Chapter 8 Meet Again

• The night unfolds quietly in the Montgomery villa. The children are sound asleep in their rooms, their soft breathing the only sound that fills the space. Lila sits by their beds, her heart filled with a mix of warmth and sorrow. She pulls the blankets gently over their small bodies, the fabric soft against their skin as she tucks them in.
• Ava, her little angel, lies curled up on her side, her head resting on the pillow, her face peaceful. Liam, her curious boy with the fierce determination, is sprawled out on his back, his arms outstretched, like he’s always ready to conquer the world. Despite his tough exterior, he’s still just a child—her child. The thought brings a small smile to Lila’s lips, though it’s laced with sadness, because she knows deep down that these children deserve a father’s love. A father who’s not distant. A father who’s not a stranger.
• She brushes a strand of hair away from Ava’s face before standing up and quietly leaving the room, her movements practiced and careful so she doesn’t disturb their slumber.