Page 63 of The Forbidden Secret

I couldn’t help but scan the room, looking for Beatrice. But Aria stopped me by gathering me in her arms and pulling me into a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry,” she cried. I winced as she tightened her grip a bit more, and she jumped back. “Oh my gosh, I completely forgot.”

I took a deep breath as the ache of her embrace faded. “Aria, why would you apologize?”

Zeke stepped to my side, also noticeably scanning the area. Aria took note and shook her head. “How about we talk after you see her? She’s napping, but I’ll go get her up.”

My oldest sister rushed out of the room, and I smiled up at Zeke. I felt myself bouncing on my toes as I waited to see my daughter for the first time in months. I could hardly contain the love in my chest as I heard a small cry from the other room.

My feet were moving before I could stop them. I rushed forward and rounded the corner, stopping in my tracks when I saw her.

“Oh, Bee,” I whispered, tears running down my cheeks.

I knew I missed her. I knew I had done everything in my power to get back to her. But I didn’t realize that when I saw her, I would finally be able to breathe. Something inside me loosened as I covered my mouth.

Beatrice gave me one of her brilliant smiles.

“Sit down,” Aria said, gesturing toward the nursery chair she would soon use for her baby. I sat in the reclining chair and opened my arms.

Aria settled her into my arms.

“Oh, Bee,” I whispered, kissing her head and then her chunky cheeks. “I missed you, sweet girl.”

Beatrice lifted a hand and swatted at my face, making a cooing noise that further melted my heart. Each of her movements caused slight discomfort in my chest, but it was manageable. I could hardly focus on it as her bright, beautiful blue eyes met mine. Maggie had been certain the color would fade as she grew older, but it remained just as vibrant as the day she was born.

Beatrice arched her back and released a small, content squeal.

“She is the easiest baby,” Aria said. “Excluding the nighttime wakings. But that will come with time.”

I smiled as her eyes focused on mine again. “There is so much I will tell you when you’re older, Bee. I hope you know that everything I went through was to get back to you.Everythingis for you.”

I felt someone settle at my side, and I turned my head to find Zeke kneeling beside the chair, a single tear in the corner of his eye. His gaze was fixed on Beatrice as he reached for her hand, and she wrapped it around his finger. The smile on his face was tear-filled but completely content.

“She looks just like my mother.”

“She looks just likeyou,” I told him.

With them in the same room, I could see the resemblance more than I thought possible. They had the same faces. The same structure and coloring. The same dark hair. The same eyes. GoodGod,their eyes had been copied and pasted, though Beatrice’s eye shape resembled mine a bit more.

I gave her a small squeeze and finally focused my full attention on Zeke.

“Do you want to hold her?” I asked.

His eyes widened. “Could I?”

I nodded, and he immediately reached forward, holding her as if she were a fragile piece of glass. His hands trembled as he pulled her to his chest, and she reached for his face the same way as she had with me.

I pulled myself upright and pointed to the chair. Zeke settled into it, and I watched as he cradled his daughter, staring down at her as if she was the most extraordinary thing he had ever seen. It was difficult to look away, let alone take a step out the door and into the main living room where Aria waited.

Her gaze turned up and met mine with a hesitant smile. Aria rubbed her slightly distended belly almost absentmindedly.

“Is it all you were hoping for?”

I nodded and moved toward her, sliding gently onto the couch beside her and leaning back. The dull ache in my ribs was noticeable but not too concerning. I was on the mend.

“It’s me who needs to apologize,” I told her.

She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I was the one who gambled with your safety and lost. Dad used you as leverage because I didn’t listen and do—”

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