Chapter 174 A Place to Belong

Chapter 174 A Place to Belong
Theon didn't let go. His hands stayed cupping her face, gently pulling her back.

“I don’t want to walk away again."

His voice cracked. "I've tried and it’s not working."

Lena's shoulders shook. "Theon…"

"Just this once." His voice broke. "Let me be the one you lean on."

Another tear slipped down her cheek. He caught it with his thumb.

"I'm not asking you to choose me now," he whispered. "Nor am I asking you to forget him."

He swallowed hard. "I'm just asking you to let someone be there for you."

Lena stared at him as snow fell around them.

"Why?" she whispered. "Why do you keep doing this?"

Theon let out a shaky breath. "Because I can't stop." His forehead pressed against hers. “Because even when I try to hate you for making me feel this way… I can't."

His eyes closed. “Because it's you, Lena. It's always been you."

Lena's hands lifted slowly. They rested against his chest.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "I'm so scared."

"Of what?"

"Of trusting and losing myself again.”

Theon pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "Trust me, and I’ll prove that you can do it without losing yourself. And if you ever feel lost, I’ll help you find your way back.” He said with a steady voice. “I can't promise I won't mess up, but I can promise I won't walk away."

Lena's chest heaved. "How do I know you mean it?"

Theon took her hand and pressed it against his chest. Beneath her palm, his heart pounded.

"You feel that?"

She nodded.

"That's what happens every time I see you. Every time I hear your voice. Every time you smile."

His hand covered hers. "That's how you know."

Lena stared at him. Her lips parted.

Snowflakes clung to his eyelashes and the curve of his jaw.

"Okay," she whispered.

Theon's eyes widened slightly. "Okay?"

"Okay." Her voice trembled. "I'll try."

He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Then he pulled her into his arms and held her close.

"I've got you," he murmured against her hair. "I've always got you."

Lena buried her face in his chest, taking in his cool scent.

—

Theon drove her home after she picked up the medication for her father.

The car was quiet, the heater humming softly. Snow stuck to the windshield, blurring the streetlights into soft halos. Lena stared out the window, her cheek still slightly swollen, her eyes distant.

Theon didn't push her to talk. He just drove.

Occasionally, she would direct him to take a detour. Theon frowned seeing the location different from the one he was used to. But he kept silent and kept driving.

When he pulled up to a modest house, he saw that this really wasn’t her old apartment. Before he could ask, Lena turned to him with a small smile.

"I live with my father now," she said. “I just…” Her fingers tightened around the medication bag. “I want to spend some time with him.”

Theon immediately understood. He nodded. “That makes sense.”

He wanted to ask about the hospital—about what had caused the commotion, about Stacy, and everything. He had arrived just in time to stop Mrs. Adler from grabbing her again. But he still didn't know the full story.

Just the thought of how she had been treated made him see red. His hand clenched on the steering wheel. The questions sat at the tip of his tongue.

Lena smiled at him. “Thank you for bringing me home.” She reached for the door handle.

“Lena.”

She paused and turned back.

Theon cleared his throat. His heart was beating far too fast over something so simple.

“Did you… change your number?”

Lena looked stunned by the sudden question. 

“Yeah.” She nodded.

Theon glanced down at his hands before looking back at her. “Can I have it?”

Lena studied him quietly. Then she took his phone from the center console.

Theon watched as she entered a number.

When she handed it back, their fingers brushed.

“Goodnight, Theon,” Lena said softly.

“Goodnight, Lena.”

He waited until she stepped inside before driving away.



Over the next few days, Theon always found time to call her.

The virus outbreak had worsened, and he was working double shifts at the hospital. Still, no matter how exhausted he was, he found a moment for Lena.

He asked about her health, how she was doing, and how her father was.

And surprisingly, Lena answered.

Although her replies were stiff, she talked to him. She didn’t brush him off or make excuses to end the call.

To Theon, that was huge progress.

—

Theon sat in his office, exhausted after a long surgery, when his phone suddenly rang.

Theon barely looked at it at first. He was about to let it ring. Then he saw the name on the screen.

His entire body went still.

Lena never called him first, unless there’s something wrong.

Theon immediately reached for the phone, nearly knocking over a stack of files in the process.

“Lena?” His voice came out too quickly. “Is something wrong?”

A soft laugh came through the other end of the call.

Theon froze. The sound curled warmly in his chest.

“No,” Lena said. “Nothing is wrong. I can't call just to say hi?"

His chest tickled. The exhaustion melted away. "You can," he replied. "You just never do."

"Maybe I'm trying to change that."

Theon leaned back in his chair with a smile, trying to calm his heartbeat. "Then I'm listening."

"I called to ask if you're going to Evelyn's."

"Going where?"

"Apparently, Roman and Evelyn are in search of a suitable name for the baby. They want us there."

He frowned. "They want a naming party?"

"Not a party. Just... presence. You know, they are not the type to throw a party. But at least they want us there."

Theon glanced at his watch. It was late, and he was exhausted.

"Are you going?" he asked.

