Epilogue
Laurent
My bedroom was quiet except for the sound of Lia suckling at her mother’s breast.
It was an indescribable feeling—to become a father. I still couldn’t believe Lia came from me. She was too beautiful, too innocent.
For the first time, I felt like I truly belonged. I was part of this family, and that knowledge brought me peace.
And Lucia?
She astounded me. Not only had she carried and given birth to Lia, but she continued to give—nurturing our newborn daughter with a tenderness I didn’t deserve to witness.
“I was an idiot,” I whispered to Lia.
“Was?”
I smiled.
“If I didn’t have such an incredibly large ego, I’d be wounded by your words.”
“It’s not the only large thing you have,” she murmured.
“You’ve got a while to go before I come anywhere near you.”
“You said the complete opposite in the beginning.”
“I was blinded by lust. I still am—but I’ve learned to control it,” I admitted.
She glanced over her shoulder at me in surprise.
“You’ve become lush carrying Lia—and that ass,” I groaned, causing Lia to startle. “I hope you never lose it.”
“Why would you say that to me when I have to fit into a wedding dress in a few months’ time?” she grumbled, shifting Lia to her other breast.
I leaned over to support Lia’s head—so tiny, so fragile—and cradled it gently until Lucia took over.
“You know I’m not fussed about the details.”
“Wow. You really have changed. That prenup was something else.”
I scrunched my nose, thinking about it.
“We should put a limit on how long you can cuss me for.”
She chuckled. “You do that.”
“Fine, I’ll take my penance like a man,” I said—like the brave martyr that I was.
“So dramatic,” she whispered, leaning back against me. “You’re lucky I love you.”
I heard the words—clearly.
I mean, I’d suspected, but after all the shit I’d pulled, my brain was still short-circuiting when she spoke again.
“Did I break you?”
“Yeah,” I croaked.
