As dawn's first pale light slipped through the curtains, Clare woke up aching, every tiny movement making her wince. The man beside her was still asleep. He was almost unfairly handsome—thick brows, a sharply cut nose—but even in sleep, his forehead was creased with tension.

She couldn't remember when she'd finally drifted off, but the sudden panic to find her phone snapped her into action. It lay shattered on the floor, and she scrambled to gather the pieces, praying her mother hadn't called. Soon, she'd have the money for her mom's surgery. Soon, things would finally get better.

The second she powered it on, her phone exploded with missed calls and messages—over thirty missed calls and more than twenty texts, all from Fiona Lang, demanding to know where she was. But the last message made her stomach drop: "Where were you last night? You left Mr. Lewis waiting all night!"

Left waiting all night?

Clare glanced back at the man in the bed. Had she gone to the wrong room? Panic clawed at her chest as she spotted the room key on the table. The number 836 was engraved right there. She'd been such a nervous wreck last night, she'd walked straight into the wrong room. Worst mistake ever.

How the hell was she supposed to explain this when he woke up? Sorry, I accidentally walked into the wrong room?

Moving quickly, she pulled on the man's shirt. Her own clothes were way too torn up to wear after the wild night before. Keeping one eye on the bed to make sure he was still asleep, she stuffed the cash from the table into her bag. Wrong room or not, after everything that had happened, she figured she'd earned it. Before leaving, she scribbled a note on a piece of paper from the nightstand: "Service fee collected!"

When Lucien Bradley woke, Clare was already gone. He picked up the note she'd left behind. Service fee collected! His eyes slid to the now-empty nightstand, and a slow, mischievous grin spread across his face. Did she really think she could just walk away like that?

He checked the time. Crap. He had a meeting this morning. After a quick shower, he ordered a fresh suit from the hotel lobby. Just before heading out, something on the floor caught his eye—a phone case. He picked it up. A cheerful, round-faced girl with dimples smiled back at him from the attached photo. The man chuckled under his breath.

"So that's who you are," he murmured. "You're mine now."

Six years later.

JFK International Airport.

“Oaky, come here. Let’s get your jacket on—and your little cap.” Axton Bradley held up a pink jacket for his little sister, Oaklynn Bradley. She stood there with her pacifier, eyes barely open, letting her brother fuss over her. Axton shot a glance at their mom, Clare, who was still dawdling. “Mom, it’s barely fifty degrees out. You trying to turn into a popsicle?”

Clare stood up, pulled on her coat, and pouted. “Axton, show a little respect. I’m your mother, you know!”

“Mommy, your buttons are all wrong,” Oaklynn pointed out in that adorable baby voice, staring up at Clare with big eyes and a tiny finger aimed at her crooked coat.

Clare sighed and didn’t bother with the buttons. “Alright, you two ready? If so, let’s move!”

Axton took Oaklynn’s hand as they stood in the plane aisle. Axton wore a sharp little racing outfit, looking proud and cute, while Oaklynn was in the pink version, pacifier still in place. A few passengers couldn’t stop staring at the adorable pair.

“Come on, hurry up. Aunt Harley’s waiting for us. Your mom has to go make amends, and it’s no easy task,” Clare said, scooping up both kids. They’d grown a lot lately; they definitely felt heavier.

“Mommy, what does ‘make amends’ mean?” Oaklynn asked, clinging to Clare’s neck, her big eyes full of questions.

Clare quickly carried the kids off the plane, set them down, and caught her breath before explaining, “It means I have to say sorry to Aunt Harley, even when it’s hard.”

Still confused, Oaklynn tilted her head. “But Mommy, why don’t you have a burden?”

Clare rubbed her forehead and turned to her son with a pleading look. She really couldn’t handle all of Oaklynn’s questions on her own.

Axton flashed a mischievous grin and held up three fingers. Clare bit her lip and raised two. Axton countered with four.

“You drive a hard bargain!” Clare said.

Axton smirked, cheeky as ever. “Sweetheart, I’m driving this bargain because I can.”

“Fine, three times a week. I’ll only eat salad three times,” Clare huffed. She’d never liked salad, but the doctor said she needed the vitamins. Three times a week was her absolute limit.

“Deal!” Axton gave her a smile so charming that Clare nearly lost her train of thought. She had to admit, some things just didn’t change.

Clare finally handed her lively little Oaklynn over to her son, Axton. The two kids walked hand in hand through the airport terminal, drawing admiring glances left and right from travelers.

"Wow, look at those kids—they're absolutely adorable!"

"Do you see that little girl with the pacifier? She's just too cute!"

"Oh! That little boy is going to be a heartbreaker one day!"

Once Clare exited the gate, she spotted Harleywaiting, and the sight of her friend filled her heart with warmth. They rushed into each other's arms, holding on tight.

"Clare! You vanished without a trace back then, and now you just show up out of nowhere. Honestly, I thought I'd never want to speak to you again..." Harley said, faking anger while tears streamed down her face.

Clare was crying too, and she understood perfectly. During those years away in an unfamiliar place, she'd often ached to come back to her dear friend.

"Aunt Harley, my mom came back to make things right," Oaklynn piped up, tugging on Harley's pants, her innocent eyes looking up at the tearful women.

Harley let go of Clare and looked down at the teary-eyed child, then glanced at Clare, incredulous. "This... this is...?"

"I want you to meet my most cherished family members," Clare said, lifting Axton with one arm and Oaklynn with the other. "This is my son, Axton Bradley, and my daughter, Oaklynn Bradley. I promised you a huge surprise!"

"What?!" Harley was completely floored by the sheer size of the surprise.

Oaklynn reached out for Harley, who quickly took her into her arms. Oaklynn planted two sweet kisses on Harley's cheek, making Harley smile involuntarily at the little girl's soft lips.

"Aunt Harley, aren't Oaklynn's kisses the best gift?" Oaklynn asked, her dimples deepening as she flashed a sweet smile, totally melting Harley's heart.

Harley nodded. "Oaklynn is so sweet!" She shifted her gaze to Axton, who was still held by Clare, and chuckled.

Axton felt a chill run down his spine and quickly buried his face in Clare's shoulder, determined not to give up his first kiss so easily!

"Wow, Clare, your son isn't the friendliest type!" Harley teased, secretly charmed by him.

Clare laughed. "Axton already has a little admirer. Belle can't resist him."

"Mom!" Axton protested, sliding down from Clare's hold.

"Mom!" Oaklynn echoed, sliding down from Harley's embrace.

Clare watched her two precious kids standing hand in hand before her, surrounded by the bustling crowd. She felt a rush of gratitude and met Harley's gaze, saying after a pause, "Harley, I'm really back. You have to take me in."

"Of course, my balcony has the perfect view," Harley replied, linking arms with Clare as they made their way out.