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LUCIAN POV
I carried Cherry back inside, her little arms still wrapped around my neck.
"Cherry," Mirabel breathed as she rushed forward, gathering her daughter into her arms. "I'm so sorry, baby. I didn't mean to hurt you with what I said."
"It's okay, Mum. I respect your decision. Honestly… this is the best birthday gift I've ever gotten. Seeing my dad." She smiled, innocent and bright.
Those words pierced straight through me, softening something I hadn't even realized was clenched tight in my chest. I smiled back at her, the weight of her acceptance hitting harder than anything I'd faced in years.
"What about you, Charlie?" Mirabel asked carefully.
He glanced at me over his plate. "If my sister's happy, then I'm fine too." He kept eating, calm and unreadable, while I could only admire his quiet strength.
When we finished dinner, we walked to the beach together. Cherry took off running, shrieking with laughter, and Mirabel told Charlie to follow her. He sighed but picked up his pace. I stayed behind with Mirabel, the salty breeze tugging strands of her hair loose.
"For their surprise birthday party," she said softly, handing me an envelope. "Here's your invite. The location's written there. Give it to your butler if you don't know the way."
"Of course," I said with a smile. Our fingers brushed as I took the card, a spark of heat running straight through me.
"So…" she hesitated, her eyes fixed on the waves. "Who are you dating? I know it isn't my place, but… the kids seemed confused. And I don't want them mistreated."
I stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "You don't have to worry about that."
"As their father, I think I do," she whispered, her voice tight. "If they were with me, wouldn't you want to know who I was with?"
Her head lowered, almost ashamed. Jealousy—whether she admitted it or not—was written all over her.
"Is she really your fiancée?" she asked, her tone barely above the crash of the tide.
I let out a slow breath, studying her face. "No. She isn't. I already have someone I love, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that. Not even her."
A flush crept into her cheeks as her eyes darted back to mine.
"She's just there to quiet my parents," I continued. "They won't stop pushing marriage on me."
"I see," she murmured, looking away quickly. "It doesn't really concern me."
I reached out, gently cupping her face, turning her back toward me. "It does. You can ask me anything you want."
Then I lowered my head, brushing my lips against hers, tasting the sweetness of something I'd wanted for too long. She froze, then melted slightly into the kiss before abruptly pulling back, her breathing uneven.
Charlie and Cherry returned, and Cherry bounced with excitement. "Mum and Dad are going to be together!" she shouted, grinning.
Mirabel pushed me away quickly, flustered. I only smiled, amused at her reaction.
"I expected nothing less," Charlie said calmly, walking off with his sister, clearly giving us space.
Mirabel glared at me. "Why did you do that? This is your fault."
I raised a brow. "My fault? You could have pushed me away sooner. You could have said no before I kissed you. But you didn't, did you?"
Her lips parted, but no words came. She bit her lower lip nervously, and I caught the gesture, brushing my thumb across it.
"You should stop biting your lip in front of me," I murmured.
"And if I don't?" she whispered, her cheeks warming.
My smile deepened. "Then I'll show you what happens next."
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