The morning sun filtered through the soaring, curved glass panels of the penthouse conservatory, casting a warm, dappled mosaic of light across the lush indoor garden. Exotic orchids, vibrant ferns, and meticulously manicured emerald hedges lined the perimeter of the glass pavilion, creating a serene, isolated oasis ninety floors above the concrete canyons of Manhattan. The air smelled cleanly of fresh earth, blooming jasmine, and the rich, familiar aroma of Adrian’s morning espresso. In the center of this sun-drenched sanctuary, sprawled across a thick, cream-colored plush sheepskin rug, was little Hayes. The toddler was completely absorbed in his own architectural masterpiece, his small, chubby hands carefully balancing a series of dark mahogany and polished acrylic building blocks. He inherited his father’s striking, deep-set dark eyes and thick, unruly dark hair, though the soft, inquisitive curve of his jaw and his long eyelashes were undeniably Lydia’s. Lydia sat gracefu
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