Lila just shook her head, laughing.

On the other side of the room, Ethan, Owen, and Mason Grady were setting up new desks in what would soon be the kids’ study area. Aurora sat nearby, rocking baby Evie in her arms, her gaze soft as she watched her men work.

Samuel walked in with a box of supplies, setting it down before stretching out his back. “Someone remind me why I agreed to manual labor on my day off?”

“Because you love us,” Kai said, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

Samuel shot him a flat look. “Debatable.”

Laughter rippled through the room, warmth weaving itself into every corner. I let out a slow breath, looking around at everyone… at my friends, my family. And it hit me again, stronger this time.

I wasn’t just a visitor in this town anymore.

This was my home.

These people were my family.

I wasn’t just surviving.

I was truly, finally home.

The warm hum of voices filled the orphanage, laughter and conversation blending into a place that felt like home. I was still soaking it all in, committing this moment to memory, when Miss Evelyn approached with a kind smile.

“Sadie, dear, do you have a moment?”

I turned to her, returning the smile. “Of course. How are you?”

She clasped her hands in front of her. “Oh, I’m just fine. But I wanted to talk to you about Willow Creek.”

I nodded, leading her toward a quieter corner near the window, where we could talk. Adam must have been watching, because he was already dragging a chair over for me before I even thought to sit down.

His protective streak had only grown stronger over the past few months.

Miss Evelyn settled across from me. “I just wanted to say how proud I am of you. What you’ve done here… it’s incredible.”

My heart warmed. “I had a lot of help.”

“Yes, but you made it happen,” she said firmly. “This orphanage, this community… it’s thriving because of you.”

Before I could respond, a sharp pain gripped my stomach, making me gasp.

Miss Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Sadie?”

I sucked in a breath, placing a hand on my belly. “I think?—”

I broke off as another wave of pressure rolled through me, sharp and insistent. My heart kicked up a notch.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, shit.

Adam was at my side instantly. “Sadie?”

I lifted my gaze to his, panic flickering inside of me. “I think my water just broke.”

Silence.