Golden Light

Raisel - POV

“Soren,” I whispered like a prayer. “Is it really you?”

“Raisins, this isn’t a dream.”

His voice—deep, warm, and familiar—washed over me like a balm. He reached for my hand, his touch grounding me. But then pain exploded in my abdomen, sharp and sudden.

“Ahh!”

The cry tore from my lips before I could stop it. My vision blurred as the pain clenched tighter, burning from the inside out.

“She’s dilating,” the nurse called out as the doctor rushed in.

I could barely breathe—the pain was swallowing me whole.

“Soren…”

“Everything’s going to be alright!”

His voice shook, urgent and raw, his eyes brimming with worry as they searched mine.

“Why is she in so much pain?” he snapped at the doctor.

“Please, sir, calm down,” the nurse said, steady but firm.

“It’s time to push,” the doctor announced.

I panted through the fire blazing inside me and pushed with every ounce of strength I had left.

“You’ve got this, Raisins,” I heard Soren say, his voice like an anchor in the storm.

Then—

A cry.

The soft, piercing sound of new life filled the room.

“It’s a girl,” the nurse said, her voice gentle.

Relief flooded me. I was exhausted, drifting, but a smile spread across my face as tears blurred my vision. The nurse cleaned and swaddled the baby, then carefully placed her in my arms. My eyes locked on Soren—he looked overwhelmed, emotional, as if everything in the world suddenly made sense.

Once the doctors and nurses finished, they left us alone with our daughter.

“Our daughter,” I whispered. Her tiny cries melted into soft coos.

“Can I hold her?” Soren asked quietly. I handed him our little bundle of joy.

He cradled her gently, his arms surprisingly sure, and looked down at her like she was made of light. I’d worried how he’d react—if

fatherhood would scare him—but the happiness in his eyes chased all my doubts away. I couldn’t stop smiling. The baby cooed

again as he made funny faces at her.

“Oh my God.”

Hazel's voice cut in, stunned. Fiora stood beside her, flicking her gaze between Soren and me with a thousand questions in her eyes.

“Soren, you shouldn’t be here,” Hazel said, clearly shaken.

“Calm down, both of you. Everything’s fine,” Soren said, placing our daughter gently into the crib.

“What do you mean?” I asked softly. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. That single touch eased something knotted deep

inside me.

Before he could answer, the door burst open. Mathew and his team stormed in.

“Well, Mr. Soren,” Mathew said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re alive.”

He shot me a look of disappointment. I met his gaze, unbothered. Whatever he felt didn’t matter to me.

“Yes, I am,” Soren replied calmly.

I stared at him, questions bubbling in my chest. What was going on?

I tried to get out of bed to shield him, but my legs buckled. Soren caught me just in time.

“Nothing bad is happening. Breathe,” he whispered, guiding me back into bed.

“We need to ask a few questions,” Mathew said coldly.

“You’re not taking him anywhere,” I said firmly.

Soren raised his hand, silently stopping the argument. His eyes locked onto mine as he gently cupped my face.

“Raisins, I’ll come back to you. I promise.”

His voice held a quiet conviction, and I nodded, trusting him despite the storm outside.

He pulled away and followed Mathew out. I watched him disappear through the door, my heart heavy.

Hazel wrapped her arms around me, trying to soothe the ache settling in my chest.

Our daughter’s cry snapped me back to reality. She could feel my sadness. I held her close, gently calming her.

I woke to the soft brush of fingers over my hand. I blinked through the haze.

“Soren?” I whispered.

“Rest,” he said softly, his hand stroking my hair. “You’re exhausted.”

“Soren… please. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on,” I begged.

“I will. Once we’re somewhere safe,” he whispered, just as our daughter stirred again.

He was holding her, hand-feeding her with such tenderness.

“What should we do with our girl?” he asked.

“You tell me,” I replied.

“Aurelia,” he whispered.

“What does it mean?”

“Golden light in latin.”

I smiled, whispering her name again as she nursed at my breast.

After feeding, I was more tired than ever but pushed myself to stay awake. I needed answers. I needed to know why he wasn’t in

custody, what had really happened. I had to keep it together until we could leave.

Morning came. I’d woken up throughout the night to check on Aurelia. Now, sunlight spilled through the window. Soren was asleep

next to the crib. Hazel walked in with food in her hands.

“Morning. The doctor’s discharged you two,” she said with a smile.

Relief bloomed in my chest.

The doctor checked us over one last time. Everything looked good. Soren helped me and Aurelia into the car, with Hazel and Fiora following close behind.

When we stepped into our home, I stopped in my tracks. A welcome banner. Flower petals scattered. A perfectly decorated nursery—

The crib, the toys, everything we'd planned for our baby girl, all waiting. Hazel, Fiora, and I had put it together when we found out

Gender of my baby.

Hazel gently placed Aurelia in the crib. Her coos and giggles filled the room as Fiora made silly faces.

My body was weak—I collapsed into bed with Soren's help. He tucked me in with so much care and sat beside me.

“There’s a baby monitor in my room,” I told him.

He nodded, eyes soft.

“Soren… we’re home. Tell me now.”

He exhaled, tired and heavy.

“The truth is… I didn’t kill Alaric,” he whispered.

I blinked, confused. “What do you mean? I saw you. I saw you kill him.”