Chapter 5: Kids as Cupids

The Blackwood Mansion, which had always been quiet, and empty, suddenly came alive with noise, and laughter. Within hours, toys were scattered across the floors, tiny shoes lined the entrance, and the smell of home-cooked food.

Draven stood at the top of the grand staircase, watching the scene unfold below with an expression of utter bewilderment.

"Mommy, catch me!" Luna squealed, running down the hallway in her pink socks, sliding across the floor.

"Be careful, baby, don't slip!" Belle laughed, chasing after her.

Leo and Aiden were already busy. They had dragged a small table near the huge window and were setting up their laptops, looking like miniature businessmen.

"Daddy!" Leo spotted Draven and waved enthusiastically. "Come look! I’m showing Aiden how to hack the security system of this house! It’s really advanced, but I cracked the code in five minutes!"

Draven's eyes widened. "You what?"

He walked down the stairs, feeling completely out of his depth but strangely intrigued. He sat on the sofa, and immediately, Luna climbed onto his lap, curling up like a kitten.

"Daddy, your house is big," she mumbled, playing with the buttons on his shirt. "But it’s lonely. It needs more toys, pictures and love!"

Draven held her small body against his chest, his heart swollen. "We will get whatever you want. Anything."

Dinner time was the biggest shock of all. Belle cooked a simple but delicious meal, and the five of them sat around the massive dining table that Draven had previously eaten at alone.

"So, Daddy," Leo started, cutting his steak with surprising precision. "Do you like Mommy?"

Draven nearly choked on his water. He glanced at Belle, who was blushing furiously and staring intently at her plate.

"Leo, don't ask questions like that," she scolded gently.

"Why not?" Aiden chimed in, pushing his glasses up. "It’s a logical inquiry. Statistics show that children thrive best when their parents have a positive emotional bond."

Draven set down his fork, looking at the three pairs of identical eyes staring at him expectantly. He cleared his throat.

"I... I think your mommy is very special," he said slowly.

"She is!" Luna piped up. "She sings to us when we are sick. And she works very hard. But sometimes, I hear her cry at night when she thinks we are asleep."

Draven froze. His head snapped toward Belle. "You cry?"

Belle looked down, her cheeks burning. "It’s nothing. Just tiredness. Sometimes it’s hard doing everything alone."

The table went silent. Draven felt a sharp pang in his chest. She had been suffering. She had carried the burden alone while he lived his life in luxury, unaware.

"You are not alone anymore," he said firmly, reaching across the table and covering her hand with his large one. His touch was warm and firm. "I am here now."

Belle looked up, her eyes met his. For a moment, the anger and the tension were gone, replaced by a deep connection.

The children were watching. And they were plotting.

That night, after Belle had put them to bed in the huge guest rooms Draven had prepared, the triplets whispered to each other in the dark.

"Plan A is working," Leo whispered. "Daddy held Mommy's hand."

"We need to make them kiss," Luna said excitedly. "Like in the movies."

"Step by step," Aiden said wisely. "First, we need to get them to spend more time together. Tomorrow, we will ask Daddy to play with us. Mommy will have to join."

The next morning, the matchmakers went to work.

"Daddy! Daddy!" They dragged Draven into the garden. "Play hide and seek!"

"Okay," Draven agreed, a rare genuine smile on his face. "But who is seeking?"

"You count!" Luna shouted. "And Mommy has to hide with us!"

They pulled Belle into the game. Draven counted loudly, his voice boom. "One... two... three..."

Belle hid with the kids behind a large hedge, giggling. "Shhh, be quiet!"

Suddenly, Draven appeared around the corner. He didn't look at the kids. His eyes were locked on Belle.

"Found you," he said softly.

He didn't move away. He stood very close, looking down at her. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, making her look ethereal.

"You are beautiful when you smile, Belle," he whispered. "Why did you hide from me for so long?"

Belle's breath hitched. "I... I was afraid."

"Don't be," he murmured, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers grazed her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.

"Ew! Gross!" Leo shouted, breaking the moment. "You are supposed to find us, not stare at Mommy!"

Draven chuckled, a deep, rich sound, and pulled back, but his eyes never left hers.

Over the next few days, the ice between them melted completely. Draven watched Belle with the children. He saw her patience, her kindness, her strength. He realized that the woman he had spent one night with was even more amazing than he remembered.

And Belle saw a different side of Draven too. He wasn't the cold, ruthless CEO at home. He was clumsy but trying hard. He read them bedtime stories, he bought them everything they wanted, and he looked at her with a warmth that made her heart flutter.

One evening, Belle was sitting on the terrace, looking at the stars, feeling overwhelmed by how fast everything was changing.

Draven walked out and sat beside her. He didn't say anything at first, just handed her a glass of warm milk.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Belle," he started, his voice is serious. "I know I was angry. I know I demanded you stay here. But... I am glad you are here. My life was empty before."

She looked at him. "Draven..."

"I want to be a part of this family," he said, turning to face her. He reached for her hand again, holding it tightly. "Not just for the kids. For you too."

Just as Belle's heart began to open fully, and she leaned in slightly, hoping for more, the sound of a car screeching to a halt at the front gates shattered the peaceful night.

Draven's phone rang sharply. He picked it up, his expression instantly turning dark and hard.

"What is it?" he listened for a moment, then his eyes narrowed dangerously. He looked at Belle.

"It seems," Draven said grimly, "that someone isn't happy we are together. Someone is here... and they want to take you away from me."