The night was quiet too quiet for the Riverson estate. Aurora sat curled on the chaise in her room, a soft blanket draped over her swollen belly. The sound of her baby's heartbeat from her last appointment still echoed in her mind. There was a storm outside, wind whistling through the tall windows, rattling the trees on the sprawling grounds. Gianna had gone to bed early. Kim had kissed her goodnight. William was still on a call in his study.
And Aurora? She couldn't sleep. She kept thinking of him. Mark.
She hadn't heard his voice in weeks not directly. Just those anonymous calls. That same silence. Like he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. Like he was haunted. Like she was. Suddenly—
Bang.
A door slammed shut downstairs. She shot up, clutching the armrest. Another noise followed. The unmistakable shuffle of feet. Voices. Male. One angry, one calm. Then silence again.
Her heart pounded. She knew that energy. That tension. That presence. Her feet moved on their own as she descended the stairs, one hand on the gold banister, the other bracing her stomach.
And there he was.
Standing in the middle of the grand foyer, soaked from the rain. Mark. Aurora froze halfway down the stairs. Her breath caught in her throat.
He looked up at her slowly, cautiously and their eyes met. It wasn't anger she saw in his. Not pride. Not arrogance. Just pain.
Deep, raw, aching pain. Peach…" he breathed. She gripped the rail, her lips trembling. "I shouldn't have let you go," he said, stepping forward but keeping a respectful distance. "I thought I was protecting you by staying away. But I was only hurting you. Hurting us."
Her feet finally moved.
But before she could take another step, he dropped to his knees. Not just kneeling falling. His hands clasped. His eyes red.
"I know you hate me. You have every right to. But don't shut me out. Please. I want to be here. For you. For our baby. I'll sleep at the gates if that's what it takes. Just… don't send me away."
Aurora reached the last step, standing still.
Her heart was racing. She hadn't seen him in months, yet here he was, broken and begging. She didn't care that her Dad might walk in and throw him out. She didn't care that she'd told herself she would never forgive him.
Her heart softened. Her lips parted.
She took one step forward—
Then gasped.
"Ahh—" her hand flew to her belly. Mark shot up from his knees. "Aurora?!" Her face contorted in pain, one hand on her lower back. "Oh God…"
"Is it—? Is it time?"
No," she whimpered, shaking her head. "It's too soon— I—I don't know—" William and Kim rushed in from the corridor, alarmed by the shouting.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" William barked. William, not now!" Kim yelled, rushing to Aurora. "She's in pain!" Mark reached her before anyone else, holding her up gently. "I've got you. I've got you, okay? Breathe."
Aurora leaned into him instinctively.
A flood of emotions danced in her eyes fear, confusion, longing but also peace. Even in this moment of chaos, she felt safe in his arms.
Kim was already shouting instructions. Gianna came running with a bag. William stormed off to ready the car. The bodyguards were summoning the doctor. But Aurora's gaze stayed on one person only.
"Mark…"
I'm not leaving," he said softly. "Not now. Not ever again."