Aaron was again in trouble with his father. He'd missed the Christmas and New Year's Eve parties he was expected to attend. Alistair could only yell; he had no leverage over his son.

Alistair, meanwhile, had enjoyed a quiet New Year's Eve at home with Keeley and the Singletons. They played unfamiliar board games until midnight, and he shared a New Year's kiss for the first time since 2007. This was shaping up to be a great year!

The babies were developing well, and Dr. Chapman encouraged Keeley to continue resting. She diligently followed instructions; her only upcoming commitment was her graduation ceremony.

Everything was wonderful—a situation that made Aaron wary, as things rarely went so smoothly for him.

His paranoia was justified. Aiden found evidence that Alistair had again been snooping around his office, though his purpose remained unclear. Aaron suspected Alistair was searching for his address. He'd noticed people following him home from work for the past couple of weeks, successfully evading them by taking circuitous routes, but the situation was unsettling.

Why did Alistair suddenly want his son's address? It couldn't be good. He likely sensed his control over Aaron slipping and was trying to regain it.

That wasn't going to happen. Aaron was finally living the life he'd long desired. His father would not interfere. He wouldn't allow Alistair within a mile of his wife and children. Keeley was already stressed enough about being discovered. He needed to neutralize Alistair quickly.

These worries weighed heavily on Aaron as he left the office, feeling yet another tail. Worse, it was the last person he wanted to see. When she placed a hand on his shoulder, he violently shrugged it off.

"What are you doing at Hale Investments?" he demanded furiously.

Lacy pouted, then adopted her most innocent expression, which disgusted him. "I missed you. I haven't seen you in months."

"You have no reason to see me. I'm engaged. You're irrelevant."

What was she up to? Was she trying to find his address too? That would be a disaster.

She continued as if he hadn't spoken. "Society functions aren't the same without you. You need to return. You're the king of the younger generation; you can't just leave on a whim."

"Whether I leave or not is none of your business. I'm ending this conversation. You have three seconds to leave before I report you for stalking," Aaron said flatly.

Lacy lost her composure. "Aaron Hale, listen to me! We're supposed to marry and rule the circle together! What's wrong with you?! Why are you abandoning your responsibilities?!"

Abandoning his responsibilities? What a joke. He'd abandoned those horrible people to fulfill his real responsibilities—to himself and his growing family.

She'd never truly wanted him; she craved the status of being married to the best. She refused to settle, wanting to be a top socialite with a top CEO husband. He couldn't imagine anything worse.

High society had never brought him happiness. Happiness came from spontaneous laughter, dazzling smiles, and experiencing life through Keeley's eyes. He wouldn't trade his current life for anything.

"I haven't abandoned anything worthwhile. I have far better things to do than play power games with the likes of you. You're pathetic. I almost feel sorry for you. Go find someone else to fulfill your delusions and leave me alone."

"Me, pathetic?" she hissed. "You're the pathetic one! What happened to the Aaron Hale who knew his role and looked down on those who didn't? You're crazy!"

He almost snorted. Unbelievable that he'd ever thought that way. But that was before Keeley. He'd never return to that blind foolishness.

"The only crazy person here is you, thinking you know anything about me. You don't. The Aaron Hale you've imagined is a delusion. I don't care about any of that. I'm a simple person with simple needs you'll never understand," he said scornfully, turning and heading to his car.

Aaron had no time for this psychopath. He needed to get home to Keeley.

He noticed one of his pursuers but failed to register a second car, unfamiliar to him, which also followed.

Once parked, he took the elevator to the penthouse and greeted his wife. She was watching TV under her new favorite Christmas blanket.

She smiled. "Hey, Aaron. How was work?"

"Tiring," he admitted. But seeing her erased his fatigue. "How are my babies?"

"They've been kicking all afternoon. Like they're wrestling," Keeley said, laughing. "Wait long enough, and you'll feel it."

Feeling the babies move always amazed him. Proof of their life made him emotional. He was going to be a father, and nobody could take that away.

"Let me know when they do. Have you eaten?"

"No, I was waiting for you."

Warmth filled Aaron's heart. Someone waiting for him never grew old. He kissed her again before changing into comfortable clothes for dinner.

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