Sebastian’s POV

I stared at my son, pride surging through me—for him and for the profound bond between him and his mother. Not even her closest friends or biological parents knew what name she’d chosen for this pup, but she had told Leo.

“That’s wonderful,” the head nurse smiled down at Leo. “You’re already being an excellent big brother.”

Leo just nodded, then looked up at me.

“One afternoon we were lying on her bed eating ice cream because she was always craving it while pregnant. I asked what the baby’s name would be, and we spent hours looking up names until we finally picked those two.” A small smile tugged at his lips. “It was really fun. We laughed until our stomachs hurt.”

But quickly, tears filled his eyes again. I pulled him close, feeling a sharp pain cut through my chest. Seeing him suffer like this made me feel so fucking helpless.

“When is she going to get better?” Leo choked out. “I really miss her.”

I didn’t answer because I honestly had no fucking clue what to say. Even the chief physician couldn’t tell us when Thea would wake up, or if she would wake up at all.

The head nurse crouched down to Leo’s eye level and gently took hold of his arm. Leo didn’t let go of me but turned to face her.

“I have an idea. Would you like to be the first person to visit your sister?” she asked softly.

“Can I?” he asked, wiping his tears.

“Of course,” she nodded with a smile. “Let me go prepare, and I’ll come get you in a few minutes, okay?”

Leo nodded, a brief light flashing across his face. The pain was still there, but at least temporarily pushed to the background.

As the head nurse stood up, I gave her a grateful look. This seemingly small gesture actually gave Leo a reason to keep going—she’d given him hope, something to cling to while waiting for his mother to recover.

She nodded to the others in the room, then turned and left. I held Leo’s hand and led him to a seat in the waiting area. I felt more exhausted than I’d ever been, mentally and physically at my limit. I needed sleep, but I wouldn’t let myself rest until I’d checked on both Thea and the baby.

Just then, Roman, Jaxon, and Margaret walked in. Margaret was holding Jaxon’s hand tightly. They were talking while Roman trailed behind. I wasn’t sure if they’d told Wyatt the truth yet.

I watched as Wyatt’s gaze fell on Aurora. His eyes instantly brightened. He let go of Jaxon’s hand and ran toward Aurora. But she coldly pushed him away, her face showing disapproval. Wyatt’s expression immediately crumbled, tears welling in his eyes. He turned around and hugged Jaxon’s leg. Jaxon glared angrily at Aurora, as did Roman and Margaret.

Aurora shifted uncomfortably under everyone’s gaze but didn’t say a word.

I looked away and down at Leo leaning against my shoulder. His eyes were closed, holding my hand, but I knew he wasn’t asleep.

“What is he doing here?” a hostile voice broke the silence. I looked up to see Margaret pointing at Graves, her eyes filled with hatred and bitterness.

“He’s here for Thea,” I answered tiredly.

Her face twisted into an ugly expression. “I didn’t know Thea associated with criminals.”

“Of course you didn’t know, because you never really knew my daughter at all,” Seraphina shot back sharply.

The two females stared each other down. Margaret might have her status as former Luna of Sterling, but she was clearly outmatched facing the Luna of Kincaid.

“If you don’t like him being here, there’s the door. Honestly, considering how you mistreated Thea all these years, I’m surprised you’re even here.” Maximus said.

That left Margaret speechless, but it also opened up issues I wasn’t ready to face yet.

Leo suddenly opened his eyes, looked around, then up at me.

“What’s Grandpa Maximus talking about?” Though his voice wasn’t loud, it was enough to draw everyone’s attention.

An awkward silence spread through the air as everyone suddenly seemed to remember Leo was present.

“Nothing important, just adult arguments,” I tried to reassure him, but he clearly wasn’t buying it.

“No, I know what ‘mistreated’ means. Grandpa’s talking like Mom was treated badly. Is that true?” His voice grew increasingly sharp.

Fuck. I’d always dreaded this day coming. I noticed everyone looking tense except for Jaxon and Wyatt. How could I tell him the truth without making him hate all of us—especially me, the one who’d hurt her the most?

“Leo, ready to see your sister?” The head nurse returned just in time, wearing a kind smile.