Chapter 230: Space to Grow

As the car carrying Avery disappeared through the villa gates, Leitana completely broke down.

Her legs gave out, but Ravial was already there. In one smooth motion, he bent down and scooped her up into his strong arms, cradling her against his broad chest. Leitana buried her face in his neck, sobbing heavily, her tears soaking into his shirt as her small hands clutched desperately at his shoulders.

Ravial said nothing. He simply carried her inside the villa, past the worried staff, up the grand staircase, and straight to their bedroom. Alyssa watched them go with tears in her own eyes but didn’t follow, she knew her daughter needed her husband right now.

Once inside their room, Ravial sat down on the edge of the large bed, keeping Leitana securely in his lap. He held her close, one arm wrapped around her back, the other gently cradling her head against his chest. His large hand rubbed slow, soothing circles on her back as her body shook with heavy, heartbroken sobs.

“Stop crying, my lamb,” he murmured, voice low and deep, lips pressed against her hair. “Am I not here? Look at me. Am I not right here with you?”

Leitana shook her head against his chest, still crying. “She left… mi sister left mi…”

Ravial tilted her chin up gently with two fingers, forcing her to meet his blindfolded gaze. His thumb wiped away some of her tears, though new ones kept falling.

“Tell me again,” he said softly, almost commanding. “What am I to you? Who does your heart belong to?”

Leitana’s voice trembled, thick with tears. “You… You, mi Ravial. Mi ting ting blong yu. Mi heart… it belongs to you.”

A faint, satisfied smile touched his lips. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, then her wet eyelids, then the tip of her nose, tasting her tears.

“Yes,” he whispered, voice dark and possessive. “That’s right. You belong to me. Every piece of your heart is mine. And I am here. You are never alone, little lamb. Not even for a second.”

He pulled her closer, wrapping both arms around her as she continued to cry against him. One of his hands moved down to rest protectively over her baby bump, rubbing slow circles there too.

“Avery needed to go find herself,” he said quietly, lips brushing her temple. “But you… you are already found. You are right where you belong, in my arms, in my home, carrying my child. I will never leave you. I will never let you feel empty. Even when she is gone, you still have me. You have our son. You have your mother. You are not losing a sister. You are simply gaining space to grow… while I hold you through every step.”

Leitana sniffled, her sobs slowly quieting as she clung to him tighter, her small body melting into his powerful frame.

“Mi just miss her already…” she whispered.

“I know,” Ravial murmured, kissing the top of her head. “And it’s okay to miss her. But never forget this, while she finds her way, I will be your home. Your safety. Your everything.”

He rocked her gently in his lap, strong arms never loosening, his presence like an unmovable shield around her.

“My brave, soft-hearted little lamb,” he whispered into her hair. “Cry as much as you need. I will hold every tear. And when you’re ready… I will still be here. Always.”

Leitana closed her eyes, exhausted but safe in his embrace, her fingers weakly gripping his shirt as the afternoon light slowly faded around them.

A few hours later

The golden light of the setting sun poured gently into their bedroom. Leitana sat propped up against a mountain of pillows on the bed, eyes still puffy from crying earlier. She had barely eaten anything all day, her appetite gone with her tears.

Ravial sat on the edge of the bed beside her, holding a bowl of warm chicken soup. He scooped a spoonful, blew on it carefully to cool it, then brought it to her lips.

“Open, little lamb,” he said softly, his voice patient and coaxing.

Leitana shook her head weakly, looking down. “Mi not hungry, mi Ravial…”

“You will eat,” he replied gently but firmly. “Even if I have to feed you every single spoon myself. You are carrying our child and you need your strength.”

He brought the spoon closer, his other hand gently stroking her cheek. After a moment, Leitana parted her lips and accepted the soup. Ravial watched her with quiet satisfaction, feeding her slowly, spoonful by spoonful, occasionally wiping the corner of her mouth with his thumb.

They stayed like that in comfortable silence for a while, him feeding her, her slowly accepting each bite. When the bowl was nearly empty, Ravial set it aside and brushed her hair back from her face with tender fingers.

“Lafu called earlier,” he said casually, still stroking her hair.

Leitana looked up at him, eyes slightly wide with curiosity. “Lafu?”

Ravial nodded, his large hand continuing its soothing motion through her curls. “Yes.”

Leitana blinked.

A small smile touched Ravial’s lips as he cupped her cheek.

“They want you to do some shoots for them. Soft, innocent pictures only, nothing revealing, or uncomfortable. She thinks you would be perfect for it.”

Leitana’s eyes went wide, a spark of surprise and shy excitement breaking through the sadness for the first time since Avery left.

“Mi…? They want mi to model?” she whispered, almost in disbelief. “Like… real modeling?”

Ravial’s thumb brushed her bottom lip gently. “Yes, my lamb. If you want to. You don’t have to. But I thought… maybe it would be good for you. Something new.”

For a moment, Leitana just stared at him, processing. Then a small, teary smile broke across her face.

“Yes…” she said softly, nodding. “Yes, mi Ravial. Mi want to. If you think mi can do it… mi want to try.”

Ravial’s smile deepened, he leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to her forehead, then her lips.

“You can do anything, little lamb,” he murmured against her mouth. “And I will be there for every single shoot. Watching you and making sure no one gets too close. You will be safe… and you will shine.”

Leitana leaned into him, resting her head on his chest, a tiny spark of happiness warming her heart despite the ache of missing Avery.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For always knowing what mi need.”

Ravial wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, one hand resting possessively over her belly.

“Always,” he said quietly, voice low and full of promise. “I will always give my wife whatever makes her eyes light up again.”

He kissed the top of her head and continued stroking her hair as the sun slowly set outside, painting the room in soft orange and pink hues.