"No! I don't want to!" Jeremy screamed, his defiance fierce.

"Let Jeremy in," Stacey chuckled.

The room fell silent. The door creaked open. Jeremy, eyes blazing, lunged toward Stacey. Hayden grabbed him by the collar.

"Bad Daddy! Liar!" Jeremy shrieked.

Hayden carried him to Stacey. Tonight's supposed to be romantic for Becky and me, ruined by this kid, he thought, setting Jeremy down. He apologized, glancing at Stacey's elegant veil. "So sorry. I should have watched him better."

"Mommy! You're my real Mommy!" Jeremy cried, leaping into Stacey's arms.

Stacey ruffled his hair. "Yes, I'm your Mom, and you're my little one."

"Yeah!" Jeremy gazed at her veil, reaching for it. Hayden scooped him up again, carrying him to Audrey. "Mom, can you watch Jeremy tonight?"

Audrey readily agreed. Jeremy, still fuming, turned his back on Hayden. "Tonight's special. Becky would be sad if I wasn't with her."

"I can stay with Ms. Beck—Mommy!" Jeremy corrected himself, eyes flashing. "It's your fault!"

Hayden realized his mistake. "Your Mom, my wife. But Jeremy, it's our wedding day! It'd be disrespectful not to be with her."

Jeremy eyed him suspiciously. "Tricking me?"

Hayden swore, "If I'm lying, I'm a fool!"

Jeremy's anger subsided. Relieved, Hayden rushed upstairs.

Audrey held Jeremy close, smiling. "Jeremy, your Dad's not lying. We can check online."

Jeremy's eyes lit up. "I want to check!"

Audrey chuckled. "Okay, I'll look it up."

Upstairs, Hayden found Stacey. "Jeremy won't bother us again," he said, offering reassurance.

Under her veil, Stacey felt nervous. Her cheeks flushed. Hayden was nervous too. He carefully lifted the veil. He was stunned by her beauty.

Stacey's face burned under his gaze. "Do I… have something on my face?"

Hayden smiled, kissing her forehead. "No, you're just beautiful."

That night was filled with romance and intimacy. After the wedding, they honeymooned, Hayden leaving Hoggard Technologies to Jack. They traveled, taking countless photos.

While they were enjoying their happiness, Carly and the others took a helicopter back to Hivalis. Carly couldn't afford a house, so she rented an apartment near Carter's Jewel—a chance to study jewelry design, as Adrian had suggested during their divorce. She needed a stable job to support herself and Ronald, who was now in kindergarten.

Initially anxious, she found the Carters welcoming. Becky even provided study materials. Life was improving.

A month later, that happiness shattered. On a rainy day, returning home, she spotted Connor on a woman's motorcycle—following her.