Lucien, clutching the purple crayon card, looked up at Sable with wide, shining eyes. "I love it," he said firmly, his quiet voice carrying across the room. "It's my favorite. Thank you, Sable."
The little boy hiccupped against Alina's shoulder, peeking out shyly to see Lucien's smile. His tears slowed, replaced with a tiny, trembling smile of his own.
Even Dante, standing nearby with his arms folded, allowed the faintest softening of his expression as he watched the small boy calm down in Alina's embrace.
Alina still held Sable close, rocking him softly, when a shadow fell over them. She looked up and saw Dante standing there, his expression unreadable but his crimson eyes lingered on Sable with something gentler than usual. Without a word, he reached out his arms.
Alina hesitated for a moment, then carefully passed the small boy into Dante's hold.
