Chapter 243
Iris's POV
I made my way down the stairs, still wearing my silk pajamas, when a soft murmur from the living room caught my attention. I paused mid-step, peeking around the corner to find Sebastien pacing slowly with our daughter nestled against his shoulder. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over them. My little girl looked so peaceful, her tiny hand curled against her father's chest.
The floorboard creaked beneath my foot, and Sebastien turned. His expression softened when he saw me.
"You're up," he said quietly. "I took her when she started fussing. Didn't want to wake you."
I walked toward them, suddenly aware of how natural this felt—Sebastien in our home, caring for our children. The scene was so different from the cold, distant man I'd married years ago.
"When did you get here?" I asked, my voice still raspy from sleep. "I didn't hear you come in."
"Early. Wanted to let you rest." He nodded toward the portable crib where our son was contentedly playing with a stuffed wolf. "After everything with Underwood, I figured you needed it."
I noticed the aroma of coffee and fresh pastries wafting from the kitchen. "Did you arrange breakfast too?"
"Daniel brought it over." He shifted our daughter to his other shoulder with practiced ease.
I moved into the kitchen, glancing back to see him whispering something to our baby girl. My chest tightened with an unexpected emotion. This man who had once caused me so much heartache was now the father who woke early to care for our children.
After breakfast, I gathered my things for work, checking my watch with a sigh. "I should get going. There's still a mountain of paperwork to finalize on the Underwood case."
Sebastien appeared in the entryway, somehow managing to hold both babies. "Leaving without saying goodbye to these two?" His eyes held a playful challenge.
I stepped closer, brushing my lips against my daughter's forehead and then gently stroking my son's cheek. "Mommy will be back soon. Be good for Daddy, okay?"
"What about Daddy?" Sebastien's voice dropped lower. "Don't I get a goodbye too?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Using our children as props now?" Despite my words, I leaned forward to give him a quick peck on the cheek.
At the last second, he turned his head, catching my lips with his. The brief contact sent an electric current through me, surprising in its intensity.
"You're impossible," I murmured, pulling back with heat rising to my cheeks. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked to the door.
---
At Stone Industries, my assistant knocked and entered with a file folder. "Ms. Stone, the latest on the Underwood case." Her voice was professional, but I caught the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
I scanned the documents quickly. "Lawyer Creed has submitted the complete evidence chain to the council," I noted. "And several Underwood executives are now under travel restrictions."
"Yes, ma'am. The council is expected to make formal charges by the end of the week."
I closed the folder and turned to the window, placing my palm against the cool glass. My father used to stand in this exact spot, looking out over the city he loved. "Clear my afternoon schedule. I'll be visiting the cemetery."
After she left, I opened my desk drawer and took out my father's photograph. My thumb traced the outline of his face. "We did it, Dad," I whispered. "Fifteen years, but we finally got them."
---
The cemetery was quiet, with only the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence. I knelt before my father's grave, arranging fresh flowers against the cool stone.
"Hi, Dad." My voice sounded small in the open air. "It's been quite a month. I had the twins—a boy and a girl. You would have loved them."
I told him about the babies, about Sebastien's return to our lives, and how we were finding our way back to each other. "All those misunderstandings... it turns out he was trying to protect me all along."
A breeze stirred my hair, and I looked up at the cloud-streaked sky. "The Underwoods are finally facing justice. Steven watched his empire crumble, just like they destroyed yours. The evidence is irrefutable."
My fingers traced the engraved letters of my father's name. "Next time I'll bring Sebastien and the twins. Your grandchildren should know who you were." My throat tightened. "I wish you could have met them."
I stayed until the shadows lengthened, sharing the details of my life with the silent stone, finding comfort in the ritual.
---
When I opened the front door that evening, the smell of garlic and herbs greeted me. Sebastien was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up as he stirred something on the stove. He looked up at the sound of the door.
"You're home." He wiped his hands and crossed to me, taking my coat and bag with a natural ease that felt both foreign and familiar. He pulled me into a gentle embrace.
I leaned against him, breathing in his scent—sandalwood and something uniquely him. The tension I'd been carrying all day began to dissolve. "God, I'm exhausted."
His hand moved in slow circles on my back. "How did it go? The case?"
"Almost wrapped up." I looked up at him, allowing myself a small smile. "After all this time, it's finally happening. Justice for my father."
Sebastien leaned down and caught my lips with his, a kiss full of understanding and support. I melted against him, the last of my defenses crumbling.
"Ah, young love!" The housekeeper's voice broke the moment as she emerged from the kitchen with a knowing smile.
Before I could respond, Ethan appeared from upstairs, cradling both babies. "Seriously? In the middle of the living room? There are impressionable children present."
I laughed and pulled away from Sebastien, crossing to take my daughter from Ethan. "You're absolutely right. Someone needs to learn some manners." I shot Sebastien a teasing glance.
Sebastien approached, arms outstretched to take our son, but the baby turned his face away, snuggling deeper into Ethan's chest. Sebastien's face fell in comic disappointment.
"Looks like even the kids think you need to work on your behavior," I said, unable to hold back my laughter.
As we gathered around the dinner table—Sebastien, Ethan, the babies, and me—I felt something I hadn't experienced in years: the warmth of a complete family. After all the pain, betrayal, and misunderstandings, after fifteen years of seeking justice, I had finally come full circle.
This was a new beginning—for justice, for family, for love. And for once, I was ready to embrace it all.