Epilogue
Celeste
The house felt the way only a home should feel - full of love. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, falling across the sofa where I sat with my daughter nestled against me. She was warm and perfect, her tiny fingers curling instinctively against my skin as she nursed.
She was already spoiled, though she hadn’t been on this earth for long.
Dante had commissioned an absurdly elaborate crib that looked fit for a princess, and Vigo insisted on reading to her every night, even though she could barely focus her eyes.
Liam sang to her, low and sweet, swaying her in his arms when she fussed.
And Sterling couldn’t stop holding her, promising her the world.
As for me, I could barely take my eyes off her. Every sound, every soft breath, was a miracle. She was a bundle of love, and everything I never knew I needed.
The phone buzzed beside me, pulling me reluctantly out of that cocoon of warmth. I adjusted the baby, pressing a kiss to her silky dark hair before answering.
“Celeste Harrington,” I said softly, trying not to disturb her latch.
“Miss Harrington,” I recognized the professional tone of the private investigator I’d hired months ago. “I have an update regarding your uncle’s history.”
My curiosity spiked. “Go on.”
There was a pause, then the words that followed nearly knocked the breath from my lungs. “As it turns out, I strongly believe you have more family that you didn’t know about. Your uncle had a child.” My world tilted. My uncle had a child. The investigator went on as I tried to focus.
“It seems that he never claimed the child, and likely wanted the whole thing to disappear. But I have strong evidence that your cousin is still alive.”
I nearly dropped the phone. My gaze snapped to my men, who were watching me with protective alertness.
“What happened?” Dante asked.
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering. “Gideon… he had a child. One that he abandoned. One that might still be alive.”
The room stilled. Sterling leaned forward, eyes sharp with focus. “You mean… you have family out there. A grown relative.”
I nodded, blinking rapidly, trying to keep my composure while my daughter suckled softly against me, grounding me. “I have family out there I didn’t know existed. All this time, I thought I was the only one left. I have to find them.”
Liam whistled low, exchanging a glance with Vigo. “Guess the Harrington family tree just got bigger.”
Vigo’s expression softened as he crouched by my side, brushing a hand over our daughter’s tiny head. “Then we will find them. No one gets thrown away. Not anymore.”
Tears burned in my eyes. I looked around at the men who had become my everything, then down at the little life in my arms. My empire, my pack, my child - and now a shadow of the past waiting to be unearthed.
I held my baby closer, whispering more to myself than anyone else. “If they are out there, we’ll bring them home.”
The End