Weeks after, I sat alone in my office.


The sun was just rising outside the window, painting the sky orange and gold. But I didn't care about the sunrise. I was still thinking about what I said, what I did, and how everyone looked at us when Jane and I walked out of that event.

I'm not sorry. I would do it all again, my phone buzzed on the table and I glanced at it and froze.

Dad.


I stared at the name for a few seconds and he hadn't called me in m, we only spoke during company meetings, and even then, it was cold and short.

I answered.


'Hello?"

'Come to the house," he said with a low voice low. 'We need to talk."

He hung up before I could say anything else.

___

Thirty minutes later, I was at the mansion.

I walked into the study, the same room I used to play in as a boy and everything looked the same, dark wood shelves, leather chairs, the smell of old books and cigars.

Dad stood by the window and his hands behind his back.

He didn't turn when I entered.

'You wanted to talk?" I said.

He was quiet for a moment, then finally turned around.

He looked tired and not weak, but his eyes looked heavy, like he hadn't slept much.

He walked to the desk and sat, but I didn't sit.

'You embarrassed me," he said.

I crossed my arms. 'I stood up for the woman I love."

'She had a reputation." 'She also has a heart, and she is loyal. You just don't see it."

He leaned back, and looked at me with unreadable eyes.

'I saw something," he said slowly. 'When the cameras were on you, when the pressure was high and she didn't hide behind you. She stood with you."

I blinked, caught off guard by his tone.

He continued, 'She didn't cry, she didn't run, she held your hand even when the room judged her."

I said nothing.

'I don't like scandals," he added. 'I don't like noise. I built this family to stay strong, clean, and respected."

'And you think love is messy?" I asked.

He sighed. 'Love is unpredictable, dangerous. But sometimes, it makes a man stronger."

I sat down across from him now and he watched me.

'I am not saying I trust her," he said. 'Not yet. But, I see how much you do. I see how far you are willing to go for her."

'She is not going anywhere," I said firmly. 'She is carrying my child and she is my future."

He was silent again, and then, slowly, he nodded.

'I want to invite her for dinner," he said. 'Just family, no press and no show."

I was surprised. 'You mean that?"

'I am trying," he said. 'I can't promise more. But I am willing to see who she is when there are no cameras."

I nodded slowly.

'She will come," I said. 'Thank you."

He held up a finger. 'One condition."

I waited.

'No drama. If it turns into another scene like last time, the doors close for good."

I looked him straight in the eyes. 'It won't. She is not like that. And I'll make sure of it."

He didn't smile, but something in his face relaxed.

'Dinner is tomorrow at eight."

'I will tell her."

I stood up and turned to leave, but he called after me.

'Hades."

I turned.

'She's stronger than I thought," he said quietly. 'But so are you."

I nodded once and walked out, heart steady.

Maybe this is the beginning. Maybe this is the chance we need.

___

I was in the living room, folding baby clothes on the couch. The soft little onesies, the tiny socks, they make me smile.

I still can't believe I was going to be a mother and sometimes I touched my belly and whispered to the baby like we were already having conversations.

Hades walked in, his face calm but serious. I looked up at him right away.

'What is wrong?" I asked, heart skipping a beat.

He walked closer and sat beside me. He took my hand and kissed my fingers.

'Nothing's wrong," he said softly. 'I just came back from seeing my father."

My heart tightened. 'What did he say?"

Hades hesitated for a second, then looked into my eyes. 'He wants us to come for dinner tomorrow. Just family, no press and no drama. Just… us."

I blinked fast. 'Wait… what?"

'He invited you," Hades repeats gently. 'It's not an apology, not really, but it's something, it's a start."

I felt my breath caught. I dropped the tiny sock in my hand and pressed a hand to my chest. 'He… wanted me there?"

Hades nodded 'He saw you the last time, how strong you were and how calm and he said he is willing to give it a chance."

Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them. 'I didn't think he would ever, after how he looked at me"

'I know," Hades whispered. 'But this is real, Jane and he invited us."

I stared at him, my chest tightened with a swirl of emotions. 'I am scared."

Hades held my hand tighter. 'I will be there, the whole time."

I shook my head and tried to laugh through the tears. 'I am not scared of being alone there. I am scared of hoping too much. What if he hurts us again?"

He pulled me into his arms, and wrapped me in warmth. 'Then we will walk away together. But if there is even a chance that he is opening his heart, we should try."

I rested my head on his shoulder. I was quiet for a moment, then I nodded slowly.

'Okay. I will come, for you, for our baby."

Hades pulled back and cupped my cheek. 'For us."

I gave him a watery smile. 'I didn't even know what to wear. I want to look calm, and not desperate."

He chuckled. 'Wear what makes you feel strong. You are already everything they need to see."

His words hit deep and I breathed out and nodded. 'Alright. Let's do this."

He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles again. 'This is just the beginning."

Something stirred in my chest, something warm and something bright and it was Hope.

I placed his hand gently on my belly, where the baby kicks lightly.

'Yes," I whisper, 'Just the beginning."