C  

Chapter 264 

+25 BONUS 

I shut my laptop with more force than I should. 

No. I refuse to give those comments another second of my attention. So what if the public thinks Veronica would make a better Lima? Arthur doesn’t think that. Leertainly don’t. And that’s what matters. 

Moving day arrives before I know it. Once all of Miles and my belongings are packed, it finally hits me. We’re doing this. We’re finally going to live the life I always dreamed of–the three of us together, as a family, sharing the home that Arthur and I once adored. 

It feels unreal, but it’s not. It’s very much a reality now. 

The one thing I’m bringing that requires special handling is my exhibition centerpiece–the painting of our family on horseback. Thad it carefully wrapped and delivered to Arthur’s apartment this morning, planning to surprise him with it when 

we arrive 

Is tint everything?” I ask Miles, who has insisted on keeping several of his toys unpacked and clutched to his chest, “just in case they get scared in the box“. I don’t have the energy to insist that he’s more likely to lose his prized possessions if he doesn’t pack them up.. 

The drive to Arthur’s–our–place is short and familiar, and yet my stomach has butterflies the whole way. It’s silly, really. I 

I’ve 

stayed over dozens of times in the past few months, used to live here, but this is different. This is permanent. This is coming 

home. 

Arthur and Cliff meet us in the lobby, both grinning from ear to ear Arthur scoops Miles up in one arm and grabs a box with the other. “Welcome home,” Cliff says, hugging me tightly, and I can’t help but smile. 

We take the elevator up to the penthouse, and as the doors slide open, I’m greeted by the sight of our painting, already unwrapped and leaning against the wall opposite the door. 

“Oh,” I say, suddenly nervous. “You weren’t supposed to see that t.” 

Arthur sets Miles down and turns to me. “Is this for me?” 

I nod. “For us, really. For our home.” 

‘s your centerplece. Your best work. I thought you were going to sell it.” 

“Well, I’d rather give it to you, I say simply. 

Arthur steps closer to the painting, studying the details. “I can’t believe you’re giving this to me. It’s… it’s incredible, tris.” 

“Well, I thought your office needed something nice. To distract from your ugly face,” I tease, really more in an attempt to keep myself from crying than anything else. 

He laughs and shakes his head. “Well, then it’s perfect for that purpose. I’ll hang it tomorrow.” 

“You don’t have to- 

“It’s going in my office,” he says firmly. “Where everyone who comes to see the Alpha President can also see the most important thing in my life—my family.” 

The word “family” makes my chest constrict almost painfully. How many times did I dream of this over the years? Of being a real family with Arthur and Miles? And now here we are. 

Miles, oblivious to the emotional moment between his parents, tugs on Arthur’s pant leg. “Daddy, can you help me unpack my toys? 

Arthur chuckles, rattling Miles‘ hair. “Of course, buddy. Let’s get started. 

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we 

+25 BONUS 

spend the rest of the afterisoon unpacking, not that there’s much to unpack. Since the residency apartment was furnished and we moved so much over the past nine months, it’s not like wo bad much left other than our most prized possessions. For Mily, it’s his toys. For me, it’s my art supplies. I feel overwhelmed with excitement and emotion as I carefully arrange Miley 

erything in my old studio, already imagining what I’ll get started on tomorrow, 

By evening, we’re exhausted but satisfied. The apartment already feels different–warmner, somehow, with touches of my life and Miles’s integrated into the space. Or maybe it just feels different because I know it’s permanent this time, not just a temporary living arrangement. 

“What do you want for dinner?” 

er?” Arthur asks as we collapse onto the couch. “We could order in.” 

“Can we have pizza?” Miles pipes up immediately. 

1 laugh. “Pizza sounds perfect.” 

While we wait for the delivery, Arthur disappears into his bedroom and returns wearing a protesque monster mask. Miles shrieks with delight and takes off running, Arthur hambering after him, growling, with his arms outstretched. 

is voice muffled behind the mask. “I’m gonna eat you up! 

“I’m gonna get you!” Arthur growls, his 

Miles’s giggles echo through the apartment as he darts around the furniture, occasionally hiding behind me for protection. “Save me, Mommy!” he squeals, clutching at my legs. 

I press a hand to my chest, feigning terror. “Oh no! A monster! What ever shall we do?” 

Arthur approaches slowly, still growling, and I grab a throw pillow from the couch, brandishing It like a weapon. “Back, foul beast! You can’t have my son!” 

This sends Miles into another fit of giggles, and soon all three of us are engaged in a pillow fight, chasing each other around the living room. By the time the pizza arrives, we’re all breathless and aughing 

Chapter 265