Chapter 206: Anymore
I’m not dead, I think to myself as I sit by the window, sunlight spilling across the wooden floor. My gaze drifts to my son, sitting cross-legged with his wooden toys spread out around him. His little brow furrows in concentration as he carefully stacks one block on top of another, his tiny hands steady and sure. Without Thorne, I didn’t think I would ever feel this okay, let alone happy.
I lean back in the chair, my fingers brushing over the armrest as I watch him. He’s a perfect blend of us, carrying Victor’s dark, unruly mane of black hair but my green eyes and smile. My chest tightens with a warmth that’s both comforting and overwhelming.
The setting sun bathes the room in a golden glow, the kind of light that makes everything feel a little more magical, a little more peaceful. I stretch, my joints popping softly, and just as I stand, I hear it—the unmistakable clippity-clop of hooves approaching.
"Daddy!" my son shouts, his small voice brimming with excitement, and I can’t help but laugh. He knows exactly who’s arrived, as if his little heart has been tuned to Victor’s presence from the moment he was born.
I scoop him up, his giggles infectious, and we move to the window. Together, we watch as Victor dismounts his horse, his polished armor gleaming faintly in the fading light. He carries himself with a quiet strength, the very image of poise and control. No one would ever guess that he was once known as the Mad Dog.
"Daddy!" my son yells again, wriggling in my arms with boundless energy, and I chuckle as I turn from the window. "Alright, let’s go see him."
The stairs creak under our feet as we descend, my son’s anticipation bubbling over in the form of excited squeals and endless fidgeting. I hold him tighter, his warmth pressed against me, and my heart swells at the thought of the life we’ve built.
After two flights of stairs and an anxious, giddy little bundle of energy in my arms, we reach the bottom. Victor is already there, his arms wide open, and our son practically launches himself from me into his embrace. The hall fills with the sound of giggles and soft laughter as Victor spins him around, his deep voice rumbling with affection. Watching them together is a quiet kind of joy. Victor is an amazing father and an even more incredible husband—attentive, caring, and endlessly patient. These past couple of years, despite everything, have been more fulfilling than I ever thought possible.
Victor’s laughter echoes behind me as I leave them to their bonding and head toward the kitchen. Dinner’s already prepared, I’m sure. Nancy’s efficiency leaves me spoiled—I truly don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s more than just a chef or a nanny; she’s the glue that keeps our little home running smoothly.
I glance around the house as I walk, a content smile tugging at my lips. It isn’t a sprawling estate or a cold, impersonal castle, but it’s perfect. A six-bedroom haven: one room for Victor and me, one for our son, two for the staff, and a couple of spares just in case. It’s more than enough. There’s warmth here, something I’d never felt in the grand, empty halls of my childhood home.
Reaching the kitchen, I lift the lid off a pot and inhale the rich, savory aroma of stew. Nancy, as expected, has outdone herself again. I set about warming everything, my mind drifting back to the laughter echoing through the halls.