The morning sun cast warm rays across the Lancaster estate, wrapping the world in gold—but the brightness outside couldn't compare to the quiet light that had returned to Adrian's heart.
He hadn't slept, but for the first time, it wasn't because of grief or insomnia. It was because of her. Celeste. Adrienne.
The kiss they shared the night before still lingered on his lips like a secret. A sacred secret he didn't want to let go of.
They had said very little after it happened. He stayed in her room for a while, sitting beside her on the edge of the bed, just holding her hand. No rush. No expectations. Just silence, and the soft echo of the past folding into the present.
But now, in the light of day, reality began to trickle in. With it came questions.
How could they keep this between them? How long before the children noticed? And… what would happen when the world found out?
---
Celeste stood in front of the bathroom mirror, fingertips brushing her lips. Last night's kiss had been more than a rekindling. It was a reunion. A promise. Adrian hadn't spoken those words aloud, but the way he touched her—cautiously, reverently—told her what she needed to know.
He was beginning to trust her again.
Still, today would test that fragile beginning.
There were eyes everywhere in the Lancaster home. Staff. Nannies. And, most of all… the twins.
Aria had always been perceptive, but Aiden had a sharper emotional compass. He didn't miss anything, even when he pretended not to care.
And Celeste had a growing suspicion that one of them had seen Adrian leaving her room.
---
Meanwhile, in the hallway down the east wing…
Aiden stood beside the bookshelf in his pajamas, fingers brushing a dusty copy of Peter Pan, but his eyes weren't on the page.
He had seen something last night.
He hadn't meant to. He'd just gone to the kitchen for a glass of water, barefoot and sleepy-eyed. But halfway down the hallway, he saw his father's silhouette standing in front of her door.
Then the door opened.
And then… a kiss.
Aiden didn't make a sound. Didn't move. Just watched.
It wasn't a dream.
And it wasn't a cold, polite kiss.
It was… warm.
---
At breakfast, tension hummed beneath the clatter of forks and the soft murmur of the house staff.
Celeste entered late, hair still damp from her shower, wearing a cream blouse that matched the soft roses on the breakfast table. Adrian was already seated at the head, reading the morning paper, but he looked up when she entered.
Their eyes met—brief but electric.
"Good morning," he said, tone casual but a little softer than usual.
Celeste nodded, taking her seat across from him. "Morning."
Aria raised an eyebrow between bites of toast. "You two are acting weird."
Aiden didn't speak. He just looked from one to the other, quiet and thoughtful.
Celeste offered a small smile. "Maybe we're just in a good mood."
Aria blinked. "Since when does he get in a good mood?"
Adrian glanced at his daughter, one brow raised. "Careful."
She rolled her eyes, smirking.
---
After breakfast, the family separated—Adrian heading to his home office, Aria to her painting lesson, and Aiden… vanished.
Celeste wandered the halls, checking the usual places, finally finding him in the old nursery—the one no one used anymore. He was sitting by the window, knees drawn to his chest, staring outside.
"You didn't go with Aria?" she asked gently.
He didn't answer right away.
Celeste sat on the floor beside him, folding her legs and letting silence settle before she spoke again.
"Aiden… did something happen?"
Still no response.
But then—"Do you love him?"
Her breath caught.
"Yes," she whispered.
Aiden looked at her, eyes too mature for his small face. "Is it because of who he was to my mom? Or because of who he is now?"
Celeste considered that for a moment.
"Both," she said finally. "I loved him once as someone else. And I'm falling in love with him again—as me."
He was quiet for a long time.
"Are you going to leave again?" he asked.
The question sliced her heart.
"No," she said firmly. "Not ever."
He leaned his head on her shoulder. "Then I guess it's okay."
She held him close, silent tears slipping down her cheeks.
---
Later that afternoon, in Adrian's office…
He was reviewing reports when Celeste knocked gently and entered.
"I spoke with Aiden," she said. "He saw us last night."
Adrian set the papers down. "Did he say anything?"
She nodded. "He asked if I loved you."
Adrian raised his eyebrows, heart hammering quietly in his chest. "And?"
"I told him the truth."
Adrian stood, pacing to the window. "Do you think it was a mistake?"
"No," she said. "But it can't stay hidden much longer."
He turned. "You want to tell them?"
"I think… they already know. At least, a part of them does."
Adrian ran a hand down his face. "The board won't take kindly to it."
"We'll deal with them."
"The media—"
"We'll deal with them too."
He looked at her. Really looked at her.
"You're not afraid of anything, are you?"
"I've already died once," she said with a soft smile. "What's there left to fear?"
He walked toward her, took her hand. "You give me more courage than I know what to do with."
She leaned into him. "Then use it. For us."
---
That evening, the twins were summoned to the sitting room. Adrian sat in his usual chair, Celeste beside him on the sofa, and the air was tight with anticipation.
Aria eyed them both. "Okay. What's going on?"
Adrian folded his hands. "We want to talk to you. About something important."
Aiden sat next to his sister, silent but alert.
"I know this might be strange, or even hard to believe," Celeste began, voice gentle, "but your father and I… we're—"
"In love," Aiden finished.
They blinked.
Aria's jaw dropped. "Wait—what?!"
Aiden shrugged. "I saw them. Last night."
Aria whipped around to him. "You spied on them?!"
"I was getting water!"
Celeste covered her mouth to hide her laugh.
Adrian cleared his throat. "Yes. We are… seeing each other. And before either of you say anything, this isn't some random fling. This has been building for a long time."
Aria folded her arms. "Are you going to marry her?"
Adrian blinked. "That's a… complicated question."
"Not really," Aria said. "If you're going to kiss her like that, you should marry her."
Aiden nodded solemnly.
Celeste turned bright red. "Okay, I think this conversation is derailing…"
Aria smiled slyly. "I like her. I liked her even when I didn't want to."
Adrian's eyes softened. "So… you're okay with this?"
Aria shrugged. "I still want to paint my room black, but yeah. You deserve to be happy, Dad."
Aiden leaned against Celeste again. "I'm just glad she came back."
Adrian looked at her, heart swelling.
"So am I," he whispered.
To be continued...