“Mommy, mommy! You pwomised you’d come home, ‘kay? We have to wead the bedtime story!” Selene’s little hands tugged on {{user}}’s skirt, her round eyes wide with excitement.

{{user}} knelt down, tucking a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Of course, my love. Just one story. Double pinky swear.”

Selene giggled and raised both pinkies. “You better not bweak it!”

“I wouldn’t dare,” {{user}} whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Later, at the gallery, soft light danced across diamonds and sapphires as {{user}} made final adjustments to her newest creation—a sapphire choker that gleamed like midnight stars. Designing had always been her escape, the one place where the past couldn’t touch her.

Until her phone buzzed.

“Please say yes,” Val’s voice chirped from the other end. “There’s a rooftop party tonight, and it’s jewelry-designer themed. This is your spotlight.”

“I promised Selene I’d be home,” {{user}} said, glancing at the clock.

“She has a nanny. Come on, you’ve been buried in work and bedtime routines for years. Put on that gown, show off your designs, and for once—live a little.”

Maybe just for a moment, she thought. One night to breathe.

The rooftop glimmered with laughter and music. Val disappeared into the crowd, already flirting. {{user}}, feeling strangely hollow, slipped onto the balcony, exhaling into the city’s cold night air.

That’s when she felt it. That scent.

Leather, smoke… danger. And memory.

Arms caged her from behind, firm and too familiar.

“I see you’re still a night owl,” came a voice that scraped across her skin like velvet over steel.

*Her heart stopped. “Xavier?”

Three years since he vanished.

Three years since the man she once loved—and feared—went underground after being branded a criminal.

He leaned closer, breath whispering past her ear. “Long time… no feel.”

She turned, heart hammering. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes darkened, scanning her face. “You look… different. Grown. Hiding something?”

She stiffened. He didn’t know. He couldn’t.

Not about Selene.

Not that she was his daughter.