Jane POV


We were sitting in the living room when Hades gave me the card.

'It's a company event," he said. 'My father is hosting it."

I froze.


'Event?. 'After what happened last time?"

He nodded. 'Yes. But this time is different."


I looked away. 'What if people talk? What if they hate me?"

Hades knelt in front of me and held my hands.

'Let them talk," he said 'I will be there. I will not let anything happen to you."

I nodded slowly. 'Okay. I trust you."

___

The night of the event came fast. I wore a simple but elegant black dress. My baby bump was showing now, and I felt nervous.

Hades wore a navy suit and he looked calm and confident.

'Ready?" he asked 'No," I said honestly.

He smiled. 'Don't worry. I am with you."


__

The Thomsons' company event was held at a large hall in their hotel. Fancy cars stopped at the entrance and people were everywhere. Men in suits and women in dresses. Photographers, reporters and cameras were flashing.

We walked in, hand in hand.

I heard whispers. 'There she is."

'Isn't that Jane Grande?" 'She is pregnant?" 'She is trouble."

I tried to keep my face straight and I didn't look at anyone.

Inside the hall, it was big and bright and lights hung from the ceiling. Tables were full of food and drinks and a small stage was at the front.

We were led to the VIP section.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomson were already there. Mr. Thomson saw me and frowned. Mrs. Thomson gave a weak smile.

People kept staring and I felt eyes on me the whole time


___

Later, the event became more formal and a man from the press stood near the stage. He holds a microphone.

'Ladies and gentlemen," he said, 'we now welcome Mr. Hades Thomson to give a short speech."

Hades stood up and walked to the stage and the crowd clapped.

He smiled and began.

'Thank you for being here tonight. This company has grown because of family, loyalty, and hard work. And today, I want to speak about something even more personal."

I watched from the table, and held my breath.

'I wanted to talk about the woman beside me," he said..

Whispers started again. I saw people looking at me.

'Jane Grande," he said clearly, 'is my woman. She is carrying my child and I love her."

People gasped.

'Some of you know our past. Some of you knew only rumors. Let me tell you the truth. Jane is strong, she is kind and she is brave and then she is the best thing that ever happened to me."

A man from the press spoke up. 'But what about her lawsuits? She locked you up and sent you to prison?"

Hades frowns.

'She also freed me, she is more than her past and so am I. I will not let anyone shame the woman I love, not the press and not the world."

The room went quiet.

Then Mr. Thomson stood up from his seat. 'Hades, stop this now."

Hades didn't stop.

'I will not stop," he said. 'If you can't accept Jane, then I will leave. I will walk away from this company, from this family and from everything."

Mr. Thomson looks shocked. 'You would throw away your legacy?"

Hades looked at me. His eyes were soft.

'For her? Yes," he said.

Silence fell across the hall.

People didn't move and some opened their mouths but said nothing.

Hades stepped off the stage and he walked straight to me and took my hand.

'Let us go," he said.

I stood and my hands were shaking, but I walked with him.

We left the hall together and no one tried to stop us.


Hades holds my hand tightly, his grip warm and strong. I didn't say anything, I just walked with him and tried to breathe. My heart was still beating fast from what just happened there.

The cameras follow us.

Flash. Flash. Click. Click.

They wouldn't stop.

A few reporters stood behind the ropes, they whispered and pointed. I could hear them even though they tried to keep their voices low.

'She is the reason for the family fight."

'She used to be in the news for all the wrong reasons."

'Still, look how he defends her. Maybe it's love."

'I wouldn't throw away a billion-dollar company for love."

They think I didn't hear, but I did, every word and every glance.

Hades didn't look at them, his eyes stayed ahead and his jaw was tight, and his face was serious. He was angry, but not at me. He just kept walking like he wanted to shield me from everything.

Then I looked back toward the glass doors.

Mr. Thomson was still inside and he hadn't left the hall. He stood near a corner table, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass.

His face was unreadable, it was stern, stiff but I could tell he was thinking. His jaw was clenched, and his brows were low.

He didn't look like a father ready to forgive.

But he also didn't look like a man ready to explode. He just watched Hades and watched me.

My stomach tightened and then the door opened again and Iquickly turned back around.

It was Mrs. Thomson.

Her dress was pale gold, soft and flowing. Her steps were calm and quiet and she walked toward me slowly and I didn't move. I didn't even breathe.

She reached me and stopped.

Her eyes were warm, but her face was serious.

'You were very strong in there," she said, her voice low and gentle.

I blinked. 'I just, I didn't want to cause any trouble."

She nodded slightly. 'I know. But sometimes, trouble finds us, even when we don't ask for it."

I looked down and my hands rested on my belly. The baby kicks lightly, almost like reminding me that I was not alone.

Mrs. Thomson noticed.

She stepped closer and placed a hand gently on my shoulder.

'I see the way my son looked at you, Jane," she said. 'I have never seen him like that."

I glanced up, tears stinging my eyes.

'He's different with you," she continued. 'he is softer, stronger and happier."

My throat felt tight. 'I didn't mean to come between him and his family."

She sighed. 'Love doesn't always come the way we expect. But it's real. I can see it in both of you."

For a moment, neither of us says anything.

Then, she does something I don't expect.

She steps forward and hugs me.

It's not stiff. Not forced. It's warm and full and motherly.

I freeze for a second, then slowly wrap my arms around her. My face presses into her shoulder.

'You take care of my son," she whispers into my ear. 'He's stubborn. But his heart is pure."

Tears fall down my cheeks before I can stop them.

'I will," I whisper back.

She pulls away, her eyes glassy but smiling.

Then she nods once, turns, and walks back toward the hall, her figure fading into the golden light of the entrance.

I wipe my eyes and let out a shaky breath.

Hades steps closer and slides his arm around my back.

'You okay?" he asks, his voice softer now.

I nod and lean against his chest.

'She hugged me," I said quietly.

He pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head. 'That's a good sign."

I look up at him. 'Your father still hates me."

Hades looks toward the hall, his eyes hard. 'Let him. I love you. That's all that matters."