Juniper put her phone back into her purse and turned her gaze toward the window. Her heart was racing in a way she had never experienced that she couldn't quite name.

"You good, June?" Denzel asked.

"No," she whispered, finally turning to meet his gaze. "He's dying. I saw it. And I feel bad about it. I mean, I truly thought it wouldn't affect me. But seeing how pale he was... I realized he's in pain. He looked like he was drowning in regret."

She gripped the strap of her purse, her knuckles turning white. "He threw me out of that family instead of protecting me. I shouldn't care. I don't want to care about a man who abandoned me when I needed him most."

Denzel kept his eyes on the road. "It's human to care for the people you were once connected to, June. It's hard to truly hate your parents; that's never an easy feat, no matter what they've done."

He reached out, briefly placing a hand over hers on the center console before returning it to the wheel.

She nodded slowly and looked away, her mind wandering back to the conversation. She couldn't help but wonder what her mother could have possibly left behind, something so important that even now, Edward was desperate to give it to her.

Denzel pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of her building.

"Thank you for the ride," Juniper said, her voice soft but sincere. She clutched her purse close to her chest and stepped out. After giving him a small wave, she watched as Denzel reversed the car and disappeared down the road, his taillights fading into the distance.

Juniper headed to her apartment. After entering in, the first thing she did was write a mail to her manager for an urgent leave. She then booked the early morning flight to the capital and heaved a sigh.

"Let's bring an end to this," she murmured.

~~~~

"What's this?" Katelyn asked, her eyes darting from her palm to Sage's expectant face. He had handed her a velvety box wrapped neatly in shimmering gift paper, the corners tucked with precision.

"Check it out yourself," Sage said, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he leaned back to watch her reaction.

She carefully peeled away the paper and clicked open the circular velvety box. Nestled against the dark silk lining lay two exquisite diamond pendants, their delicate chains.

As she lifted them closer, she saw the fine craftsmanship, the diamonds were shaped into their initials.

"They are beautiful," she whispered, her fingers grazing the glittering diamonds of the first pendant.

"Let me put it on you," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

Katelyn turned her back to him, her heart fluttering as she felt his hands move her hair aside. His touch was warm as he fastened the delicate chain around her neck.

As soon as the pendant settled against her skin, the mark on her neck, the one Sage had given her, began to glow with a faint, golden light, reacting to their closeness. She reached up, grasping the diamond initials gently, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Picking up the second chain, she turned back to him. Sage tilted his head, allowing her to loop the chain around his neck. Once the clasp clicked into place, she didn't pull away; instead, she locked her hands behind his neck, drawing him closer.

"Never ever take it off," she said, her gaze locking onto his.

"I won't," he promised, his arms winding around her waist to pull her flush against him.

"You don't need to work as my assistant anymore. I've realized I don't like giving orders to you. Instead, I want to take them from you," Sage whispered, his hand caressing her cheek as she leaned in to kiss him.

"Sage Nightshade, you must stay professional about your job," she asserted with a playful firmness. "And I've actually grown to like my position. Maybe I had some irritation toward you in the beginning, but that's gone now."

In response, Sage lifted her effortlessly. Katelyn hooked her leg around him as she captured his lips, their movements fueled by a fervent energy. They landed on the soft mattress with a muffled thud.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. Her natural scent, heightened by the sweet pull of her pheromones.

"Noah called me Ana instead of aunty. Did you hear him?" Katelyn suddenly asked, her voice light with wonder.

Sage lifted his head, a look of mild surprise crossing his face. "I didn't. When did he say that?" He shifted slightly, resting his weight on his elbows. "He never even calls me uncle. He just blabbers random things at me whenever I'm in the room," he muttered with a mock-offended pout.

"Noah is still learning his words, Sage. But I love him so much. He's such a cutie," Katelyn stated, her eyes softening at the thought of the little one.

"It sounds like you're getting the itch to have a pup of your own," Sage smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief as he watched her reaction.

"Not yet. I definitely can't handle a pup right now," she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips. "But I do love babies. There's just something about them..."

Sage hummed in response, his gaze softening as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"They provide a warmth you don't even know exists in this world until they're here," Sage replied.

"Yes. Whenever Noah is in my arms, I feel like motherhood must be a blessing," Katelyn answered, her eyes distant as she pictured the small child. "It changes people, too. I've seen my brother become so gentle around him, so protective. It's like he's a different man."

"Yes, Gabriel has changed," Sage agreed. He shifted, pulling her closer so her head rested against his chest. "And when you're ready to have a pup, we'll have one. But I want you to enjoy your life with me first. Let's just explore the world together until then," he murmured.

He leaned down and kissed her again.