Chapter 0835
Valerie, for her part, saw nothing but love in Alden’s every action toward her daughter.
Marcus, on the other hand, felt something… different.
Was it anger? Or was it pain–the realization that his little girl was no longer just his baby?
He hadn’t fully come to terms with the changes in their lives.
And he wasn’t sure he ever would.
Serenity stirred, her voice laced with sleep.
“Alden… my love… what happened?”
Alden brushed a hand over her hair.
“Dearest, you look exhausted. I think it’s best if you go home with your parents. You’ll be more comfortable there. You can get proper rest and eat better than you would here.”
“But I want to stay with you. I want to support you through this.”
“My love, right now, the most important thing is our baby. You shouldn’t be dealing with so much stress. If I could, I’d also send my father’s wife home, but she refuses to leave.”
His eyes softened.
“Please, love… just give me that peace of mind. Once my father is out of surgery, I’ll come get you. But for now… please go home.”
Serenity hesitated.
“Alden…”
Valerie took a step forward, placing a gentle hand on her daughter’s arm.
“Dear… you must be exhausted. Come home with us. You could use a warm bath and a soft bed. Your father and I are worried that you haven’t been getting enough rest.”
Serenity’s eyes welled with tears.
“Mom…”
Valerie immediately sat beside her, wrapping her arms around her daughter.
“My girl…”
She held her, rocking her slightly.
The moment was both tender and strange.
Both Alden and Marcus watched as Valerie cried and laughed at the same time, completely overwhelmed by emotion.
“My little girl… you’re going to make me a grandmother. Our babies will be almost the same age.”
Serenity sobbed.
“Mom, forgive me! I never wanted to disappoint you, but-
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“No buts, Serene. My little girl, my baby… Life happens like this. Love comes when you least expect it and with the last person you’d imagine.”
She smiled through her tears.
“Just look at your father and me. If you had told us when we were younger that we’d end up together, we would have laughed. But here we are–fifteen years of marriage later.”
Serenity clung to her mother.
“Thank you, Mom… You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
Valerie was shocked.
Serenity had always been strong, independent–never the type to say something so openly emotional.
It had to be the pregnancy hormones.
Still, it warmed her heart.
Her baby was growing up.
Her little girl was now a woman–a mother–to–be.
“Alright, alright, let’s get you home. You need a nice warm bath, some cozy pajamas, and a good nap in a real bed
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Serenity sniffled.
བས་བ་པ་
“John–we need to pick him up. He’s at Maximus’s place with Emma.”
Marcus stepped in.
“Dear, it’s the middle of the night. Go home and rest. In a few hours, I’ll pick him up myself. You and your mother need sleep. I refuse to let my grandchild go through this stress.”
Seeing there was no way around it, Serenity reluctantly agreed to leave.
Before she went, Alden kissed her sweetly, watching as she left with her parents.
Marcus…
Marcus still struggled to accept it.
The sight of another man touching his daughter–no matter how lovingly–was something he wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to.
Over and over, he repeated in his head:
‘He is your son–in–law. He is the man your daughter loves.”
Beside him, Valerie could see the storm brewing inside him
She placed a gentle hand on his arm.
“Marcus, my love… Breathe. That boy is the man our daughter chose. We have to accept that.‘
He exhaled sharply.
“I still don’t trust Mr. Perfect. There has to be something wrong with him. No one is that flawless.”
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Valerie raised an eyebrow.
“You worked closely with him. You’ve seen how he handles himself. Isn’t that enough?”
Marcus huffed.
“No. Not when it comes to my princess.”
Valerie smirked.
“Why are you acting like this? You were the one trying to calm me down earlier.”
He shot her a look.
“Yeah, well, you were the one who lost it when you first found out.”
Valerie shrugged.
“And yet, the boy convinced me. Besides, Serenity isn’t stupid. She’s your daughter. She wouldn’t have chosen him if he wasn’t worth it.”
Marcus said nothing.
But deep down, he knew she was right.
[Present Day]
Valerie and Serenity headed downstairs to the dining room.
Marcus and John were already eating breakfast.
But as soon as Serenity caught the scent of the food-
Her stomach lurched.
She barely had time to react before running straight to the bathroom.
Valerie immediately followed her.
Marcus, seeing the scene unfold, stood up and made his way after them.
“Val? Serenity? Is everything okay?”
Valerie sighed. “Yes, Marcus. It’s just morning sickness. Something in breakfast must have made her nauseous. We’ll be out in a second.”
Marcus frowned.
“Do you need help?”
“No. Just go back to breakfast. Actually–open a window. Maybe clear out some of the food smell.”
Marcus nodded.
Then hesitated.
“I was planning to visit the hospital today. Maybe Serenity should come with me. I’m sure the baby misses his dad.
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Valerie glanced back at her daughter.
Serenity wiped her face with a damp towel, taking slow, deep breaths.
“Besides,” Marcus continued, “remember–Camille is arriving with the babies today. The house is about to get… a lot more crowded.”
