"Ma’am, our men tracked Mr. Wayne to the interior designer, Fleur Swann. After that, he disappeared, and no one has seen him return home," the informant reported.

Carrie’s expression darkened instantly.

"I told you to keep watching him," she snapped. "Find out where he is."

A nervous silence followed before the man sighed.

"With all due respect, ma’am, I nearly got caught by Mr. Wayne’s security team. I’m not risking my life anymore."

Before Carrie could respond, the call ended.

The informant had made his decision. No amount of money was worth becoming an enemy of Christian Wayne.

Carrie lowered the phone slowly, her grip tightening until her knuckles turned white.

"That pathetic woman..." she hissed through clenched teeth.

She began pacing the room, fury simmering beneath the surface.

"Just because she resembles Christian’s late wife, she thinks she can take my place?"

Her lips curled into a cold smile.

"Never. I was his first love. And I’ll make sure I’m the last."

***

The following morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, spilling across the bed.

Christian stirred with a quiet groan before slowly opening his eyes. The first thing he noticed wasn’t the light –– it was the familiar floral scent surrounding him.

A small, warm body rested comfortably against his chest, wrapped securely in his embrace.

Looking down, he found Fleur sleeping peacefully beside him.

A light smile spread across his face almost instantly.

He remained perfectly still, unwilling to disturb her. Simply watching her breathe was enough to fill him with a happiness he hadn’t experienced in years.

During the night, they had unconsciously tangled themselves together beneath the blankets, as though neither of them wanted to let go.

If winning one ridiculous challenge had earned him a morning like this, he decided he would gladly accept every challenge she ever gave him.

Carefully, he brushed a few loose strands of blonde hair away from her face. His fingertips paused when he noticed the faint reddish marks scattered along her neck and shoulder.

His expression softened.

Those tiny reminders made something fiercely possessive stir inside him.

Not because they marked ownership, but because they reminded him that, after so many years apart, she was finally back within his reach.

This time, he refused to lose her again.

A wave of regret settled heavily over him.

How many mornings had he wasted? How many chances had he thrown away?

While Fleur had once been beside him, he’d buried himself in work, alcohol, and endless ambition.

He had mistaken power for happiness. Only after losing her did he understand what truly mattered.

The realization still haunted him.

Perhaps he deserved every sleepless night that followed her departure.

But fate had offered him another chance. This time, he intended to fight for her with everything he had.

His phone suddenly vibrated on the bedside table.

The screen displayed Lucas’s name. Reluctantly, Christian leaned down and kissed Fleur’s forehead.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

Carefully slipping from the bed, he made sure not to disturb her.

Before leaving, he noticed her alarm was about to ring. Smiling to himself, he switched it off. She deserved to sleep a little longer.

After quietly dressing in yesterday’s clothes, he cast one last lingering glance toward the sleeping woman before stepping out of the bedroom and gently closing the door behind him.

Only then did he answer the call.

"What is it?"

His voice was once again cold and commanding.

"Boss," Lucas said, "the shipment has arrived. Mr. Rivers insists you come personally to finalize the exchange."

Christian rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I’m not coming."

Lucas hesitated.

"Alpha... if we refuse, we’ll be short on supplies. We lost a considerable amount during the last conflict."

"I heard you." Christian’s tone remained unwavering. "If Rivers wants my business, he plays by my rules."

Another pause.

"But—"

"No." The single word ended the discussion. "I’m Christian Wayne. I don’t negotiate under pressure. If he doesn’t like it, he can take his business elsewhere."

Without waiting for another response, Christian ended the call.

There had been a time when power was everything to him. He had sacrificed countless things to build his empire. Now, for the first time, none of it seemed as important as the woman still sleeping in the next room.

If choosing Fleur meant risking part of his empire... He wouldn’t hesitate.

His gaze drifted toward the clock. The twins would need to leave for school soon.

Quietly, he walked down the hallway and opened their bedroom door.

The early morning light painted the room in warm shades of gold. Chloe and Gabriel slept soundly in their bunk beds.

The peaceful sight brought an unexpected smile to his face.

He pulled back the curtains slightly before approaching the beds.

"Rise and shine," he said gently. "Time to get up."

Chloe stirred first from the top bunk, rubbing her sleepy eyes. A moment later, Gabriel yawned dramatically from below.

"Good morning," Christian greeted them. "We’ve got school today."

Chloe stretched both arms toward him. Without a word, Christian understood. Chuckling, he carefully lifted her down from the top bunk.

The moment her feet touched the floor, she wrapped both arms around his neck.

"Daddy..." Her sleepy voice melted his heart. "I want five more minutes."

He kissed the top of her head. "If you sleep five more minutes, you’ll be late, Princess."

Chloe groaned dramatically. "No school."

His smile widened.

Stubborn little girl.

Gabriel climbed out of bed while stretching. "Where’s Mom?"

"Still sleeping." Christian kept his voice low. "Let’s let her rest."

Gabriel nodded. "She was tired."

"Exactly."

Carrying Chloe into the bathroom, Christian helped her squeeze toothpaste onto her toothbrush.

"Brush your teeth first."

Chloe obediently began brushing. Meanwhile, Christian looked toward Gabriel.

"Can you show me where today’s clothes are?"

Gabriel pointed toward the wardrobe.

"Mom organizes everything every Sunday." He sounded oddly proud. "Our outfits are already sorted."

Christian glanced at the neatly arranged shelves. Another quiet reminder of how thoughtfully Fleur cared for her children. She truly had thought of everything.

Retrieving the clothes for the day, he handed Chloe hers before turning back to Gabriel.

"You freshen up while your sister gets dressed. I’ll help whoever finishes last."

"Okay."

Just then, someone knocked lightly before opening the bedroom door.

Lea stepped inside. "Chloe, Gabriel, wake u—"

The words died on her lips. Her eyebrows shot all the way to her hairline.

Christian Wayne was standing in the middle of the room, calmly helping the children get ready for school.

"...Good morning," she said uncertainly. "What are you doing?"

"Good morning, Ms. Undine."

Christian acknowledged her with a brief nod before returning his attention to Chloe.

"I’m helping my children get ready."

The simple sentence froze Lea in place.

"My... children?"

Her jaw nearly hit the floor.

She looked from Christian...

...to the twins...

...then back to Christian again.

Recovering slightly, she cleared her throat.

"I can take over from here."

Christian frowned as though the suggestion made no sense.

"Why would you?"

Lea widened her eyes once more.

"As long as I’m here," he continued matter-of-factly, "there’s no reason for anyone else to look after my children."

Lea stood speechless, trying to process what she had just heard.

Somehow... Over the course of a single night... The world’s most feared alpha king had transformed into an unexpectedly devoted father.