Page 222 of His Sunshine Baby

“Yes. I made it for her when she was sick; she loved it.”

“Can you make one for me too?”

“Nora ordered them already, but I promise I’ll make you any dish you want later, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy.”

I smile. This is a new sensation for me. Estelle smiles and goes to play with James, who’s basically treating poor Boyan like a horse. Nora only introduced them quickly, but my nephew’s apparently decided he loves his cousin already. They brought over some toys from the playroom to play with on the carpet, but Boyan is the main entertainment for now.

Meanwhile, I grab the backpack Estelle had with her this whole time. Was Elena ready to leave anytime? I check inside. There are children’s basic toiletries, two changes of clothes, some money, and a letter. I hesitate a second. The envelope is blank, but whatever Elena wrote is inside. Before I can make up my mind, Damian takes it from me to open it.

“To whoever found her, please bring my daughter Estelle to her father in Silver City. If I can’t be by her side, please make sure she meets him safely. His name is Nathaniel Black. He will take care of her, if you present her to him. He can even give you money in exchange if you want, but please, to whoever is reading this letter, take good care of my baby. I’m sorry I can’t be there, but she is the most precious thing to me. Please.”

I take a deep breath.

She trusted me. Elena knew I’d take care of Estelle if I met her. It’s a huge relief. All the signs are there. She wanted me to know my daughter, and for her to know me.

Someone takes the letter from me. Isaac and Daniel are back, and read it together.

“Dada!”

“I can’t believe it. She said to bring Estelle to you instead of me?” he sighs.

“You still belong to the White Moon clan,” says Damian. “She doesn’t. And Nathaniel is her father.”

“He doesn’t–!”

Damian suddenly gets up to face Daniel.

“Daniel, I’ll say it one last time. Nathaniel made mistakes, but so did you. Who was in charge of that paternity test back then?”

He inevitably looks down, shaking his head.

“It wasn’t my fault. Iris…”

Iris? Who is he talking about?

“I don’t care what Whitewood did,” growls Damian. “It was also your fault for not watching those tests. My brother has his wrongdoings but so do you, and so did Elena. Now if you still have a problem with Nathaniel taking care of his daughter, you’ll settle this with him outside, not inside my house.”

He used his Alpha Aura in that last sentence, and Daniel steps back instinctively, overpowered. I’m grateful to him. I’m feeling shitty enough without having to fight Daniel today.

“That goes for you too,” Damian says to Liam, who had just walked in.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

Our younger brother just avoids us to go play with James, but Sylviana sits next to me. The witch is very comfortable around us now. Of course, given that I have been avoiding pretty much everyone recently, I didn’t see her much either, but I know she hangs out a lot with Nora.

“How are you?” she asks me softly.

“A bit shaken up,” I sigh. “It’s… a lot for one day. I just can’t believe they are here.”

She smiles, and when James starts to whine about some toy, Sylviana agitates her fingers. A few flower petals appear out of nowhere around the kids, who immediately start playing with them, amused.

“You were there when she was born.”

“Yes,” she nods. “I helped Elena give birth to her. Estelle was unhealthy. I think Elena suffered too much stress during her pregnancy, plus the pre-eclampsia and her previous miscarriage.”

I guess Estelle’s birth was a miracle to begin with. How was she even conceived? Between both of our difficulties, it should have been impossible. So how?

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