Page 61 of Cruel Hero

I turn to Adrien, his expression a mix of surprise and nostalgia. “Do you remember what you said to me years ago? About dreaming of a life here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city?”

His eyes soften, and a gentle smile tugs at his lips. “Of course, I do.”

My heart flutters as I step out of the car, my hand instinctively reaching for his. “Well, let’s see if we can make that dream a reality.”

Leading him inside, we are greeted by the scent of pine and fresh paint—a blend of cherished memories and new beginnings. As we climb the stairs, my excitement grows.

At the top, I turn to face him. “Close your eyes.”

I lead him towards the door of a room that once stood empty, covered in dust. With a deep breath, I turn the handle. “Okay, open your eyes.”

I watch Adrien’s face intently as his eyes flutter open. He stands frozen for a moment, taking in the transformed space. The bare, lifeless room is now a nursery, painted with soft yellows and greens. There’s a white crib, a rocking chair, and whimsical animal decals on the walls.

Adrien’s expression goes from confusion to disbelief to realization, leaving me breathless.

I step closer to him, my heart racing. “Adrien,” I say softly, taking his hand and placing it gently on my stomach. “You’re going to be a father.”

“Tiffany, are you... Are you certain?”

I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. “I am. I remembered how you said you could picture living here. And now, I’m ready too. Ready to move here, to start our family, to live a slower and happier life. Our own happily ever after.”

We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our companies—Carter Corporation and Leroy Holdings—move toward a brighter future, shedding the shadows of our pasts. It’s been a slow process, but the progress is undeniable. Now, as I stand here in this room that holds so much promise, I feel the weight of our journey and the beauty of what’s to come.

Adrien’s hand trembles against my stomach, his eyes locked on mine, searching for confirmation. When he finds it, his face breaks into the widest, most genuine smile I’ve ever seen. He pulls me into his arms, holding me so tightly I can barely breathe, but I don’t care. His voice is thick with emotion when he finally speaks.

“Tiffany… I…” He pauses, pulling back just enough to cup my face in his hands. “You’ve given me everything. A second chance, a purpose, and now this. I don’t even know how to—” His voice cracks and he presses his forehead to mine. “I love you so much. Both of you.”

Tears spill down my cheeks as I laugh softly. “I love you too, Adrien. More than anything.”

I close the gap between us, our lips meeting in a tender, heartfelt kiss. It’s a promise, a celebration, a new beginning, all wrapped into one perfect moment.

When we finally pull apart, Adrien’s hands linger on my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears. He looks around the nursery again, his gaze lingering on every detail—the crib, the soft rug, the little stuffed bear sitting in the rocking chair.

“You did all this?”

I nod, smiling through my tears. “I wanted it to be perfect. For you. For us.”

He shakes his head, a soft laugh escaping him. “It’s more than perfect, Tiffany. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

He pulls me into another embrace, and for a moment, we just stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside this room fading away. I can feel his heartbeat against mine, steady and strong, and I know that whatever challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together.

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