Chapter 292

Chapter 292
【Luna's Perspective】

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my breathing even, pretending to have fallen asleep. The truth was, I wanted nothing more than to say yes, to stand before our families and declare our love. But William remained at large, his shadow looming over every moment of happiness. I couldn't fully embrace joy until my grandmother's murderer faced justice.

Max pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, seemingly content to let me rest without an answer.

---

The next morning, the doctor examined Max's wound with approval. "No signs of infection. You're free to go home, Mr. Morrison."

Kevin had already arranged transportation to the Blake residence. I noticed Max's impatience as we completed the discharge paperwork, his eagerness to return home evident in every movement.

Upon arriving at the Blake mansion, Max insisted on seeing Liam immediately, despite my protests about his injury. In the nursery, he carefully lifted our son from the crib, cradling him with practiced gentleness.

"Do you still recognize Daddy?" Max murmured, studying our baby's face. "It's been a month. You've grown so much."

My heart swelled watching them together. In Max's steady hands, Liam looked impossibly small and perfectly safe. When our son's lips curled into a toothless smile, Max's entire face transformed with joy.

The tender moment was interrupted by the patter of small feet as Matthew burst into the room, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"Luna, is that the baby?" he asked, pointing at Liam.

I knelt to his level. "Matthew, come here. This is Liam."

"I want to hold my nephew," Matthew declared, stretching his arms upward.

Max raised an eyebrow. "Nephew?"

"He's Matthew's nephew," I explained.

Max nodded in understanding, then crouched carefully, mindful of his injured leg. "Matt, this is Liam Morrison. You can call him by his name or Little M if you prefer."

Matthew's face lit up as he peered at the baby. He planted a sloppy kiss on Liam's forehead. "Little M is so cute. Can I have him?"

"Matthew," I laughed, "Max and I only have one child. We can't give him away."

"Why don't you make another one?" Matthew asked innocently.

"Why don't Mom and Dad make you a little brother instead?" I countered.

Matthew sighed dramatically. "They said they're too old and can't have more babies."

"Of course they're old," I teased. "They used to have just me, and all their love was for me alone. Now they have you, and you've taken half their love."

"But you have Max's love," Matthew pointed out.

I glanced up to find Max watching us, his eyes filled with warmth.

"I want Little M," Matthew insisted. "I'll take care of him and play with him in my room."

"He's not a toy," I explained patiently.

"He's better than toys! He cries and laughs and makes funny sounds."

As if on cue, Liam gurgled, "Gah-ah..."

"He did it again!" Matthew exclaimed, jumping with excitement. "Little M, come play in Uncle's room!"

I sighed, resigning myself to my brother's persistence.

Max surprised me by carefully lifting both children, balancing Liam in one arm and helping Matthew onto his hip. "Let's go downstairs. Your parents will want to see both of you."

"Max, your leg!" I protested.

"It's nothing," he dismissed, already heading toward the door.

In the living room, my parents greeted us warmly. My mother immediately rushed forward.

"Max, you're injured! Why are you carrying both children?" she fretted.

"It's just a scratch," Max assured her, allowing my father to take Matthew while my mother carefully received Liam.

"I want to take care of Little M!" Matthew announced to the room. "I want to raise him!"

My mother smiled indulgently. "Of course, dear."

"Luna won't let me," Matthew pouted. "She's selfish."

"When Liam is a bit older and can walk, then you can help take care of him," my mother promised.

Matthew's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really," my mother confirmed.

Matthew turned to me for confirmation. "Sister, is that true?"

"Yes," I relented. "You can help, but no taking it back later."

"I won't!" Matthew declared. "I'll take care of Little M forever and ever. When I grow up, I'll make lots of money to buy him toys!"

"Let's record that promise," I suggested, taking out my phone. "Say it again for the camera."

Matthew faced the camera solemnly. "I will take care of Little M. I'll bathe him, dress him, feed him, change his diapers, sleep with him, tell him stories, and protect him. When I grow up, I'll make money to buy him toys, lots and lots of toys."

"For how long?" I prompted.

Matthew thought for a moment. "Many, many years. A hundred thousand years!"

"Liam is so fortunate to have such a devoted uncle," I laughed.

My father and Max exchanged amused glances, the room filling with laughter and light.

Our family moment was interrupted by Edmund's arrival. "Sir, Madam, there are two visitors asking to see Mr. Morrison."

Max looked puzzled.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"They claim to be Mr. Morrison's friends," Edmund explained. "They heard about his discharge and came to visit."

"Show them in," I instructed.

Moments later, Nathan entered, followed closely by Lily. I maintained my composed smile despite the immediate tension her presence created.

"Max," Nathan greeted warmly. "Lily mentioned you were hospitalized and discharged today. I wanted to check on you."

Lily offered polite greetings to my parents, who welcomed them with genuine hospitality, unaware of the history.

"Luna, it's been a while," Nathan acknowledged me.

"Hello, Nathan," I responded cordially. "Please, have a seat."

The conversation flowed pleasantly until Lily's attention fixed on Liam.

"Is that Max's son?" she asked abruptly.

I seized the opportunity to escape. "Liam is hungry. I should take him upstairs to the nurse. Nathan, please make yourself comfortable. I'll be back shortly."

As I left, I heard Lily ask, "He's not breastfed?"

My mother replied simply, "No."

"For a premature baby with health concerns, breast milk would be ideal," Lily's voice carried judgment. "Is Luna unwilling to make that sacrifice for her child?"

I froze on the stairs, fighting the urge to return and defend myself.

My mother's voice remained steady. "Have you had children yourself, Lily?"

"Not yet," came the reply. "But if it were my child, I would never allow a premature birth, nor would I permit formula feeding."

"How admirable," my mother responded with barely concealed sarcasm. "Though I should mention that my daughter experienced complications during childbirth. With Liam in neonatal intensive care, her emotional distress affected her milk production. It wasn't by choice."

I continued upstairs, grateful for my mother's defense but stung by Lily's presumption.

Later, I overheard Lily questioning Max's living arrangements. "Why are you staying at Luna's family home instead of your villa in The Enclave?"

My mother quickly intervened. "Luna and Max are married. Her home is his home. It's wonderful having everyone together."

I understood my mother's unspoken fear—after years of imprisonment, she craved the security of family united under one roof.

Max eventually invited Nathan to the study, instructing Lily to remain with my parents. Through the afternoon, Lily's questions grew increasingly intrusive, examining our home, inquiring about staff, and finally requesting to see Max's bedroom—a request Edmund firmly declined.

In the study, I later learned, Max had confided his concerns about Lily's behavior to Nathan, who expressed genuine regret for his sister's obsession.

Their conversation shifted to political matters, with Nathan revealing troubling developments during Max's absence: Grace Sterling had broken with her father, the President, over her support for her fiancé Noah Walker's presidential campaign.

"If he becomes President," Nathan warned, "everything changes."

Their discussion was abruptly cut short by a tremendous crash from somewhere in the house.