Chapter 163

SAGE

The bright lights of the carnival glowed like a dream against the night sky, casting a warm, golden hue over everything in sight. The air was filled with the scent of buttery popcorn, sweet cotton candy, and the distant sizzle of frying dough. Laughter and excited screams from the nearby rides blended into the music playing from the carousel, creating an atmosphere of pure magic.

We had completely lost track of time.

Harper and Cooper were running ahead, their small hands clutching onto colorful balloons while their giggles echoed through the cool evening breeze. Their excitement was contagious, and before I knew it, I found myself letting go of my worries, even if just for a little while.

“I think you just set a record for riding the Ferris wheel the most times in one night,” I teased as Harper tugged me towards another game stall.

“It’s my favorite!” she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes. “Everything looks so pretty from up there!”

Titus chuckled beside me, shaking his head. “It’s a miracle you’re not dizzy yet.”

Cooper, standing by his side, smirked. “She’s dizzy in the head every day, so it doesn’t count.”

Harper gasped dramatically, her little hands on her hips. “Take that back!”

Cooper simply stuck his tongue out before turning back toward Titus. “Let’s go to the shooting booth! You said you were good at it, right? Prove it!”

Titus smirked, ruffling Cooper’s hair. “Oh, you’re challenging me now? Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”

I stood back, watching as Titus effortlessly won round after round, handing his prizes to the kids. Harper hugged a giant stuffed bear tightly, while Cooper now had a toy sword strapped to his waist. Their excitement only grew with each win, and I could see the way they gravitated towards him so easily, as if they had known him forever.

For years, I had worked so hard to keep them away from him. To keep them safe. But now, as I watched them laugh and play together, I couldn’t help but wonder, had I been wrong?

“Are you alright?” Titus’s deep voice broke through my thoughts.

I blinked up at him, realizing he had closed the distance between us, his gaze filled with curiosity.

forcing a smile.

for a moment before nodding. “Come on. Let’s go one more round on the carousel before we call it

and Cooper cheered in excitement, running

his grip firm yet gentle.

first time in years, I let myself do just that. Even

Mister!” Harper giggled, tugging on Titus’s hand as she pointed at the

“Alright, alright. But only if Sage rides with

pleading eyes. “Please?

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4 Mar

Chapter 163

say

of my horse while sneaking glances at Titus, who sat between Harper and Cooper, his hands steadying them

fleeting moment, I let myself imagine that it was

cotton candy, and more rides. Time slipped away faster than I realized, and before I knew it, the crowd around us had

back,” I finally said, checking the time on my phone.

pouted but didn’t argue, their energy finally starting to

had been fighting off sleep

curiosity flickering in his gaze, only

A silent request.

he bent down and scooped her

Harper let out a small sigh of contentment, nestling her face into the crook of his neck. Within seconds, her tiny breaths

me, my heart

She trusted him.

in

swallowed hard and turned to check on Cooper, who trudged

you want me to carry you,

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