Lucca returned with Ara, who was in better condition, her eyes closed. When he saw her, he stopped; he was about to turn back, but heard her voice.—Lucca…—Little one —Lucca stepped toward her—. How do you feel? Does it hurt much?—No, they’ve already given me painkillers. How’s the baby?—I don’t know yet, they still have him inside. I just told the guys that everything went well; they were worried.—But it’s almost three in the morning.—Yes, but they won’t leave the waiting room. —Just then, the door opened and a nurse entered with a small bundle in her arms.—Mrs. Moretti, we’ll take you to your room now. Take your baby.—I’ll take him, give him to me. —Lucca received little Lucien in his arms, and a smile spread across his face.—He’s so perfect. —The orderlies wheeled Aracely’s bed to the room, where a small crib and their things were ready. Once she was settled, Lucca handed her the baby. Ara looked at him with so much love and happiness.—Nurse, could you please let the peopl

Lucca settled Aracely in and went to the office; before long, Bastien arrived.—We found her —Lucca told him, a smile appearing on Bastien’s lips.—Where is she?—In a mansion on the outskirts of the city, past the industrial district.—Do you have people watching?—Yes.—Perfect, let’s go. —Bastien and Lucca went to the door; Joel was waiting beside the car.—Joel, we’re going with Lucca. I need you to reinforce surveillance, call in more men and snipers at every corner, hidden.—Yes, sir.—The priority is Kate, Ara, and the babies. You guard them with your life.—Yes, sir. —Lucca and Bastien got into the sports car, followed by black SUVs.—Our men have the house surrounded; they’re waiting for us.—Tell them to do nothing until I get there.—Okay. —They approached the mansion; lights were on inside. Bastien went to the leader of his men.—Who’s inside?—The staff, the Frenchman, and a baby.—The woman?—She left over an hour ago, should be back soon. She was wearing a scarf and dar

When morning came, Nikolas arrived at the mansion only to find it reduced to ashes. Firefighters were still clearing the rubble.—Whhaaaat happened?! Elizaaabeth!!! —Nikolas ran toward the wreckage, but the firefighters stopped him.—Sir, there’s nothing left to rescue.—My sister, my sister was in there!—There are several charred bodies, men and women. We couldn’t say if one of them is your sister. There’s almost nothing left of them, only some bones and teeth.—A baby… there was a baby!—If there was a baby, he must have been completely destroyed. The heat almost disintegrated the adults’ bodies… babies are even more fragile.—Noooooo! —Nikolas rushed into the ruins where the burned bodies lay. He moved everything until he found the remains of one carrying a necklace with an “E,” the same one he had given his sister when she turned eighteen and that she had never taken off. He grabbed it in his hands and whispered—: Elizabeth… —he fell to his knees, crying—. Sister, nooo… why? I to

Five years of peace had passed. After the death of the Black Widow, everything had been perfect. Kate and the girls had grown their store; now they had two branches in the most important cities. One was run by Cristy and the other by Ally, who had married three years ago in a double wedding. They were happy, especially Arthur, whose fierce little woman was seven months pregnant. Even though Cristy woke him up at four in the morning with cravings, he would run without hesitation. And it was no wonder: they were expecting twins.Cristy almost fainted when they told her it would be two—one boy and one girl. She punched Arthur’s chest, yelling:—You couldn’t get me pregnant with just one, it had to be two! After this delivery, I’m getting surgery, I don’t want more babies!Arthur only nodded with a huge smile. His dream of becoming a father was coming true with his fierce little woman, and to top it off, it would be two.Bastien was working in his office with Lucca when he saw his little

—Mommy, why do you always make daddy’s cookies in the shape of hearts? —little Addy asked, her face covered in flour, just like Lucien, who was watching closely, waiting for the answer.—Because I love your daddy very much. I love him with all my heart. And when you love someone, you must show it in every way possible. He has my heart, he is my heart. That’s why the cookies for him are always special. Because every time I bake for him, I give him my heart again and again, and I want him to know it.—My daddy loves you too, right? Because he always gives you chocolates, and flowers, and lots of kisses. —Kate couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s sweetness. She was about to respond when Bastien’s hands wrapped around her waist and he kissed her neck.—Of course I love mommy too. She is my life. —Kate turned, and Bastien kissed her. When they finished, Kate playfully dabbed flour on his nose.—My daddy loves my mommy a lot too. He’s always kissing her, hugging her, or carrying her. O