Chapter 35
“But she’s my Mommy p>
Shay’s said it again—louder and more forceful.
“You can’t take her away from me p>
The words cracked through the lawn like a gunshot.
Conversations died mid-sentence. Wine glasses hovered halfway to lips. Laughter collapsed into silence.
Every head turned. First to the child. Then to Ares, who held her against his chest.
Leonard Norse’s fifty-third birthday wasn’t just a party—it was a quiet battlefield.
Half the city’s power players were there.
High-ranking military officers. The old rich. The nouveau riche. Politicians with shark smiles and daughters dressed like investments. Every family hoping to weave themselves into the Norse or Zuvel bloodlines through marriage, alliance, or leverage.
Everyone knew the truth.
The Norses and the Zuvels weren’t just friends.
They were a dynasty stitched together by decades of favors, contracts, and marriage alliances.
Ares’ uncle had married Leonard’s sister.
Power marrying power.
Tonight was networking disguised as a celebration.
And Shay had just detonated a scandal in the middle of it.
Near the VIP tables, Natalie Fereza froze. Daughter of City Mayor Rodrigo Fereza, polished and calculating. Raised to smell opportunity—and weakness—from a mile away.
Beside her, Layla’s fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass.
Crack.
A faint fracture line appeared in the glass.
“What does she mean by that?” Natalie hissed. “Did Ares marry her in secret p>
“I heard from Liam she’s hired help,” Layla muttered, eyes locked on Lara. “A governess p>
“What? People still have those? I only read about a governess in novels,” the vice mayor’s daughter asked incredulously.
Natalie scoffed. “It’s just a dignified word for nanny p>
Her gaze slid toward Sarah.
“See the other one in black? That’s the child’s nanny. The dress, probably their uniform for this kind of occasion p>
A smirk spread across her lips. Mean. Satisfied.
“So that’s why they dress alike,” another socialite murmured.
Their whispers slithered through the air. It was not loud but sharp, designed to cut.
Natalie opened her mouth to add another insult—
But then Ares spoke. Only one sentence, but deep and controlled.
The kind of voice that didn’t need to be loud to command silence.
“Shay, stop your nonsense p>
Instantly, the air tightened. The message was clear. Stop ruining her reputation.
“But Mommy said I can call her that whenever I want,” Shay insisted, cheeks puffed. “We made a pinky promise p>
A few guests exchanged looks. Some amused. Some judging.
Some already filing the information away for future gossip.
Ares pressed his lips thin.
“Don’t mind her,” he said, louder this time, addressing everyone. “She’s just a child. She misses her mother p>
Understanding rippled through the crowd.
Or at least, convenient acceptance.
“Ahhh,” Natalie sighed, visibly relieved. “So that’s it p>
Layla shot Lara a look full of naked disdain.
Just the nanny. Know your place.
Shay, unconvinced, squirmed out of Ares’ arms the moment he loosened his hold.
The instant her shoes hit the grass, she ran straight to Lara and threw herself into her.
Lara barely had time to brace before small arms wrapped tight around her waist, like she was an anchor p>
Like she was home.
The adults nearby exchanged helpless looks.
Madeline sighed softly.
“Shay, sweetheart,” she called gently, “come sit with Grandma p>
Shay knew her well. The Norse mansion wasn’t new territory. She’d grown up wandering the mansion whenever Ares attended events.
Madeline had always kept a candy in her purse and always offered warm hugs.
Sarah pulled out a chair and helped Shay climb up beside the general’s wife.
Madeline leaned close and whispered something only the child could hear.
“Even if Larissa becomes my daughter,” she murmured, “she’s still your Mommy if you want her to be. We’re not stealing her away. In fact, I would love that too p>
“Really?” Shay’s eyes lit up, hopeful and bright.
“Have I ever lied to you p>
Shay thought hard.
Then shook her head.
“Never, Grandma Addie p>
Lara watched all of it quietly. Her mind was spinning.
Adoption. Family. A surname — the Norse Legacy at my disposal.
None of it made sense.
Why me? If this is guilt… If this is charity… They didn’t have to go this far.
And yet—
The way Madeline looked at her…It didn’t feel like an obligation. It felt like something else. Something deeper. Something almost like love.
And that touched her more than anything.
“Lara, come. Let me introduce you to some friends p>
Logan’s voice cut clean through her spiraling thoughts.
She blinked and nodded.
“Behave, okay?” she murmured to Shay, smoothing the girl’s hair.
Shay gave a dramatic sigh like the world was unfair, but nodded anyway.
Lara glanced at Sarah.
Sarah returned the look with a polite smile.
Why are you looking at me like that? Of course, I’ll watch her.
The smile stayed sweet. Her eyes didn’t.
Logan gently guided Lara away from his mother’s table and into the crowd.
His circle was mostly military. Men with broad shoulders, stiff posture, disciplined laughter. Men who smelled like sweat, gun powder, and ambition.
But there were a few outliers. College classmates who were looser, louder and stylish.
One of them—his college best friend—was now some rising name in the entertainment industry, and Lara suspected that was where Logan got his carefree streak. He moved like someone who didn’t feel the weight of his family name crushing his spine.
Like he could still breathe.
They hadn’t taken five steps when another stir rippled through the entrance.
This time softer, but heavier.
“Lucas p>
Madeline stood so quickly her chair almost fell.
She crossed the lawn and wrapped her arms around a young man in a black polo and blue jeans. His attire was casual. Too casual for a party like this.
And yet—
No one mistook him for anything less than important.
Money and power didn’t need to dress up. It just existed.
“Mom,” he laughed softly. “You’re crushing me p>
“You made it,” she said, like she’d been holding her breath all evening.
“Where’s Dad p>
“In the study,” she sighed. ” You know your Dad! When there is an opportunity, he would talk strategy p>
Lucas chuckled like he’d heard that a thousand times.
Beside him stood a woman in a flowing white dress. Tall. Slim. Ethereal. The kind of beauty that looked fragile on purpose.
“Summer, you came too,” Madeline greeted.
Summer smiled. It was sweet. Perfect. Almost rehearsed.
“How are you, Auntie p>
Her voice was like gentle silk. Too gentle.
“I should be asking you,” Madeline fussed. “You just traveled. You should be resting p>
Lara only meant to glance over.
Her eyes landed on Summer first.
Something about her didn’t sit right. The smile stayed frozen a second too long. Her gaze kept drifting—searching the crowd, looking for someone.
Lara followed the line of sight.
It was Liam at the buffet, standing stiffly beside a woman in a peach dress.
Ah. So that’s it. She is interested in him.
Lara looked away.
Then—
Her eyes found Lucas.
And she froze.