Chapter 397
” in its es said softly. We know, Mom lost Did he now He wants to help. He wants to make up for everything.
Adam’s fingers leished tienes, and when the didn’t pull away, he carefully took her hand. Give me a chance, forme Let me be who you and the kide truly need me to he
The atmosphere in the room treed to soften. Jouph smiled at his great grandchildrens mediation” and mom Brandon hand to admit the power of these three little negotiators was impressive.
time. Healing
Tair enough.” Alex declared, then announced. Tamily meeting adjourned. When beingry?|||
A few hours later, their surprisinch enjoyable family dinner stapped up. The atmosphere wasn t completely refrend, but noticeably warmer than before. Brandon even exchanged a few civil words with Adam about business, while Wesley played social butterfly, chatting about his latest art protects
As bedtime approached, the kids scampered off to brush their teeth. Irene and Joseph settled in the living room while Adam prepared to head back to her
tan,” Joseph said suddenly. “Rain’s coming tonight. The kids will sleep better knowing you’re both here.”
Adam glanced at trene, hesitant.
test room’s ready.”
“It’s fine,” she said softly. The guest room’s
Just past midnight, a vicious crack of thunder split the sky. There screaming children bolted into Irene’s bedroom
“Momma, il a scary!” Lily walled, diving under the covers.
“I’m not scared,” Lucas insisted, eyes squeezed shut against the flashes outside
Ales struggled to control his trembling chin. “It’s just atmospheric pressure creating electrical discharge. Nothing to fear.”
Irene gathered all three into her arms. “You’re safe, habies. Mam’s right here.”
Another thunderclap boomed, even louder, making the trio shriek in unison.
“I want Daddy,” Lily sniffled. “Can he come
Before Irene could answer, Adam apprated in the doorway, hair rumpled from sleep. “Everything okay? I heard screaming.”
“Thunder,” Lucas explained, his voice betraying the fear beneath his brave front. “Really loud thunder.”
Adam stepped into the room without hesitation. Room for refocoments?
lene paused for a beat, then nodded slightly. Adam sad onto the opposite side of the bed, and the children immediately wedged themselves between their parents, forming a protective circle.
“Dad,” Alex whispered, “you’ll protect us, right? Efen if lightning strikes?”
“Absolutely,” Adam answered tenderly. “Nothing can hurt you when your mom and I are hepe
bene’s eyes met Adam’s across the pillows, layers of complicated nations flowing between them. Without words, they both understood–for these three ……… childern, they would weather any storm,
Gradually, the thunder retreated, and
children drifted off in their parents embrace. Only steady breathing and soft moonlight remained, spilling over
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Chapter 397
This broken thon–mended tonily.
bene and Adam stayed awake, paring at mich other over their sleeping children, silently communicating things too complex for words:
“Thank you,‘ bene whispered, lai tonight. For thein ”
Adam nodded slightly. “Always, free. For them, and for you too, if you’ll let me
In the darkness, tears slipped dosen fiene’s cheeks, but this time, mingled with the pain was a flicker of hoge
Deep into the night, with thunder now distant, only steady breathing filled the room. Irene opened her eyes to find herself somehow curled against Adam’s side. His arm tested lightly atmund her waist, their three children sleeping peacefully between them, frees serene in the moonlight.
She carefully sat up, taking in this impossible picture–her, Adam, and their children sharing a hed like any normal family. The scene was so perfect it made
her chest ache.
Her doctor’s instinct noticed Adams leg positioned awkwardly. She gently lifted the blanket corner, her professional gaze assessing his muscirs and joints. His thin–soaked sprint should have seriously set back his recovery, but surprisingly, aside from minor swelling, there was no significant damage.
“Quite the miracle,” she murmured, fingertips lightly touching
the muscle at his knee. “You’re full of surprises.”
Adam stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Irene studied his face–the once–faceless stranger–shed cursed a thousand times in nightmares, now the man she Couldn’t admit she loved
Contradictions battled fiercely inside her: six years of anger versus months of falling in love, bittemess about the past versus hope for the future. professional detachment versus womanly vulnerability.
I need to think,” she told herself “Need to be alone.”
She gently stroked each child’s hair, overwhelmed with tenderness. These little lives were her everything, the only constant truth in her world. Whatever complications existed between her and Adam, these three children would always be the love they created together.
Irene slipped silently from the bedside, heading to her study. She switched on the desk lamp, took out paper and pen, and began writing her thoughts.
“Dear family,” she wrote.
- e. his arm draped
Morning light filtered through the curtain gaps as Adam slowly opened his eyes. Somehow during the night, he and Irene had drifted closer, gently around her waist, her head nearly resting on his shoulder. The three children curled between them like kittens, breathing evenly.
This was the picture hed dreamed of his family, safely summunding him. The missing piece from the last six years, finally complete.
He carefully propped himself up, gazing at Irene’s sleeping face. Sunlight traced her features with gold, making her look soft and peaceful, worlds away from yesterday’s pain.
This is verything I want, he thought, feeling oddly content.
He slipped quietly from the bed, deciding to make breakfast for everyone. After all, this was their first morning as a family.
In the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator, pulling out eggs, bacon, and various ingredients. While he wasn’t as skilled as Thomas in cooling, he felt confident he could manage a decent breakfast.
“Si?” Thomas appeared in the doorway, looking relieved. “I was concerned when you didn’t return
“Everything a fine, Thomas,” Adam smiled. “Better than fine, actually. I need you to push back my schedule. I’m not going anywhere today.
Thomas nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes. ‘Of course, sir. Need help with breakfast?”
“No, I want to do this myself,” Adam said, gölling upʻhis sleeves. “It’s a special day.”
Meanwhile, in the bedroom, the triplets woke one after another, finding only their mother beside the
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Chapter 397
“Where’s Dad? Lily asked, rubbing her ryes
Alex sniffed the air. ‘Smells like… hacen living?”
The children jumped out of bed, racing toward the kitchen, delighted to find Adam
r there, the table already set with fried eggs, bacon, finest, and find!”
“Dad!” They cheered, rushing toward him
Adam flipped the last piece of bacon before turning to epbrace them. “Good morning, munchkina, Sleep well?
“Uh–huh,” Lucas nodded, “Wasn’t scared at all with you and Mom there.”
“Is Mom still sleeping?” Adam asked,
- peuting coffee beans into the grinder.
Alex shook his head. “She was awake when we left. Said she wanted a shower.
“Mom looks different,” Lily observed, “Like… not so sad anymore.”
Adam smiled, pouring orange juice into three small glasses, “Sometimes pain takes time to fade, like wounds slowly healing.”
“Does that mean you re
back together?” Lucas asked eagerly
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