Chapter 207

The sound of a turning key pierced the quiet night.

Stella Valentine sat up abruptly, instinctively shielding her two children behind her. "Who's there?"

A tall silhouette emerged in the dim hallway light.

"Mr. Alistair?"

His deep voice carried unexpected tenderness. "Still awake?"

"Daddy!" Ethan cheered, leaping off the bed barefoot to crash into his arms. "I missed you so much!"

The five-year-old boy collided with Adrian Roland like a tiny cannonball, nearly knocking him off balance.

"Daddy's all wet." Ethan wrinkled his nose, tiny fingers brushing the soaked fabric. "I'll get a towel!"

His little footsteps pattered toward the bathroom.

In Adrian's arms, Luna Roland stopped crying, blinking teary eyes at her father with curiosity.

Stella approached, her fingertips grazing his chilled clothing. "You're drenched! Your wounds could get infected! Where's Charlie? Do you have any idea how worried—"

Her scolding died when his forehead dropped onto her shoulder.

She'd never seen him like this before.

Streetlight through the window illuminated his exhausted face—a battle-scarred lion.

Yet he still pressed a gentle kiss to Luna's cheek, making her giggle.

"Daddy! Towel!" Ethan returned triumphantly with a bath towel, his expression serious. "Dry off or you'll catch cold."

Adrian knelt, kissing his son's forehead as he accepted it. "Thank you."

"Did you beat the bad guys today?" Ethan tilted his head.

Adrian's smile faltered. "Daddy... lost."

Ethan suddenly grasped his large hand. "That's okay! You'll always be my superhero!"

"But today... I lost badly."

The child reached up to touch his face. "Are you hurt?"

"Are you disappointed in me?"

"Never!" Ethan shook his head fiercely. "Teacher says failure is the mother of success! You're the best!"

Adrian's eyes reddened. "I haven't been... a good father before."

"Liar!" Ethan buried himself in Adrian's embrace. "You're the greatest daddy ever!"

Watching them, Stella felt her nose sting.

"Let Daddy shower first," she murmured.

Ethan suddenly grinned mischievously. "Mommy should help him! I want a baby brother!"

Stella's face burned crimson.

What nonsense had Joy been teaching him?

"Stella?" Adrian's gaze turned scorching.

Flustered, she settled Luna down before being half-guided into the bathroom by his arm.

In the cramped space, his breath warmed her ear.

"Your... your injuries..." she stammered.

He chuckled low. "Just showering. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't!"

"Then why so red?"

She shoved him in embarrassment, only to hear a pained gasp.

"Did I hurt you?" She rushed forward.

The next instant, she was pulled into a damp embrace.

"Still so easy to fool." His arms tightened around her with a laugh.