Chapter 197
Chapter 198
VENUS
Hospitals weren’t meant for firsts, but somehow ours kept happening here.
The first time I felt the twins kick against the weight of my fear.
The first time Aaron stirred after weeks of silence.
And now, the first time we named our children.
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The doctors had left, satisfied with Aaron’s early responsiveness. Rosemary sat in the chair on his left, refusing to move, her hands clinging to his like she’d never let go again. I was on his right, holding our son, watching the way Aaron’s gaze kept drifting toward him even through exhaustion. His body was weak, trembling with each breath, but the fire in his eyes… that was untouched.
“They’re beautiful,” he rasped, his voice raw but steady. His hand lifted shakily, fingers twitching toward the small bundle in my arms. I guided our son closer, pressing the tiny weight into his chest.
Aaron cradled him with a care that stole my breath. This was the man who crushed enemies without hesitation, who carried the world on his shoulders with brutal strength and yet he held his son like he was glass.
His
eyes softened, something breaking open inside him as his thumb brushed the baby’s cheek. “He’s so small p>
I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “You should’ve seen them when they were born. Even smaller then. Fighters, just like their father p>
A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. He leaned his head back against the pillow, staring at the baby like he’d finally found the missing piece of himself. Then, with a voice frayed at the edges but firm in its intent, he whispered, “George Anselm Sinclair p>
My breath caught.
He didn’t look at me, just kept his eyes on our son. “After my grandfather. He raised me when my father was too busy destroying everything. The man who taught me how to stand, how to fight… how to love, even when I thought I couldn’t. He’s the reason I found you.” His throat bobbed, his voice breaking. “I want our boy to carry his name p>
Tears blurred my vision, slipping hot down my cheeks. “George Anselm Sinclair,” I repeated softly, bending to press a kiss to the baby’s head. “It’s perfect p>
Aaron’s hand shook as he touched our son’s chest. “George.” He said it like a vow, like a shield.
Beside us, Rosemary was already crying again, muttling her sobs into her hand.
“And her?” Aaron rasped, turning his gaze toward the crib where our daughter stirred, fussing as if she knew she was next. Rosemary rose, her arms trembling as she gathered the tiny girl and brought her over. Aaron’s entire face shifted when he looked at her like every wound, every scar, every betrayal was nothing in the
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Chapter 198
presence of his daughter.
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Iris. The name had sat in my chest for weeks, unspoken, waiting for him. And when Rosemary placed her in his arms, it spilled free without hesitation.
“Iris Rosemary Sinclair,” I whispered.
Aaron’s head turned sharply toward me. His eyes, heavy-lidded but blazing, searched mine.
“For her,” I said simply, nodding toward his mother. “For the woman who never stopped fighting for you. For
us p>
Rosemary’s hand flew to her mouth, a cry tearing free as she shook her head. “Venus p>
“No arguments,” I cut her off gently. “Your name belongs here. In her. Forever p>
Aaron stared down at his daughter, his lips parting like the name had already sunk into his bones. “Iris,” he murmured, reverent. His eyes glistened as he kissed her soft head, his tears mingling with mine. “Iris Rosemary Sinclair p>
That night, under the harsh hospital lights, with machines humming around us and exhaustion threatening to drag us under, we gave our children their names. George and Iris. Our family. Our future.
Aaron’s recovery was slow, brutal, but relentless because that was him. He learned to breathe without the machine. To sit without his body trembling. To walk, one stubborn step at a time, while I held the twins. nearby so he never forgot what he was fighting for.
He was surrounded by love. Connor, Sabine, Gianna, Colton.
Everyone was there for him.
He mourned quietly, though. I saw it. The way his eyes lingered on my swollen ankles in old photos Gianna and Sabine showed him. The way his jaw clenched when I told him about Iris kicking so hard she kept me awake at night, or how George refused to turn until the very end.
One evening, when the house was finally still, I found him sitting in the nursery. The twins were asleep, soft whimpers spilling from their tiny mouths. Aaron sat in the armchair, his head bowed, shoulders shaking.
I knelt in front of him, cupping his face until his eyes met mine.
“You feel like you missed it,” I whispered.
He swallowed hard, his voice barely a rasp. “I should’ve been there. I should’ve been holding your hand when they were born. I should’ve-“His breath caught, his hand gripping the armrest until his knuckles whitened. “I failed you p>
I shook my head fiercely. “No. You’re here now. You’re holding them now. You’re teaching them now. That’s what matters.” I pressed my forehead to his, my tears spilling freely. “Don’t let the past steal what we still have. Please, Aaron. Be here. With us. With me p>
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His hands slid into my hair, pulling me against him with a desperation that left me breathless. “I don’t deserve you,” he choked.
I kissed him until neither of us could breathe. “You’re mine,” I whispered into his mouth. “That’s all that matters p>
Weeks later, Dorian came to the house. He looked thinner, his edges sharpened by responsibility and exhaustion. He held the CEO role longer than he’d ever wanted to, but now that Aaron was walking, talking. reclaiming himself, it was time.
In the study, he handed Aaron the files, his expression unreadable. “It’s yours again. The board’s already been notified p>
Aaron leaned back in his chair, his body still not at full strength but his presence undeniable. He studied Dorian for a long time before speaking. “You did well p>
A flicker of surprise crossed Dorian’s face. Gratitude, too, though he masked it quickly.
Aaron’s eyes hardened. “But don’t mistake this for trust. You carry her blood, her shadow. And I won’t let poison anywhere near my family again p>
Dorian’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Fair.” He hesitated, his gaze flickering toward me where I stood by the door with Iris in my arms. “But I’m not her. Remember that, Aaron. I never was p>
When he left, Aaron’s hand found mine, his grip tight, his eyes stormy.
He’d come to like Dorian like we all do.
Even Sabine gave him a chance.
Richard came last.
He arrived unannounced, his suit rumpled, his face hollowed out by guilt and sleepless nights. He stood at the threshold of our home like a ghost.
Aaron met him in the foyer, George cradled in one arm. His son. His shield.
“Please,” Richard rasped, his eyes wet. “Just five minutes. I need to p>
“No.” Aaron’s voice cut sharp as glass.
Richard flinched, his lips trembling. “I just want to explain. To p>
“You don’t get to explain,” Aaron snapped, his voice rising, his chest heaving. “You had decades. You had every chance. And you squandered them all.” He adjusted George in his arms, holding him tighter. “You don’t get to poison this. Not him. Not her. Not us p>
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Chapter 198
Tears spilled down Richard’s face. “I love you, Aaron p>
Aaron’s eyes blazed, his voice breaking as he snarled, “You don’t get to use that word. Not after everything. Leave. And if you ever come near my family again, I won’t hesitate p>
The door slammed, and for the first time in his life, Richard Sinclair was on the outside looking in.
That night, as the twins slept and the house quieted, Aaron pulled me close. His head rested against my chest, his hand sprawled across my stomach where no life grew now but where our children had once been.
“I thought I lost everything,” he whispered. “But I didn’t. I still have you p>
I tangled my fingers in his hair,kissing the top of his head. “You’ll always have me p>
He shifted, his lips brushing my collarbone. “George. Iris. You. That’s all I’ll ever need p>
And for the first time in a long time, the silence around us wasn’t heavy.
It was whole.
It was home.
The end.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.