She stood at the edge of the garden, her gaze soft as she watched Valérien playing with their son.
His tall, commanding frame moved with an unexpected grace as he lifted the boy into the air, twirling him around. Laughter rang through the air, their son's joy infectious as he clung to his father's strong arms.
Her heart swelled in her chest. There was something about watching Valérien like this-so playful, so handsome-that stirred feelings she hadn't anticipated.
Valérien caught her gaze from across the garden. His striking blue eyes locked onto hers, and her heart fluttered, heat rising to her cheeks. She looked away quickly, flustered by how deeply he affected her.
Despite everything, she found herself falling for him more with each passing day. His height, his strength-once things that had terrified her-now became the same things she found comfort in, knowing that with his gentler side, she had someone powerful to protect her.
Years had passed since their first days of marriage, and Valérien had changed. The cold, cruel man who once sought control over her had softened with time. The birth of their children had reshaped him in ways she hadn't expected. He had become gentler, more patient. The fury that once ruled him seemed to have dissipated, replaced by an affection he now showed without hesitation.
He set their son down and walked toward her, his lips curving into a rare smile.
Her breath caught as he approached. He was still breathtakingly handsome, his blonde hair catching the sunlight, his blue eyes sparkling with warmth she once feared she'd never see. Even now, after all these years, he could make her heart race with just a look.
Valérien stopped in front of her, his hand moving to her waist as he leaned in close, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead.
"You've been watching me," he said, his voice steady, with a trace of amusement.
"I was but... observing," she murmured, her eyes lowered. "You with our son... it is a beautiful sight."
He gave a slight nod, a wisp of a smile crossing his face.
She looked up at him, seeing not just the man who had once dominated her life, but a father, a husband who had found peace.
Her heart swelled with relief and love, emotions that had been so foreign in the beginning of their marriage.
"You're different now," she whispered, meeting his gaze. "Gentler."
He gently brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I've changed," he said quietly.
His hand lingered at her waist, the touch reassuring, no longer the demanding grasp she had once known. "For you. For him." He nodded toward their son, who was now chasing after a butterfly, carefree and laughing.
"A father must learn. I was not always as I should be."
"Time has its way," she said.
Valérien's eyes softened as he smiled down at her. "I don't want to be that man anymore. Not with you," he said, leaning down to kiss her lips softly this time, without the harshness of the past.
His fingers traced the curve of her waist before settling on her rounded belly-an unspoken promise of the new life growing inside her.
"I want more," he whispered against her lips, a playful glint in his eyes. "One isn't enough. I want to build a family with you... many more heirs."
She couldn't help but laugh
For the first time in a long while, she felt hope.
*****
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