Chapter 8 - The Baby Who Arrived Before Adrian Was Ready
Their daughter was born at dawn.
A healthy baby girl.
Adrian held her.
He cried.
Naomi had never seen him cry.
Not when his brother died.
Not when the family empire collapsed.
Not even when his mother returned.
But now one tiny hand wrapped around his finger.
He broke.
Naomi watched.
“You okay?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
He laughed through tears.
“She’s perfect.”
“She is.”
“What do we call her?”
Naomi looked at him.
“What do you want?”
Adrian looked at the baby.
“Evelyn.”
Naomi cried.
“Yes.”
Months later, they held a small ceremony.
Not a huge wedding.
They were already married.
Instead, they renewed their vows.
Adrian stood before Naomi.
“I married you because my family needed protection.”
Naomi smiled.
“That sounds romantic.”
“I know.”
He laughed.
“But I fell in love with you because you refused to let me hide behind protection.”
She squeezed his hands.
“You taught me something too.”
“What?”
“That love isn't supposed to feel like a prison.”
Adrian kissed her.
“It shouldn't.”
They looked toward their daughter.
Family had once meant power.
Now it meant responsibility.
Adrian had become a different man.
He no longer carried weapons everywhere.
He no longer kept secrets from Naomi.
He no longer disappeared at night.
May you like
And he never again made decisions about her life without asking.
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