Chapter 9

• Alaric’s POV.
• Watching Francesca, I couldn’t ignore the shift in her over the past few days. Since Emilia had come into our lives, my daughter had started to smile more, her laughter echoing through the house in ways I hadn’t heard in far too long. She was brighter, more joyful, and that alone made me feel less stressed. It was like a burden if some sort had been lifted off my shoulders.
• With Emilia at the hospital today, seeing her brother through surgery, I’d decided to take the day off to spend it with Francesca. Work could wait for once. My daughter needed me, and I wanted to give her something real—something beyond my often-busy, distracted self. Besides, it wasn’t often that I saw her this happy. She deserved this, even if just for the day.