Chapter 106 Or Not To Have

• Baelakis POV
• The night passed in a gentle blur of dreams and soft murmurs. I awoke to the soft light of dawn creeping through the thin curtains of the living room, casting a pale glow across the room. The stillness of the morning was comforting, almost peaceful. Cyrus’ arm was wrapped around me, his warmth a welcome presence as I lay beside him on the floor, our makeshift bed a pile of blankets that we had pulled together the night before. The scent of pine and earth from the nearby forest hung in the air, mingling with the faint warmth of the early morning sun. I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, and instinctively turned my head to the side. Cyrus lay next to me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His arm was draped protectively over me, even in his sleep.
• Across the room, my parents were still asleep, tangled in each other’s arms on the couch. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight, their faces softened by sleep, the lines of worry that usually marked their features temporarily smoothed out. Natalia and Clyde were on the other couch, curled up together, with Ardyn nestled between them. The little boy’s head rested on Natalia’s lap, her hand gently stroking his hair even in her sleep.