"I'm already on my way," she said. "I figured if I have to suffer through their terrible name suggestions, you should too."

He laughed. "That's cruel."

"I know. That's why I called."

Theon stood, grabbing his coat. "I'll be there."

"Good. Don't be late."

The line went dead.

Theon stared at his phone for a moment, a small smile on his face. Then he walked out of his office.



When they arrived at Rosewood Manor, Lena and Theon stood together at the front door.

She looked at him. "Ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"To witness a naming ceremony."

He opened the door. "Lead the way."

The front door opened, bringing in a gust of cold air.

"We come bearing gifts," Lena announced, shaking snow from her coat. She held up a small gift bag. "And also ourselves."

Theon followed behind her, brushing snow from his shoulders. His gaze found Lena before he looked away.

Evelyn smiled from the couch. "You’re just in time. We still can’t decide on a name.”

Lena kicked off her boots and walked toward the couch. "I still can’t believe you haven’t named him?"

"We've been busy," Roman said from the kitchen doorway. He was holding a bottle, testing the temperature on his wrist. "There were other priorities."

"Like what?" Theon asked.

"Like keeping him alive." Roman walked toward the couch. "And keeping his mother from starving."

Evelyn swatted his arm. "I'm not starving. I'm eating for two."

"You're eating for two," Roman agreed. "But you've been eating mostly chocolate."

"Chocolate is important for milk production."

"Is that what the internet told you?"

"The internet never lies."

Lena laughed. "You two are just made for each other.”

Theon hovered near the entrance, unsure where to sit. Lena noticed and patted the space beside her on the couch.

"Sit. You look like a lost puppy."

Theon's jaw tightened. "I don't look like a lost puppy."

"You kind of do."

"I do not."

"You do," Evelyn agreed. "Sit down, Theon. You're making the room cold."

Theon sat stiffly, his shoulder brushing hers.

Roman handed Evelyn the bottle. She held it to the baby's lips. The baby latched on, his tiny hands gripping the side of the bottle.

"So," Lena said, watching the baby. "What are we naming this little dictator?"

"We don't know yet," Roman said. "That's why you're here."

“How come you didn’t invite me?” Theon turned to Roman with a stiff smile.

“Because I don’t think you have any good names to offer,” Roman replied flatly.

“Stop that.” Evelyn turned to Theon. “Don’t listen to him. That’s why I called Lena to invite you over.”

Theon blinked, still feeling useless. “So you want us to name your child?”

"We want opinions," Evelyn corrected. "We'll make the final decision."

"Noted." Lena leaned forward, studying the baby. "He looks like a Benjamin."

Evelyn wrinkled her nose. "Benjamin?"

"Too formal," Roman said.

"Alexander?" Theon offered.

Roman shot him a look. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because that's my father's name. And he's not—" Roman paused. "He's not dead yet."

Theon shrugged. "It's a good name."

"It's a confusing name. If I call 'Alexander,' three people turn around."

Lena laughed. "That's fair."

Evelyn looked down at the baby. "I was thinking something softer. Something that doesn't sound like he's going to take over a corporation."

"He is going to take over a corporation," Roman replied.

"Not yet. He's three days old."

"Still."

Lena tilted her head. "What about Noah?"

Theon glanced at her. "Noah?"

"It's soft. It means rest. Peaceful." She shrugged. "I don't know. It's just a thought."

Evelyn considered it. "Noah Sinclair."

"It's not bad," Roman admitted.

The baby finished the bottle. Evelyn lifted him to her shoulder and patted his back. A small burp escaped.

"He likes it," she smiled.

"Or he's just full," Lena rolled her eyes.

"Same thing."

Roman walked around the couch and sat beside Evelyn. His hand came up to cup the baby's head.

"Noah," he said quietly.

The baby blinked. His tiny fist uncurled, then curled again.

"I think he agrees," Evelyn grinned.

Theon watched them. The three of them—Roman, Evelyn, Noah. A small family unit, warm and whole.

He felt Lena shift beside him. Her shoulder pressed against his.

"You okay?" she whispered. He turned to look at her. Her eyes were soft.

He nodded. "Yeah."

She held his gaze for a moment longer. Then she looked away.

Leo burst through the front door, carrying a large stuffed bear.

"Lady boss! I heard there's a naming ceremony—" He stopped. "Oh. You already started.”

"We just named him," Evelyn said, turning to him.

Leo's face fell. "So I missed it?"

"You missed it," Roman confirmed with a stern expression.

Leo set the bear on the floor and looked at the baby. "What's his name?"

"Noah," Evelyn said.

Leo repeated it. "Noah Sinclair. That's a good name."

"It was Lena's idea," Evelyn said.

Leo turned to Lena. "Really? You named him?"

Lena shrugged. "I just suggested it. They made the final decision."

Roman cleared his throat.

“Since we’re done naming my son,” he said flatly, “I would like everyone to leave so I can have a moment with my wife and child.”

Leo blinked. “Boss, we just got here.”

Roman looked at him.

Leo immediately picked up the stuffed bear. “Right. Leaving.”