I nearly dropped my phone, staring at those three simple words on the screen.
My heart slamd against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest. With trembling fingers, I hastily wrapped myself in my silk robe, not even bothering to call Lily for assistance.
My damp hair clung to my neck as I rushed downstairs, leaving wet footprints across the polished hardwood floors.
Clayton, Rachel, and Sean sat in the living room, their conversation about today’s security arrangents stopping abruptly when they saw .
"Ms. Shaw, is everything alright?" Clayton rose imdiately, his brow furrowed with concern.
I couldn’t form words. My mind was already outside, beyond those heavy oak doors. Without responding, I pushed past them and hurried through the garden, my bare feet padding along the stone pathway. The cool morning air prickled against my skin, but I barely noticed.
And then I saw him.
Marcus Murphy stood at the edge of my property, wearing black casual clothes instead of his customary tailored suits. A leather suitcase rested by his feet, and fatigue lined his face.
He looked nothing like the polished, untouchable Murphy scion—he looked like a man who had traveled through the night without rest.
"Mr. Murphy?" Rachel’s voice behind was pitched with shock as she rushed forward to open the gate.
Marcus stepped onto the property with his usual self-assured stride, stopping directly in front of . His lips curved into that familiar half-smile that always made my stomach flip.
"I was handling so business," he said, his deep voice resonating through my body. "Thought I’d stop by since it’s close. Just to check on you."
I stared at him, speechless. We had mutually ended whatever undefined relationship we’d had. We had returned to being strangers-at least that’s what I’d believed. So what was this? What was he doing?
His gaze dropped to my midsection, lingering on the pronounced curve of my six-month pregnant belly.
Sothing flickered in his eyes-an emotion too complex to na, too quick to analyze.
"Your hair is still wet. You shouldn’t be outside like this," he said, his tone gently scolding.
Before I could respond, he bent down and lifted into his arms with effortless strength. I heard Rachel’s sharp intake of breath behind us, saw Sean’s eyebrows shoot toward his hairline. Yet sohow, I wasn’t surprised-this was exactly the kind of thing Marcus Murphy would do.
He carried back into the house, past the stunned faces of my staff.
Their expressions all asked the sa silent question: _What is he doing here again?_
When he finally set down on the living room’s leather sofa, I found my voice again. I pulled my robe tighter around myself, trying to project a composure I didn’t feel.
"Did you co back specifically for my birthday?" I asked, my words escaping before I could filter them.
Marcus’s POV
Of course I had. I’d been planning this day for months, ticulously arranging my schedule, then leaving Peter and my entire team overseas to return alone. Right now, nobody except the Shaw household knew I was back in Skyview City. Warmth surged through , though my exterior remained composed.
"If I say no, will I be sleeping on the street tonight?" I said with half a smile, then surveyed the room, my voice dropping lower. "Don’t tell anyone I’m back. Not even the Murphy family."
The staff nodded dutifully. Rachel, Clayton, and Sean all gave their solemn promises, though I could tell they found my behavior unusual-like a fugitive returning ho. I couldn’t give them the full truth, nor did I want Anna to worry.
Anna’s gaze sharpened. "Has sothing happened?"
Looking into her concerned eyes made sothing soften inside . If 1 disappeared suddenly again like before, this stubborn woman would likely explode and never let close again. When I’d maintained my distance over the years, I’d sohow managed. But once you ve touched what you desire, letting go becos impossible. These past months had been agonizingly long.
"Rivals have been watching closely.
I was careful coming back-changed vehicles twice," I said casually, omitting how I’d transited through a neighboring country due to security concerns. No need to tarnish her image of as collected and confident.
Anna looked directly at . "So you ca back specifically for my birthday?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation, noticing the slight twitch of her eyebrow.
She appeared remarkably composed as she turned to Rachel. "Please have the kitchen prepare sothing for Marcus, and ready a guest room."
"Which room, Ms. Shaw?" Rachel asked.
"The third floor," Anna replied.
I couldn’t help but notice that previous guests at Shaw Estate typically stayed in first-floor guest rooms. The third floor was closer to her master bedroom —a realization that kindled a flicker of hope in my chest.
Anna addressed again. "Uncle Marcus, please freshen up. I need to change." She was still in her robe, hardly appropriate for receiving guests.
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her practical response. I’d never considered myself an outsider here, so I stood up.
"I’ll walk you upstairs."
My gaze inadvertently settled on her slightly rounded belly, stirring sothing unprecedented within -there was everything I wanted to protect.
After showering, I found Anna sitting in a small second-floor sitting room, reading with classical music playing softly. She didn’t look up when I entered.
"Food just arrived. You should eat sothing," she said calmly, her manner no longer formal as it would be with an elder, but carrying an ineffable intimacy.
Secretly pleased, I placed my prepared gifts on the coffee table in front of her and sat down to enjoy my al.
After dinner, Rachel cleared the dishes and everyone withdrew, leaving Anna to finally pick up my gifts. Seeing three jewelry boxes, she asked with surprise, "Uncle Marcus, what does this an?"
Instead of answering, I opened all three boxes. A sapphire necklace, clearly valuable; and two erald-green jade bracelets, obviously intended for children.
"Was it Catherine who told you?"
Anna asked, her gaze probing.
I betrayed my niece without hesitation:
"She told to make give up."
Anna studied intently. "Aren’t you curious about who their father is?"
I t her eyes, my voice steady and determined. "If you’ll allow it, I can be their father." My heart raced as I spoke—my first explicit expression of my feelings, and my first clear realization that I would give everything for her and these children.
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