Chapter 20

• Asona's POV
• In the quiet, dimly lit room, I lay propped up against pillows, my eyes wide with a mix of exhaustion and awe. My pup swaddled tightly in a soft blanket, resting in my arms. Tiny fingers curled around my thumb, and my baby's eyes fluttered open briefly, revealing a deep, soulful gaze that seemed to connect with my very heart.
• Tears rolled onto my cheeks as I looked down at my child, a small smile forming despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within me. The circumstances of the conception had been far from ideal, a storm that had left scars on my soul. Yet, at this moment, all that pain seemed to fade into the background.