Chapter 79
My phone buzzed just as I pulled up near the field where Dione was having her horseback riding training. Glancing at the screen, I saw Millie's name flash. Letting out a sigh, I slid my finger across the screen to answer.
"Millie," I said, pressing the phone to my ear. "How's everything going?"
"Media calls keep flooding in," she replied immediately, the tension in her voice clear. "They're asking whether you've been hiding a DeLacroix heir or something. We've handled it for now—told them we're not commenting on the news just yet."
I hummed, nodding to myself. "Keep saying that. Aurora and I will discuss it first before making any statement about Dione's existence." I paused, rubbing my temple. "Any urgent matters I need to check?"
Millie hummed softly on the other end. "No, none so far. Everything's under control. You don't need to worry."
"Alright. Thanks, Millie." I ended the call before she could respond.
Stepping out of the car, I headed straight toward the benches near the track and sat where I could clearly see Dione on her usual stallion.
She was riding confidently, guiding the horse as it leapt over the barriers.
Her posture was perfect—composed, sure, like she knew exactly what she was doing.
A proud smile tugged at my lips. She'd grown so much—athletic and full of energy. She had Aurora's creative streak for fashion, but she also carried her mother's drive for sports.
Then, in an instant, my heart stopped. Dione lost control of her horse. The stallion stumbled, and she fell, rolling hard on the ground.
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. "Oh my God!" I hissed, rushing forward. Her coach was already there, helping her up as I dropped to my knees beside her.
"Dione," I called, checking her face and arms. Her coach had already called for the medics.
Dione pulled off her helmet, grinning as if nothing had happened. "Mommy, I'm fine," she said, her face speckled with sand.
I let out an audible sigh, brushing the sand from her cheeks. "Are you sure? Maybe we should have you checked, just in case." My heart was still pounding wildly. "If your pops finds out, she's going to be frantic," I muttered under my breath, glancing at her.
Her cheeks were flushed but uninjured.
The medics arrived, ushering her toward the bleachers for a quick checkup.
Her coach came over to apologize, even though it wasn't anyone's fault.
One of the staff led the stallion away. I smiled and waved it off—Dione was fine, and that was all that mattered.
I waited outside while the medics assessed her for any injuries. A few minutes later, she emerged wearing clean clothes, her bag slung over her shoulder, beaming as she ran toward me.
"Mommy, I'm back!" she announced, bouncing on her feet. "I got a bruise." She tugged up the sleeve of her coat, proudly showing it off.
I reached for her arm, inspecting the small mark. "Does it hurt? Do you feel anything else—pain, dizziness? Did they check everything?"
"Mommy, I'm fine! No injuries at all," she insisted, covering her arm again. "The medic said I just need a cold compress for the bruise, and it'll go away. No fractures, no serious injuries, ma'am," she added with a playful salute.
Humming, I looked at her and ruffled her hair. "Good, because your pops might get too worried when she sees your bruise." I draped an arm over Dione's shoulders as she waved to her coach—her training session already done for the day.
"Mommy, let's go visit Pops at her office," she said, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Alright, let's drop by your pops' office," I said with a shrug, ushering her toward the passenger seat of the car. She slid in and set her bag on the backseat while I closed the door, then walked around to the driver's side and climbed in.
Dione hummed softly as she gazed out the window while I buckled my seatbelt and started the engine.
"Mommy," Dione called, her voice light and curious.
"Yes, sweetie?" I asked, glancing at her as I pulled out of the parking lot and merged onto the road.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Can you and Pops make me a sibling?"
My foot slammed on the brake. The car jerked to a halt, and I coughed in disbelief. "What the—" I bit my tongue, thankful there was no car behind us. "Dione!" I turned to her, eyes wide.
"What?" she pouted, her brows furrowed. "It's lonely being an only child. I want a sibling, Mommy."
"Oh my gosh," I groaned, shifting gears and starting to drive again. "It's not that easy, you know." My face burned at how casual she sounded, as if ordering a sibling was as simple as buying one. "Besides, your pops and I are still busy."
"But Mommy," she argued, grinning mischievously, "I didn't say I want one now. I can wait."
Her laughter made me scoff. "You know what? Why don't you just call your pops and tell her we're coming?" I pointed toward my handbag in the backseat.
Dione reached back, grabbed the bag, and pulled out my phone. She unlocked it, found Aurora's contact, and put the call on speaker.
"Sloey?" Aurora's familiar voice filled the car.
"Pops!" Dione squealed, clearly thrilled to hear her.
"Hey, sweetie," Aurora said, her voice softening. "Are you with Mommy?"
Dione nodded eagerly, even though Aurora couldn't see her. "Pops, are you still in your office? We're coming to visit!"
Aurora chuckled on the other end. "Is that so? Alright, I'll wait for you here."
"Yay!" Dione giggled. "I love you, Pops! See you soon!"
"I love you more, sweetie. Tell Mommy I love her too."
Dione grinned and held the phone toward me.
I glanced at her, then back at the road.
"I love you more," I said, my voice softening despite the heat rising to my cheeks.
Dione covered her mouth, trying not to squeal.
"We're driving to your office. I just picked up this young lady from horseback training, and she wouldn't stop insisting she see you. "
Aurora hummed thoughtfully. "Lucky for you, I don't have any meetings today. But the media still won't leave me alone."
