After Winona and Jackson finished getting ready, they left their suite and headed to the dining hall. Ares was already there with Astrid. Vanessa sat beside her mother, and Winona quietly wondered why her father wasn’t around. Before she could even ask, Jackson spoke up.

“Vanessa said her Daddy can’t come.”

Winona blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips. Jackson had answered for her before she even had the chance to ask. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, and together they walked ...