KIERAN’S POV
“Mom!”
My son’s voice ricocheted through the waiting hall, sharp and bright as a bell. Every head turned, but I watched only Seraphina.
Her entire body went still—frozen in that way I knew well. Shock. Disbelief. The instinctive flinch before emotion struck.
She didn’t even notice when Maya slinked away, throwing me a conspiratorial wink over her shoulder.
And then, as Daniel bounded forward, her favorite flowers clutched tight in his hands, she unraveled.
The shock melted away, and in its place, joy erupted—raw, unguarded, and so blindingly beautiful it made my chest ache.
For a moment, I forgot we weren’t alone. I forgot the murmurs of other families, the bustle of staff, the clamor of reporters and cameramen.
All I saw was Sera, her eyes glassy, her arms outstretched, trembling, as Daniel leapt into them.
“My baby!” she gasped, burying her face in his hair. Her arms wrapped around him like a vice.
