Stella's POV The morning began bright and cool, sunlight slipping through the bedroom curtains. Routine seemed to be settling back into place, at least on the surface. The boys needed to get to school, and I needed to keep up the appearance of normalcy, even though my mind had been in chaos since yesterday. "Come on, guys, we don't want to be late," I said, smiling at them. Apollo and Orion raced through the hallway, competing to see who could put on their jacket first, while I watched them with equal parts tenderness and worry. Every thought in my head circled back to the emotional mess Damian had left behind, and the new confusion Alexander had brought into my life so unexpectedly. On the drive, the boys chatted excitedly about the new book Damian had bought them and about the spaceship design painted on Orion's bedroom ceiling. I dropped them off at school, collecting the usual hugs and kisses, then headed to the café where I worked with Alexander. The idea of seeing him d

Damian's POV "Are you out of your damn mind?!" My father's voice exploded through the office, cutting through the closed door as if it were made of paper. I had expected Sophie to run crying to him the moment the day began. But I hadn't expected him to show up in person, storm into my office, and confront me in front of employees who were probably already whispering in the hallways about the scandal he was creating. I calmly lifted my gaze from my desk, as if none of it mattered, and met his face, red with rage. "Close the door, Dad," I said, keeping my tone under control. "I'm sure you don't want the audience that's forming out there." He slammed the door shut so hard the walls shook, then charged toward me like he was about to punch me. "I should knock some sense into that thick skull of yours!" he spat, pointing a finger at me. "If you want to have affairs, that's your problem. It's not classy, but it's tolerable. Now leaving your wife for one? That's stupidity, Damian

Stella's POV My stomach twisted the moment I saw Sophie Peterson step out of that black Maserati. She didn't hesitate. She walked straight into the café, posture flawless, an outrageously expensive purse on her arm, a cold smile carved onto her lips. The two guards Damian usually rotated at the door exchanged a brief look. Neither of them stopped her. Of course they didn't. What reason would they have to block Damian Winter's lawful wife? I took a deep breath, trying to steady the wave of nerves that hit me. I had known this moment would come. Sooner or later. Sophie entered as if she were walking into a five-star hotel ballroom. She looked around, assessing every detail of the café, her light eyes reflecting nothing but disdain and arrogance. Then she chose a central table, one that gave her a perfect view of me behind the counter. Larissa picked up her notepad and approached, ready to take her order. Sophie raised a hand, cutting her off without even looking at her. "No,"

Stella's POV My heart was still pounding in my chest. I could barely believe what had just happened in the bathroom. Damian had to have arrogance running through his veins. He had simply barged into my room, followed me into the shower, and watched me like he was entitled to the show. And worse, he didn't seem to feel the slightest bit of shame or guilt about it. There I was, standing in a towel, dripping water onto the carpet, breathing hard with anger, and he was… sitting on the edge of my bed, legs spread, arms crossed, looking at me in a way that touched me more than the shower water ever had. "What the hell were you thinking?" I snapped, unable to hold back my outrage. He only tilted his head, as if I'd asked the most obvious question in the world. "I was thinking about seeing you naked," he said calmly, bluntly. "And look at that… I did." My jaw dropped. For a second, I couldn't even react. He had the nerve to say that without blinking, like it was perfectly normal

Damian's POV "Are you and Mom dating?" My entire body went rigid. I glanced toward the kitchen, trying to see if Stella was there. I wasn't sure what I could or couldn't say. I didn't want us arguing now, not when we'd finally gotten back on the same page. "Huh?" I muttered, sounding more evasive than I meant to. Before I could come up with an answer, Orion, always ready to back up his brother, repeated the question with even more conviction. "Yeah, Daddy. Are you two dating?" I looked from one to the other. Two pairs of wide, hopeful eyes stared at me as if their entire future depended on my answer. I took a deep breath and decided to flip the situation. "Would you like Mom and Dad to date?" I asked gently, careful not to sound like I was pressuring them. They looked at each other, and identical smiles spread across their faces, which made me smile without even realizing it. "Yes!" they shouted together, clapping their hands and nearly bouncing on the couch. "A lot!