For the first time in what felt like forever—
There was peace.
Audrey leaned back against the soft cushions, her hand resting lightly on her stomach as sunlight streamed through the curtains. The tension that had once lived in her chest had eased, replaced by something quieter… something fragile.
"Have you taken your supplements?"
Nathan's voice came from behind her as he stepped into the room, his gaze settling on her immediately.
"I have," Audrey replied softly.
Nathan placed a neatly packed box on the table beside her.
"And this?" she asked.
"More vitamins," he said. "And fruits."
Audrey sighed lightly. "Nathan… I already have too much."
"It's not enough."
Before she could respond, there was a knock.
A staff member entered, followed by another carrying more packages.
"Miss Audrey, these just arrived."
Audrey frowned. "Again?"
Nathan didn't look surprised.
"These aren't mine," he said.
She paused. "Then whose?"
"My father's."
Audrey blinked.
"He sends something every day."
Her gaze softened as she looked at the packages.
Carefully chosen. Thoughtful.
For a man who once doubted her, this silent care meant more than words.
Across the city—
Another kind of calm existed.
One filled with excitement… and ambition.
Damian stood in the middle of a luxurious room, reviewing a stack of documents while Serene sat nearby, flipping through a wedding planner.
"No, the venue has to be bigger," Serene said, tapping her pen against the page. "We're inviting high-profile guests. It has to be perfect."
Damian glanced at her. "Then change it."
"I already told them," she replied. "But I want everything flawless. The theme, the decor, the press coverage—everything."
Damian smirked slightly. "You're enjoying this."
"Of course I am," she said with a smile. "This wedding will be the event of the year."
Their engagement had already taken over the internet.
Now—
They were making sure the wedding would dominate it.
At the Laurent estate, preparations were already in motion.
Staff moved around efficiently, carrying fabrics, decorations, and schedules.
Seated at the center of it all was Isabella Laurent—Nathan's elder sister and Damian's mother.
Elegant. Composed.
And deeply dissatisfied.
"Those centerpieces don't match the theme," she said sharply. "Replace them."
"Yes, ma'am."
Serene approached her, smiling. "Everything is coming together beautifully."
Isabella returned a polite smile.
"It has to," she said.
But the moment Serene walked away, her expression darkened.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
Nathan was meant to clash with their father.
There was supposed to be division.
And in that chaos—
Damian would rise.
Her son would gain favor.
Her son would take the CEO position.
But instead—
Nathan had strengthened his place.
Audrey had been accepted.
And once again—
Isabella had failed.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
This wasn't over.
Later that afternoon—
At an upscale restaurant, Isabella sat across from Serene's mother, a wealthy and influential woman known for her refined taste.
"This wedding will be unforgettable," Serene's mother said with satisfaction.
"It already is," Isabella replied calmly.
Serene's mother studied her. "You don't seem happy."
"I am," Isabella said.
But the answer wasn't convincing.
Serene's mother noticed—
But she didn't understand why.
To her, everything was going perfectly.
Then—
A voice interrupted.
"Well… this is quite the gathering."
Both women turned.
A woman stood there, elegant and poised, her presence commanding attention.
Clara Voss.
Audrey's stepmother.
She smiled slightly and took a seat without waiting to be invited.
Serene's mother raised a brow. "I didn't know you'd be joining us."
"I wasn't invited," Clara replied smoothly. "But I assumed I wouldn't be turned away."
Isabella's gaze sharpened immediately.
"What do you want?" she asked coldly.
Clara leaned back, crossing her legs.
"To talk."
Serene's mother glanced between them, sensing the sudden tension.
"You two… know each other?" she asked.
Clara chuckled softly. "We go way back."
Isabella's expression darkened. "That's enough."
But Clara didn't stop.
"We've handled worse situations than this together," she said quietly.
Serene's mother frowned. "What situations?"
Silence.
Neither woman answered.
The air grew heavy.
Clara leaned forward slightly, her tone lowering.
"Audrey is becoming a problem."
Isabella didn't deny it.
"She always was."
Serene's mother looked between them, confusion settling in.
"This sounds like more than just wedding concerns," she said carefully.
"It is," Clara replied calmly.
Isabella exhaled slowly.
"We had plans," she said.
"And those plans are falling apart," Clara added.
Their eyes met briefly—
An understanding passing between them.
Serene's mother felt it—
But didn't understand it.
"What exactly are you both talking about?" she asked.
Clara smiled.
"You don't need to worry about that," she said lightly. "Focus on your daughter's wedding."
The dismissal was polite—
But firm.
Serene's mother didn't like it.
But she let it go.
For now.
As the conversation shifted back to wedding plans—
Isabella remained quiet.
Her mind was already working.
Clara's presence meant one thing—
Things were about to change again.
Elsewhere, unaware of the quiet alliance forming—
Audrey stood in front of the mirror, her hand resting gently on her stomach.
For now—
She had peace.
Care.
Protection.
But deep down—
She knew.
It wouldn't last.