OLIVIA
By the time wended back at New Vige, Luke’s men were already waiting for us at the airport. The moment we arrived, Marcus spoke with them outside the car, while I settled inside with the kids. My baby girl was still fast asleep in my arms, and her brother had just started to stir as the ne touched down.
It felt like a lifetime since I had seen them, and the relief of holding them again was overwhelming. Samuel’s <b>eyes </b>fluttered open, and the instant he saw me, his face broke into the brightest smile. My baby. My heart swelled with gratitude, with love, with the simple joy of being reunited. thought I would never see them again, thought the world might take me from them forever. But now, here they were, and I could hug them again, feel their little bodies against mine.
As Marcus climbed into the car next to me, he gently lifted Samuel into hisp. My boy rested his head against his father’s chest, his small, tired frame curling into him as he drifted back to sleep. It had been a long flight, and I could tell he was exhausted, but at least we were home now At least we were safe.
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” I asked softly, ncing up at Marcus as I offered him a small smile. It felt strange to smile again, but it was a relief, a weightlifting from my shoulders. I didn’t care how Marcus hade to be on the ind with us, what mattered was that he was here now with me and with our kids. He had been there when we needed him most, and that was all that mattered.
Back when I had left him, when I had run away in fear, the reasons felt so clear in my mind, so necessary. But now<b>, </b>sitting here beside him, with Samuel in his arms, it all seemed like a distant memory, a blur of confusion that didn’t quite make sense anymore.
The car took a <b>sharp </b>turn, heading down <b>an </b>unfamiliar road, I didn’t ask where we were going, assuming we might be headed to a hotel or somewhere safe for the night. But when the car eventually came <b>to </b>a stop, I was shocked to find ourselves in front of the most beautiful mansion I had ever seen. My breath caught as I stared <b>at </b>the imposing structure, its grand gates and lush gardens that seemed to stretch on forever.
I looked at Marcus, my heart racing with disbelief. “Is this ” I started to ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“It’s our n
<b>new </b>home, my love,” he <b>said</b>, <b>his </b>smile soft and sincere. “I didn’t think you <b>would </b><b>want </b>to go back to the old ce when you returned. I hope you like it.”
His words should <b>have </b>reassured <b>me</b>, but the overwhelming beauty of the house left me speechless. I couldn’t contain the smile that spread <b>across </b>my face, though. I loved it. I loved the idea of this new chapter in our lives. It was everything I had dreamed of and more.
Marcus gently lifted Samuel from hisp and stepped out of the <b>car</b><b>, </b>moving towards the entrance. One of my father’s men opened the door for me and helped me out of the vehicle. As I made my way toward the gate, I noticed another car pull up that I hadn’t seen before. The door opened<b>, </b>and to my surprise, Nick’s mother stepped out.
<b>She </b>offered a tentative smile, the kind that spoke of uncertainty. “I know you might not want me here, Olivia,” she <b>said </b>gently, “but Nick said you and Marcus will need my help. So, I came.”
Her words struck me in an unexpected way. I had always been cautious about her, unsure of her ce in Nick’s life, and in mine. But now… now, I understood. She was here to help, and I knew deep down that she was right. I was still shaken, frightened by everything I had been through. I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to care for the kids, especially with everything that had happened.
I nodded, the gratitude for her presence welling up inside me. “Thank you,” I said, my voice soft. “Your help is much appreciated.”
+25 <b>BONUS </b>
I wasn’t sure if Nick had told her about Samuel being her grandson, but I was grateful all the same. The thought of more help, more support in a time like this, was something I could never turn down.
As we entered the house, I was <b>in </b>awe of the beauty inside. The space was just as stunning as the exterior, with every corner carefully designed<b>, </b>every detail thoughtfully ced. Marcus had done this for <b>us</b>, for our family. I had to admit, he <b>had </b>done a fantastic job.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice full of emotion.
Marcus shook his head, as if dismissing my gratitude. “No need to thank me,” he replied. “You deserve this, Olivia. You deserve this and more. Our family deserves this.
He smiled at me, that tender, loving smile that always made my heart skip a beat. “Come on,” he said<b>, </b>taking my hand. “Let me show you the children’s rooms.”
I followed him upstairs, my feet light with anticipation. We stopped at <b>the </b>first room, Lilly’s room. It was decorated in soft shades of pink, with stuffed animals scattered on the bed and fairy lights twinkling along the walls. It was a room fit for a little princess, and my heart swelled with love for my daughter. This ce was perfect. I had never imagined anything like it
Just as I was about to speak, Marcus’s phone rang. He nced at the screen before answering, his face instantly bing more serious. “Nick?” he asked, his voice low.
I didn’t mean to, but my curiosity got the best of me, and I turned to look at him. I couldn’t hear Nick’s voice on the other end of the line, but I could see Marcus’s expression shift, concern, maybe frustration. Whatever Nick was saying seemed important.
Marcus excused himself and walked a few steps away, his attention now fully on the conversation. I was left standing there, staring at the beautiful <b>room </b>around me, but my mind raced. What was going on? Why was Nick calling now? What had happened while we were gone?
I didn’t know what the future held, but I did know one thing I needed answers. And I needed them now.