Chapter 50

Christiana’s POV

I sat on the edge of the hotel bed, the soft comforter beneath me offering little relief from the heaviness in my heart. The room was spacious, elegant even, but it wasn’t home. The kids were playing quietly in the corner, but there was a sadness in their movements, a stiffness that hadn’t been there before. They hadn’t been the same since the fire.

“Mommy, when can we go back home?” Emma’s small voice broke the silence, her wide eyes searching mine with confusion and fear. Ethan stood beside her, holding onto her hand like it was the only thing grounding him to reality.

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that I hoped would reassure them. “Soon, sweetheart,” I said, my voice soft, as I leaned forward to brush a strand of hair out of her face. “But for now, we’re going to stay here, where it’s safe. We’ll make this our little adventure, okay?”

“But what if the bad people come back?” Ethan asked, his voice trembling. His eyes were filled with the kind of fear that ΠΟ child should ever have to know. My heart broke seeing it, and I wanted to say something that would make it all go away, but the truth was, I didn’t have all the answers.

I reached out, pulling them both into a tight hug. “No one is going to hurt us,” I promised, holding them close. “I’m here, and I’m going to protect you with everything I have. And we have the best people watching over us. We’re safe now.”

They clung to me, their small bodies shaking with the remnants of their fear. I could feel Emma’s tears soaking into my shirt, and I stroked her back gently, whispering soothing words, even as my own heart ached.

“We’re strong, aren’t we?” I whispered, leaning back to look at them, my hands cupping their faces. “We’ve been through so much, but we’re still standing. That’s because we’re a team, and as long as we stick together, nothing can break us. Do you hear

me?”

Emma nodded slowly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Ethan took a deep breath and tried to put on a brave face, though the fear still lingered in his eyes.

“I know it’s hard right now,” I continued, my voice as steady as I could make it. “But we’re going to get through this. And when this is all over, we’ll have a new place to call home, and it’ll be even better than before. But for now, I need you both to be strong for me, okay? Can you do that?”

and I felt a surge of relief, even though I knew the road ahead was still long and uncertain. I kissed the tops of their heads, savoring the

“Now, why don’t we order something special for dinner? You can have anything

in days, I saw a spark of excitement in

voice more animated. “And

I laughed, ruffling his hair. “Pizza

phone to place the order, their

my still–healing ankle, the weight of everything came crashing back. The fire had

safe, and that was all that mattered. No amount of money could replace what had been taken, but I had the means to start over, and I would

planning our next move. A penthouse, maybe, or somewhere even safer, where I could watch over them, where they would never have to fear the dark again.

are you okay?” Emma’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was watching me, her big

Chapter 50

I could muster. “Just

two.”

worry fading from her face. “We’re lucky to have you too.

Ethan jumped up to get it, and I leaned back, allowing myself a moment to breathe. Things were out of place, yes, and the future was uncertain, but as long as I had them, I knew we would be

tried to tear us apart. And no matter what came next, I would make sure they were

silence fell over the room. I watched them, my heart warming at how they were starting to relax after everything that had happened. But

serious for a child his age.

“Ethan, sweetheart, your dad knows where we are. He’s just.. handling things right now.”

to see him. He wasn’t

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