Jane POV

Mr. Thomson stands too, taller and more intimidating. "Love? Love doesn't build legacy! Love doesn't hold a family's reputation together! You are my son, and you are throwing everything away for a scandalous woman!"


I lowered my head and I bit my lip. I wanted to scream that I was not a scandal. I wanted to say that I was in the past and all that happened wasn't my fault, but my throat felt tight.

Mrs. Thomson quickly stood and moved between them. "Please stop this," she said gently, and placed a hand on her husband's chest. She turned to me. "Jane, dear, would you mind stepping outside for a moment? Just some air."

I nodded silently and stood, my knees felt weak and I walked toward the door slowly and stepped into the garden.


The sun touched my skin gently. I found a stone bench under a tree and sat. My eyes blurred. I wiped the tears away, but they kept coming. It hurt more than I thought it would.

I thought maybe today would go well. I thought maybe Hades' father would understand that everything that happened in the past wasn't my fault, that just needed to be served.


From where I sat, I heard their voices faintly through the windows.

"You are making a mistake, Hades," Mr. Thomson said. "You will regret this."

"No, I won't," Hades replied firmly. "Because for the first time, I am choosing with my heart. Jane is not a mistake. She is my future."

"Then you are no longer my son," Mr. Thomson says with finality.

I covered my mouth with my hands. My heart shattered and I never wanted to come between him and his father.

"So be it," Hades said quietly. "If that's what it takes, I will walk away, but I will not walk away from her."

The garden felt colder now and I hugged myself. I never wanted this.

I stood in the garden quietly, my back pressed gently against the tall marble column. The air was soft but heavy. I heard

'I love her!" Hades' voice was clear and firm.

Mr. Thomson's voice was louder. 'You are throwing away everything for a woman with a scandalous name and a child that may not even be yours!"

My hands trembled.

I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted today to go well.

My heart sank deeper with each angry word. I stepped away from the wall slowly, afraid I would hear more than I should, but unable to stop myself.

Hades shouted again, 'She is carrying my baby, Father! I don't care about your legacy. I care about her. About us!"

My chest tightened and I closed my eyes, I shouldn't have come. I shouldn't have let him bring me here and now they are fighting because of me, because of this baby.

Because of everything I carried with my name.

My eyes stung, and I felt the warm tears falling before I could even stop them. I turned away from the window and walked slowly back toward the front of the house. I wanted to leave and I wanted to disappear for a while and give them time to fix this without me.

Then I heard footsteps. Hades.

He didn't look back. He just walked straight to me, took my hand without saying a word, and began to lead me toward the car.

I glanced behind, Mr. Thomson stood at the doorway with his arms crossed. He didn't speak and he didn't call us back. His cold eyes followed us, it was sharp and full of disappointment.

Hades opened the car door for me and I slided in slowly without saying anything.

He sat beside me and his fingers ran through his hair. He looked so angry and also very hurt.

I turned to him. 'I'm sorry," I whispered.

He shook his head. 'Don't be."

'Maybe you shouldn't have brought me today. Probably all these wouldn't have happened, I was sure they would be sad about the past,"

He took a deep breath and then looked at me. 'Jane, I didn't regret anything. You hear me? I love you, I love this baby, and I don't care what they say."

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from crying again.

'But I don't want you to lose your family because of me," I said softly. 'Your father, your home."

He leaned closer and placed his hand gently on my belly.

'This is my home now," he said. 'You. The baby and us."

I felt the tears come again, but this time, they were quiet and with no pain, it was just warmth.

I leaned my head on his shoulder, and allowed the silence to settle between us.

We didn't say anything to each other.

The car drove through the trees, and the sun began to fall. His hand stayed on my belly. It was warm and protective and I listened to his heartbeat. It was strong and steady.

I know now that it won't be easy and We have a long road ahead.


HADES POV

As soon as we stepped inside the house, I locked the door behind us. Jane looked tired, more than tired.

Her eyes were so dull, her shoulders were and she didn't speak much, she just headed straight for the couch and sunk herself into it like her bones were melting.

I took a breath, she had been through hell today.

Without a word, I went to the kitchen. I know she hadn't eaten. I pulled out everything I needed, garlic, butter, fresh herbs, pasta, and salmon.

My hands moved fast, but my mind was slow, steady, focused only on her. I wanted her to taste comfort and I wanted her to feel safe..

The smell filled the house, it was warm, creamy, rich.

'Are you cooking?" her voice floated from the couch, weak but curious.

'Yeah," I said softly. 'Just sit back. I have got it."

Twenty minutes later, I brought her a tray of pan-seared salmon in garlic butter, lemon herb pasta, and a glass of warm chamomile tea. She stared at it and was surprised. Her eyes met mine.

'You cooked this?"

'I did," I nodded. 'Eat."

She hesitated, and then took a bite. Her eyes fluttered shut. 'It's… really good."

I watched her eat slowly. She didn't say much, but I saw the tightness in her chest start to loosen and when she finished, I took the tray, then kneel in front of her.

'Give me your feet," I said.

She frowned a little. 'What?"

'Your feet, Jane. Come on."

She hesitated again and then lifted them onto my lap and I gently slipped off her shoes. Her skin was soft and I started rubbing, it was slow and firm, working every knot I found.

She didn't talk and she just let out a deep breath and sunk lower into the couch.


Her eyes started to close and minutes passed her breathing even out. She was asleep.