Chapter 169 #169

Chapter 169 #169
Chapter 169
~Dwayne~

The sun was hitting the estate’s back lawn with a golden warmth that felt almost like a personal favor from the universe. Five weeks ago, I was pacing the sterile floors of a NICU, watching a tiny, fragile boy fight for every breath. 

Today, that same boy, Randell was tucked into a green shawl.

The party had been pushed forward, obviously. The twins didn’t mind; so the concept of time was irrelevant as long as there were balloons and cake. 

"Dwayne, if you stare at that bassinet any harder, you're going to wake him up by sheer force of will," Shailyn said, stepping up beside me. 

She looked incredible. It was hard to believe she’d gone through a high-risk delivery just over a month ago. She wore a flowy, cream-colored dress that caught the breeze, her hair pulled back, looking every bit the matriarch of the new empire we were building.

"I’m just checking his breathing," I muttered, though I knew I was hovering. 

"He’s breathing perfectly. He’s a Belmar.” She teased, leaning her head against my shoulder. "Relax. Look at your daughters."

Across the lawn, Lucy and Lily were currently engaged in a high-stakes tactical mission to see how many cupcakes they could smuggle into the tree house. Hannah, who was now very visibly eight months pregnant, was trying to catch them.

"Where are Jack and Monica?" I asked, scanning the crowd. "They said they’d be here by two."

"They're coming. Jack messaged saying they were bringing a guest," Shailyn replied.

The guests arrived ten minutes later. Jack and Monica walked through the gate, looking more relaxed than I’d seen them in years. But it was the man trailing behind them that made me wonder who he is. He was tall, athletic, with a head of blond hair that looked like it belonged in a shampoo commercial and a smile that was a little too bright for my liking.

"Dwayne! Shailyn!" Jack called out, jogging over to give me a firm handshake and Shailyn a hug. "Sorry we're late. Traffic on the road was a nightmare."

"No worries," Shailyn smiled. "We’re just glad you made it."

"This is Julian," Jack said, gesturing to the blond guy. "Old friend from my university days. He’s in town for a few weeks before he heads back to London."

"Nice to meet you," Julian said. His voice had that polished, mid-Atlantic accent that reeked of old money and private jets. He turned to Shailyn, and his eyes lingered a second too long. "And you must be the legendary Shailyn. Jack has told me so much, but he failed to mention you were the most stunning CEO in the country."

I felt my jaw tighten. It was a classic line. Smooth. Too smooth. 

"Thank you, Julian," Shailyn said, her tone polite but professional. "I’m glad Jack’s been sharing the highlights."

"Oh, he’s shared more than that," Julian continued, stepping a fraction closer to her. "Your recent acquisition of the Sterling group? Masterful. I’d love to pick your brain about your approach to the logistics side of that merger."

I stepped in, subtly closing the gap so I was standing just slightly in front of Shailyn. "I’m Dwayne. Her husband. And the COO who actually handled the logistics side of that merger."

Julian’s smile didn't falter. He offered me a hand. "Of course. The muscle behind the vision. Pleasure, Dwayne."

The muscle? I took his hand, giving it a squeeze that was perhaps a bit more 'enthusiastic' than necessary. He didn't flinch, which only annoyed me more.

As the afternoon wore on, I found myself unable to stay more than five feet away from my wife. Every time I turned around, Julian was there. He was helping her with a tray of drinks, he was asking her opinion on international trade, he was laughing a little too loudly at a joke she made about the board of directors.

"You're hovering," Luke whispered, appearing at my elbow with a beer in his hand.

"I'm not hovering," I snapped, my eyes fixed on Julian, who was currently leaning down to whisper something into Shailyn’s ear. She laughed, tossing her hair back.

"Dwayne, you're practically vibrating," Luke chuckled. "The guy is just flirting. It’s harmless. She’s married to you, has three of your kids, and runs your life. I think you're safe."

"It’s the principle of the thing," I grumbled. "It’s a children’s birthday party. Who flirts at a two-year-old's birthday?"

"A guy who knows a beautiful woman when he sees one," Luke said, patting my shoulder. "Go get a drink. You look like you’re ready to tackle him to the ground.”

I didn't get a drink. Instead, I walked over to Shailyn and Julian. 

"....and that's why the London market is so volatile right now," Julian was saying. He looked at me as I approached. "Ah, Dwayne. Joining us?"

"Actually," I said, sliding my arm firmly around Shailyn’s waist and pulling her flush against my side. "I was just coming to see if Shailyn wanted to head inside. We have an announcement to make, and I think everyone is gathered."

Shailyn looked up at me, a knowing, mischievous glint in her eyes. She knew exactly what I was doing. "We do?"

"We do," I insisted. 

I led her toward the small stage we’d set up for the kids' entertainment. Jack, Monica, Hannah, Luke, and the rest of our inner circle gathered around. Even Julian stood at the back, looking curious.

"First of all," Shailyn began, her voice regaining that natural authority that always made me proud. "Thank you all for being here. This party is a celebration of Lucy and Lily turning two, but also a celebration of Randell being home and healthy. We’ve been through a lot of transitions lately."

She looked at me, nodding for me to take over.

"Which brings us to the next transition," I said, my grip on her hand tightening. "Shailyn and I have been talking. The Belmar name carries a lot of history in this city. Some of it good, a lot of it... complicated. We want our children to grow up somewhere where they can just be themselves, away from the shadow of what came before."

A murmur went through the crowd.

"We're moving," Shailyn announced, a bright smile on her face. "We’ve purchased an estate up north, near the valley. We’re going to be commuting, sure, but we’re building a home that belongs only to us. Not the Belmar legacy. Just ours."

The cheers were immediate. Jack and Monica were the first to hug us. 

"I knew you guys were looking at places, but I didn't think you'd pull the trigger so fast!" Monica said, beaming.

As the crowd dispersed to get cake, Julian approached one last time. He looked at Shailyn, then at me, then at the way I was essentially marking my territory by not letting go of her hand.

"A move to the valley," Julian said, nodding respectfully. "A bold play for privacy. I admire that." He turned to Shailyn. "It was truly a pleasure, Shailyn. I suspect Dwayne is a very lucky man."

"I'm a very lucky man, Julian," I said.

Julian chuckled, seemingly unfazed. "I'm sure you are. Jack, Monica, I think I’ll head out. I have a flight to catch in the morning."

He gave a polite nod and made his exit. I watched him go until the gates closed behind him.

"Finally," I muttered.

Shailyn burst out laughing, leaning her head against my chest. "Dwayne Belmar, you are absolutely ridiculous."

"He was touching your arm, Shailyn. Multiple times."

"He was being European! And he was talking about shipping routes!" She looked up at me, her eyes dancing with amusement. "You were hovering like a protective hawk the entire time. Hannah and Monica were taking bets on when you were going to 'accidentally' spill a drink on him."

"I wouldn't have wasted a good drink," I said, though I was finally starting to relax. I pulled her closer, the scent of her perfume finally washing away the irritation of the afternoon. "I just don't like the way he was looking at you. Like you were a prize to be won."

"I’m not a prize, Dwayne. I’m your wife. And the mother of your three children. And your boss, technically."

"Don't remind me," I joked, kissing the top of her head. 

"You did good today," she whispered. "The announcement felt right. A new house. A new start. No more Dante, no more Tyler... just us."

I looked out over the lawn at our friends, our laughing daughters, and our sleeping son. The sulkiness was gone, replaced by a deep, quiet sense of victory.

"Just us," I agreed. "But if Julian ever comes back from London, he’s staying at a hotel. Far away."

Shailyn laughed, the sound bright and clear against the afternoon air. "Deal.”