Page 97 of Shadowvale Secrets

“Ryder!” she cries, her cunt squeezing around me. I feel myself fly over the edge at the same time as Eva, our bodies moving in unison as we come together.

Once we’re spent, we fall back in the bed together, basking in the glow of togetherness. I can’t believe I get to spend every day with my family, with Eva, and raise children together with her.

The next morning dawns bright and clear, casting a gentle light through the windows of the dining room. We gather around the polished table, the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filling the air.

Bree sits in her high chair, her chubby cheeks smeared with jam as she munches happily on a piece of toast. “Fitz, can you get a rag so I can wipe off Bree’s face?” Eva asks. Fitz smiles, moving quickly to oblige.

“Here you are, Miss Bree,” he says, gently wiping off her face. I appreciate how he seamlessly made the transition from Evangeline’s boss to her butler, never once showing any resentment for her change in station.

“Oh, look, you got jam on your dress,” Eva teases our daughter.

“Jam! Jam!” Bree says, banging her fork against the tray of her high chair.

It’s times like this when I’m most struck by how lucky I’ve become. After our father died, we weren’t the same. We let our bitterness fester and grow.

Not for the first time, I’m struck by the way we’ve all changed in the time since we met. Theo was a hard, bitter man, drifting and alone. Oliver’s cruel streak was poorly hidden, and my recklessness had grown out of control. We took our anger out in the wrong ways, pushing ourselves past the breaking point just to feel again.

But then Eva came along, this kind, wonderful, compassionate woman just searching for a place to belong. And she got under our skin, a constant reminder that we were only as strong as the worst parts of ourselves.

Who knew that we would eventually find our way to each other, we’d come together and apart and together again, stronger than ever?

Theo pours steaming cups of coffee for each of us, clearing his throat. “I just want to make a toast,” he says. “To family.” He raises his mug.

Oliver nods, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “To family,” he echoes, his gaze sweeping over each of us with warmth.

I reach out to clasp Eva's hand, my touch gentle and reassuring. “To family,” I murmur, my voice thick with emotion.

Eva's eyes meet mine, her gaze soft and tender. “To family," she says, her voice catching slightly as she squeezes my hand.

I know that no matter what the future holds, we'll face it with courage, determination, and love. Together.

Always.

Loved

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