In a matter of days, Nicole couldn't help but wonder what made her immortal? She had painted endlessly, Vincent and Juliet resting in their cribs beside her. She wanted to cherish every moment with them as if it could be the last.
Her eyes drifted to the corner of the room where several darker paintings leaned against the wall, remnants of when the duchess had seized her mind. The destructive strokes unsettled her. Though Jasper had assured her not to worry, Nicole feared the duchess was far more powerful than either of them realized.
The door creaked open. Jasper stepped in, his expression softening when he saw her painting. He lifted Juliet and Vincent, pressing gentle kisses against their tiny foreheads. A maid entered and took the babies away, the door clicking shut behind her. Jasper crossed the room, placing a hand on Nicole's shoulder. She looked up at him with a smile, but to her surprise, he knelt down before her.
