Page 172 of Modern Romance September 2025 5-8
She dropped her hand, raised her eyes to his.
She wanted…
Her eyes filled with unwanted tears.
She wanted his heart. Tobehis heart. To be loved as intensely as he loved his art. As he had loved Amelia.
‘Wear it, Aurora,’ he urged. ‘Our baby will not be undocumented. It will never be lost in the dark.Let them know I am your protector. Let them know Sebastian Shard, the enigma that creeps around in the dark and creates images that haunts them, protects you and our child.’
She wanted more. More than protection.
She wanted everything.
Everything he wasn’t ready to give.
She reached for his fingers and closed them around the ring. ‘Let’s not talk of marriage today,’ she said. ‘But… I’ll stand there beside you, whatever you choose to say, and I’ll be proud to have them know you’re the father of my child. You don’t have to hide in the dark anymore, Sebastian.’
‘Aurora…’ His Adam’s apple danced. ‘They fear the dark. They fear the noises that come out of the shadows,’ he told her fiercely. ‘I am the dark, and they will fear me.’
‘No.’ She dropped her hands to her sides. ‘You and Amelia were made to stay in the shadows. To hide. Don’t make Amelia hide anymore.’
‘She is dead, Aurora,’ he said without venom, only acceptance. ‘I understand what you have tried to do today, but opening the doors makes me weak.’
‘You are not weak,’ she corrected him quietly. ‘You and Amelia deserve to exist. To be seen. Stand in front of them, Sebastian,’ she urged, ‘and tell them what you think is right.’ She knew she was pushing him hard, but… ‘Stand in front of them and tell them Amelia’s story. Make them knowherstory. Make them see her. Make her death mean something. Something that can change things for other undocumented—invisible—children.’
His nostrils flared.
‘You have an opportunity to not only donate your art to causes you believe in, but to be the face of it. Your face, without a mask, without hiding behind the art you make.’ She swallowed. ‘Today they are all here. So stand in front of them as yourself. For Amelia. Don’t hide anymore, Sebastian. Make them see—’
‘Me?’
‘Yes,’ she agreed, and she waited. Even though their time was almost up. The afternoon gala was ready to proceed…but he needed time, and she’d give him a little more.
He nodded and pocketed the ring. Then he did it. He pushed his fingers between hers. Entwined them until the pads of his fingers pressed against her knuckles.
‘For Amelia,’ he said, ‘and after…’ His throat bulged.
‘After?’
‘You will wear my ring,’ he said, and pulled her into step beside him.
Aurora’s heart swelled.
She knew the truth.
Today, it was for him.
She squeezed his hand tighter and let him lead her up the stairs of wood.
And after…
Her heart soared.
She’d marry him for herself. But only for the right reason.
For love.
Sebastian guided Aurora out of the forest.Slowly.
