Christian lounged on the sofa, his arm draped possessively around his wife, a rare softness settling over his typically intense demeanor. The twins were sprawled on the other couch, mid-banter as the scent of freshly baked cake filled the air.

Elina set her plate down, her mischievous eyes sparkling as she spoke, “You know, Mom, half my friends' dads practically drool when they see you. It's kind of embarrassing.”

Christian’s hand froze mid-reach for his coffee. His dark eyes snapped to Elina, then back to his wife. A slow, dangerous smile tugged at his lips. “Excuse me?” he said, his tone low and edged with his trademark intensity.

Elina laughed, unfazed. “What? I’m just saying! Mom’s like, ridiculously gorgeous. Everyone thinks so.”

Aiden smirked, leaning back. “She’s not wrong, Dad. The guys at school can’t believe she’s our mom either.”

Christian’s grip on his wife tightened protectively, his gaze flicking over her like she might vanish any second. “Your mom is mine. I couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks—or drools over. And Elina,” he added, his tone sharpening, “you’ll stop entertaining such conversations with your friends.”

Elina rolled her eyes but grinned. “Relax, Dad. It’s not my fault you married a literal goddess.”

Christian chuckled, leaning back with his plate balanced on his knee, his free hand sliding to his wife’s waist. Despite the amusement, his eyes darkened as they found hers. “For the record, I’d burn the world down before I let anyone so much as think they could have you. Don’t ever forget that.”

To him, there was no limit to what he’d do to keep his world intact—and his world began and ended with her.