“Auntie Isla, can I play with your babies?” Desmond asked, pouting deeply, his lips pushed forward in the way only a child could manage.
His small hands were clasped together in front of him, his green eyes wide with hope as he looked up at Isla.
Ista laughed softly.
Sarah laughed too, shaking her head slowly.
They were inside the nursery, a large and warm room filled with soft light and calm colors. The room smelled faintly of baby powder and clean linen. Isla sat comfortably on the nursing chair, her body relaxed. She had been breastfeeding the babies quietly.
Two nannies stood nearby, each gently patting the backs of the baby boys so they could burp properly. Their movements were slow and they were careful and gentle.
Isla had just finished feeding the twins.
Now, she was feeding Elara.
Elara was nestled close to Isla’s chest, her tiny fingers curled lightly against Isla’s skin. Her eyes were half closed, peaceful and calm.
Desmond, however, was more interested in the baby boys.
He shifted from one foot to the other, clearly unhappythat he wasn’t allowed to touch them.
“Desmond,” Sarah said softly, crouching slightly to his level, “stop whining. They are still very small. You can’t play with them yet. You have to wait until they grow bigger.”
Desmond frowned.
His shoulders dropped, and his face fell. For a moment, it Looked like he was going to argue. But after a few seconds, he sighed dramatically, just like a child who knew he had lost the battle.
“Okay, mummy,” he said quietly.
Isla smiled warmly at him.
“Desmond, dear,” Isla said gently, “come here and touch Elara’s hand.”
The effect was instant.
Desmond’s green eyes lit up like tiny stars. His sadness vanished completely. He ran forward excitedly, stopping just beside Isla.
What surprised everyone was how gentle he became.
He stretched out his small finger and touched Elara’s tiny hand very carefully, as if she might break if he pulled too hard.
Sarah watched with wide eyes.Isla’s heart melted and smiled at the little boy.
Just then, Elara shifted slightly.
Her mouth was still on Isla’s breast, but her eyes slowly opened. She looked directly at Desmond.
And Isla could swear she saw Elara smile.
It was small. Very small. But it was there.
“No way,” Sarah said quickly, her eyes widening. “There’s no way your daughter just smiled at Desmond.”
“I saw it myself,” Isla replied softly, her voice full of wonder.
Sarah leaned closer.
“She’s too young.”
“Maybe,” Isla said, smiling, “but she did.”
For a moment, the nursery felt even warmer, filled with quiet joy and innocence.
***
Later, Isla and Sarah were downstairs in the sitting room.
The large space felt peaceful, filled with soft furniture and warm colors. The sunlight filtered in through the curtains, making the room glow gently.
Desmond was somewhere in the mansion, his laughter echoing faintly from time to time.Isla and Sarah sat together, talking. They talked about many things.
Sarah had no idea about the other threats. She didn’t know Isla had been away for months. She didn’t know how close Isla had been to death.
So Isla told her everything.
She spoke slowly, choosing her words. She explained how everything started, how fear followed them everywhere, how they hid her far away, how people thought she was missing. All the drama. Everything.
She explained how they finally caught the people responsible.
Sarah listened with her mouth slightly open.
“It sounds like a movie,” Sarah said quietly when Isla finished, “It doesn’t feel real.”
“I know,” Isla replied. “But it was.”
Sarah shook her head slowly.
“But everything is fine now,” Isla said at last. “No more threats.”
Sarah sighed in relief. “Thank God.”
Then she frowned slightly. “But how could someone like Magdalene be involved in something like that? She was like a big auntie.”Isla nodded slowly.


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