Free Web NovelChapter 99: Chapter 99
Nathan’s POV
"Dossier?" Collins lifted it, a spark in his eyes. "Alpha Nathan, the chief lawyer can access all the company dossiers. What about Ms. Sophia Darvin—"
I gave him a look that could curdle blood.
He shut up fast and grinned awkwardly. "Got it."
As expected of my personal assistant, quick on the uptake.
He scurried out of the office without another word.
Silence settled in the room.
I stared at the mountain of documents on my desk, but my hand wasn’t touching any of them.
Then, out of nowhere, I unlocked my phone.
A new photo from Florence.
In the picture, Aria sat on a courtyard swing, gently rocking.
She was holding Lana. Her side profile was soft, wisps of hair falling across her cheek. She looked so peaceful and beautiful.
Something tightened in my chest, sharp and unexpected.
My eyes stayed glued to the screen.
Was there something we missed a year ago?
Because the woman in that photo didn’t look like a traitor.
She looked wronged.
A memory flashed—Aria standing in the Hemsworth Group lobby.
Her spine straight even while her world was collapsing. Pitiful, but unbreakable.
Our marriage had been arranged, nothing romantic about it.
Even after the wedding, I kept my distance, sharp words and cold walls.
And yet—
Right now, all I wanted to do was protect her and her baby without knowing why.
Now my thoughts were a snarl. My gaze drifted to the child in her arms again.
I had tried to investigate, but the only thing I knew was that the baby was born while she was in prison.
Who was the father?
What happened to her in there?
Why did everything feel wrong?
Aria’s POV
I sneezed and rubbed my nose and muttered under my breath,
"Great. Someone’s probably talking trash about me."
Lana shifted in my arms, tiny but full of life. She’d just finished her milk, and now her little limbs were buzzing with energy like she’d absorbed the whole moon.
Her wide eyes stared up at me, bright and curious, fingers tugging insistently at mine.
My wolf softened instantly. Mother instincts came far too naturally for someone who’d never imagined having a child.
Florence walked in, wiping sweat from her forehead.
My eyes lit up. "You’re done with your stuff?"
"Yeah," she said, beaming. "The weather’s been great, so rentals are flying. Young folks love this area—most of the apartments got taken pretty fast."
I nodded, piecing together about half of what she meant. City life still felt strange compared to... everything before. Wordlessly, I handed her a tissue.
She smiled warmly, and something in her eyes softened even more, like she was looking at more than just a tenant.
Noticing Lana kicking like a little wolf pup testing her legs, Florence chuckled.
"Is the little one being naughty?"
She leaned closer, then gave a knowing grin.
"Kids at this age are full of beans. She’s probably bored. There’s a lovely park nearby. Lots of moms take their children there—you could bring Lana and swap tips."
I lowered my gaze to Lana.
She blinked up at me with those impossibly bright eyes and broke into a grin so big it melted something inside me I thought was long frozen.
"Sure," I murmured, smiling back.
Then Florence suddenly gasped like an idea had pounced on her. She hurried off and returned rolling a baby stroller toward us.
"My daughter sent this ages ago. It’s just collecting dust. What a waste, why don’t we let Lana have a little ride?"
I hesitated, guilt tugging at my chest.
"I already feel like I’m imposing, staying in such a lovely place. I can’t possibly take—"
Florence cut me off instantly.
"My daughter barely visits with her kid. The stroller’s doing nothing but taking up space. At my age, I hate seeing things go to waste."
Her kindness hit me harder than expected.
I finally gave in, nodding gratefully.
The second I agreed, Florence’s face lit up like a festival lantern.
"Come on! Put the baby in and see what she thinks. It’s Lana’s decision, not yours."
I couldn’t help a tiny laugh.
I placed a soft cushion inside and gently settled Lana into the stroller.
The moment I started pushing, her eyes widened with wonder, and she burst into delighted giggles, sound so pure it made my heart ache.
"See? She loves it. Tell your mom to keep it," Florence said, taking Lana’s flailing fingers, her smile warm as spring sunlight.
A smile stretched across my face before I realized it—but then something flickered in my chest, a momentary daze.
How perfect this felt.
If Kate were still here...
Would she have cooed over Lana like this?
Would she have teased me for being so soft?
The thought hit like claws to the heart. freeweɓnovel.cøm
"Hey, dear?" Florence waved a hand in front of my face.
My eyelashes fluttered, and I forced myself back into the present.
"It’s nothing," I said with a small smile. "You just remind me of someone really close to me."
The moment Florence saw my eyes fill, she let out a soft sigh.
"Then consider me your family from now on," she murmured.
Family.
The word hit harder than I expected, like a warm hand pressed gently over a bruise. My wolf stirred inside me, stretching, unsure whether to lean into the comfort or retreat.
Remembering something, Florence added, "This is a posh neighborhood. That park is like their private playground, and some of these folks look down on outsiders. You gotta be careful with Lana."
