Chapter 240: Heartstrings to Home

“Mi Ravial,” Leitana called softly as she stepped into their bedroom.

Ravial stood by the large window overlooking the estate, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of whiskey he hadn’t touched. He was in a black dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, looking every bit the powerful, dangerous man he was. But the moment he heard her voice, his entire posture softened.

He turned around just as she reached him.

Leitana wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back, breathing in his familiar scent.

Ravial set the glass down immediately and covered her smaller hands with his own.

“What is it, my lamb?” he asked softly.

Leitana held him tighter, her voice trembling slightly.

“Mi Ravial… before I fainted last night, I heard something. In my head. A small voice calling my name. It was Rosie… mi think it was Rosie. Mi need to go back to Vanuatu, I need to make sure she is fine… and the other children too. Mi can’t shake this feeling.”

Ravial was quiet for a long moment. Then he slowly turned in her arms so he could face her. He cupped her face with both hands, thumbs gently wiping away the tears that had started falling.

“Okay,” he said simply, without hesitation. “We will go. We can also do what you wanted, help the orphanage, the children, whatever you need. I will make it happen.”

Leitana’s eyes widened with relief and gratitude. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Thank you,” she whispered “Thank you, mi Ravial.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead, then her lips, unhurried and impossibly gentle.

“I told you,” he murmured against her mouth. “Anything you want. Anything that makes you happy… I will give it to you.”

Leitana smiled through her tears and pulled away gently. She walked over to their massive walk-in closet and began pulling out clothes for both of them, folding them carefully into a suitcase.

Ravial watched her for a moment, then pulled out his phone.

“Prepare the jet,” he said the moment the line connected. “We’re flying to Vanuatu tonight. Full crew and medical team on standby. Wheels up in three hours.”

He ended the call and turned back to her.

Leitana kept packing, but her hands were trembling. Her body felt weak, the earlier fainting spell and the vomiting had taken more out of her than she wanted to admit. Every movement sent a dull ache through her stomach, but she hid it, biting the inside of her cheek and forcing a small smile whenever Ravial looked her way.

She didn’t want him to worry.

Not when he was already doing so much for her.

Ravial walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on top of her head.

“You don’t have to pack everything yourself,” he said softly. “The staff can do it.”

“Mi want to,” she whispered, leaning back into his chest. “I want to choose what we take.”

He kissed the side of her neck, holding her a little tighter, sensing something was off but not pushing her yet.

“As you wish, my lamb.”

Leitana closed her eyes for a second, breathing through another wave of dizziness, still hiding the tremble in her hands as she folded one of his black shirts.

She was getting weaker.

But she would hold on.

For him.

For their baby.

For the little girl who had once been like a daughter to her.

Leitana stood at the front steps of the villa, holding her mother’s hands tightly. The black SUV waited a few feet away, engine already running. Ravial stood silently beside them, giving them space but staying close enough to watch over his wife.

“I will be back soon, Mama,” Leitana said, voice thick with emotion. “Hopefully in one week. Mi just need to see Rosie and the children. Mi heart no let mi rest until mi know they are okay.”

Alyssa’s eyes filled with tears as she cupped her daughter’s face.

“I understand, my sweet girl. Go. Do what your heart needs.” She pulled Leitana into a tight hug, holding her for a long moment. “I’ll use this time to go back to the estate. Now that everything is in my name… and Charles is in prison… I need to face it. Handle the staff, the lawyers, the mess he left behind.”

She pulled back slightly, wiping Leitana’s tears with her thumbs.

“The FBI has frozen some accounts, but because Ravial forced your father to sign most things over to Avery and me before his arrest, the main properties and estate are still under our control. I’ll have to meet with lawyers, sort through documents, and speak with the authorities again. But I can do it. I need to do it.”

Leitana nodded, squeezing her mother’s hands. “Be careful, Mama. Call mi every day. Tell mi when yu need anything.”

“I will,” Alyssa promised, kissing her forehead. “And you call me too. The moment you land. The moment anything feels wrong. Promise me.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Alyssa looked at Ravial, her eyes full of both gratitude and quiet warning.

“Take care of my daughter, Ravial. She’s carrying your child… but she’s still my baby.”

Ravial gave a single, respectful nod. “Always.”

Leitana hugged her mother one last time, then let Ravial guide her toward the waiting car. She glanced around the villa grounds.

“Marita is not back yet?”

Ravial helped her into the backseat and slid in beside her.

“Lucius will inform her. She’s safe with him.”

The car pulled away smoothly. Leitana pressed her face against the window, watching her mother wave until the villa disappeared from view.

Ravial pulled her gently onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her and resting one hand protectively over her belly.

“Shh, little lamb,” he murmured against her hair. “She will be alright. And so will you.”

Leitana nodded, curling into his chest as the car headed toward the private tarmac.

At the Private Tarmac

The luxury Gulfstream jet was already fueled and waiting when they arrived. Ravial carried Leitana up the stairs himself, refusing to let her walk. Inside the jet, the cabin was spacious and elegant, cream leather seats, soft lighting, and a private bedroom at the back.

Once they were settled and the plane began taxiing down the runway, Ravial pulled her back onto his lap, facing him this time. He wrapped her legs around his waist and held her close, one hand stroking her back while the other cradled her bump.

“Rest against me,” he said softly. “The flight is long so you need to save your strength.”

Leitana nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling safe in his arms even as exhaustion and worry weighed on her.

As the plane lifted into the sky, heading toward Vanuatu, she whispered against his neck:

“Mi love you, mi Ravial.”

He kissed the top of her head, holding her tighter.

“And I love you more than life itself, my lamb.”

The jet soared higher into the clouds, carrying them toward the islands where Leitana’s past and possibly her future waited.

Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.