the kitchen, my voice soft. “Oliver,” I said, leaning against the counter, “I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should move, leave Willowbrook. Start over somewhere else.”He looked up, his eyes meeting mine, his voice calm. “You mean relocate?” he said, setting the papers down. “A new house, a new town?”I nodded, my throat tight, my voice low. “This place,” I said, “it’s too much. Every room, every street, reminds me of everything. The twins need a fresh start, and so do we.”He leaned back, his hands on the counter, his face thoughtful. “I’ve been thinking the same,” he said, his voice steady. “Somewhere quieter, maybe closer to the coast. A place where the twins can grow up, where we can breathe.”I smiled, small but real, relief washing over me. “You’re okay with it?” I said, my voice soft. “Leaving the studio, your work here?”He nodded, his hand reaching for mine. “The studio’s important,” he said,
Daphne's POV I sat on the couch in Willowbrook, a blanket over my legs, my hands wrapped around a mug of tea that had gone cold. I’d been home for two days since Oliver rescued me from that old house, his security team and the police storming in just in time. The fear of that moment, Jade’s accusations that I’d killed Daisy and stolen her life, mixed with the guilt I already carried for my sister’s death and Xavier’s accidental shooting. I’d never felt so shaken, but Oliver’s arms, Brittany’s presence, kept me grounded.I hadn’t gone back to the ballet studio, not yet, the fear of being watched too raw after Jade’s betrayal. Her words—calling me a gold-digger, a thief who took Daisy’s twins, her stage, her husband—cut deep, even though I knew they weren’t true.Oliver walked in, his face tired but warm, and sat beside me, his hand on mine. “You okay?” he said, his voice soft, his eyes searching mine.I nodded, my throat tight, managing a small smile. “Getting there,” I said, my voice