Alina

The morning sunlight poured softly through the nursery window. Hope was awake, cooing and stretching her tiny arms. I lifted her into my lap, brushing the soft wisps of hair from her eyes.

She giggled, kicking her little legs, and I laughed softly. “You’re happy today, aren’t you, little one?”

For a moment, I let myself breathe. The past weeks of chaos, threats, and endless vigilance felt distant here in the warmth of our home. Ares had reclaimed Sterling Industries, the ...