I laughed. "We'll talk about that when we get there. They've been pestering me too. Anyway, I'll let you go. See you soon."
"Bye, Pops!" Dione called before ending the call. She hummed happily, her tune full of excitement.
I glanced at her, shaking my head in amusement as I slowed down and turned into the parking lot of Aurora's company.
"We're here, sweetie," I said, parking in an empty spot. Turning off the ignition, I unbuckled my seatbelt. Dione did the same, hopping out of the car first, her small figure practically skipping toward the entrance.
Getting out of the car, I made sure the doors were locked before holding Dione's hand and walking toward the building's lobby. We headed straight to the elevator hallway and entered the first one available. I pressed the panel for Aurora's floor.
When the elevator chimed, we both stepped out and made our way to Aurora's office. I tapped my access pass and opened the door, ushering Dione inside before following her.
Aurora was already walking toward us. Dione waved and jogged over, jumping into her arms. I just shook my head, smiling at the sight.
I walked to the couch and sat down as the two of them followed. Aurora took a seat beside me. "So," she said, gesturing toward Dione, "what's the plan for this young lady here? Should we announce she's our daughter?"
I reached for her hand. "I think we should. Maybe we can organize a proper event to introduce Dione to the elite."
It was probably for the best. The rumors linking me with someone else while I was clearly married to Aurora were getting out of hand. Besides, Dione deserved to be known as our daughter—not just someone else's child.
Aurora turned to Dione, who was sitting across from us. "Sweetie," she called softly, "do you want to design one of the dresses I'll be releasing in the next fashion collection?"
My brow arched, but I stayed quiet, curious. Dione's eyes sparkled with excitement, her hands clasped together. "Can I really, Pops?"
Dione had always dreamed of designing a single dress for Aurora's line. She used to daydream about it all the time, and now, my little mini-Aurora was about to have her dream come true.
"Of course," Aurora said warmly. "As long as you want to, you can."
Realizing something, I glanced at her. "Don't tell me—"
"Let's announce it during the after-party of the fashion show," Aurora interrupted, looking between me and Dione. "The world needs to know we have a daughter—and she could be the next top fashion designer, if that's what she wants."
Dione's grin widened. "Does that mean I get to see runway models, Pops?"
I scoffed. She'd always loved pretending to have her own runway shows at home, strutting around in her makeshift outfits.
Aurora nodded. "Uh-huh, lots of them."
I nudged her playfully, earning a cough and a laugh. I rolled my eyes and squinted. "You just want to go to the fashion show so you can see a bunch of hot models," I teased.
Chuckling, Aurora leaned closer, her voice low and warm against my ear. "You know you're the hottest woman in my eyes. No one could ever beat you," she whispered before nibbling lightly at my earlobe.
The gesture made me flustered, and I quickly tried to hide it. If Dione caught that expression, she'd never let me live it down.
"Mommy's a little jelly, Pops," Dione teased, slipping off her coat and folding it neatly.
Aurora's smile faded slightly when she noticed the faint bruises on Dione's arm. "What happened to you?" she asked, concern flashing in her eyes.
"Ro," I said gently, patting her thigh with a reassuring smile. "Relax. Dione just had a small fall while riding her horse. She was checked for any fractures—there's nothing wrong. Everything's fine."
Aurora glanced at me again, still uneasy. "Are you sure?"
"Pops," Dione called out as she walked toward us.
"This is nothing. Look!" She stretched her arms toward Aurora like she was showing off a trophy instead of bruises.
"I lost my balance during practice and got knocked off, but I'm a strong girl, Pops. I didn't even cry."
Seeing Aurora's reaction, I turned to her. Her jaw had tightened, and her hand trembled slightly. She didn't say anything, but I could tell something was wrong.
"Ro?" I reached out and touched her shoulder, rubbing it gently to calm her. "Are you alright?"
She let out a long sigh, shutting her eyes briefly before opening them again. "Yeah, I just got worried." Then she turned to Dione. "Are you sure it doesn't hurt too much? We could have our family doctor check you—maybe even run a few tests."
I blinked and exhaled softly.
I knew she'd overreact; I was like that before, too.
But I'd learned to let Dione grow up in her own way—as long as I was there to guide her.
"Darling," I began gently, "Dione's fine.
I have her checked every quarter for tests and everything else.
Besides, didn't I tell you? There's nothing to worry about when it comes to her bruises. "
Dione giggled and climbed onto Aurora's lap. "Mommy, Pops is overprotective just like you."
"Well," Aurora said, tucking a strand of hair behind Dione's ear, "I'm sorry if I'm being overprotective, young lady. You're precious to me—just like your mommy is."
I shook my head and clicked my tongue with a teasing smile. "We should head out for lunch. Pretty sure Dione wouldn't like it if the dinosaur inside her tummy got hungry."
"Mommy," Dione pouted, standing up as well.
Aurora laughed softly and rose from her seat, walking back to her desk. "Let me grab my things."
I walked toward the door, waiting beside Dione. Aurora joined us moments later, her bag over her shoulder. "Let's go," she said as she opened the door.
Stepping out, I paused to wait for the two of them. Aurora locked her office door before turning to Celeste, who had spotted us in the hallway. "Celeste, I'm heading out first. You know the routine—call me if anything urgent comes up."
I glanced at Celeste, giving her a subtle nod and a small smile before turning back to Dione, who was already holding my hand. With her free hand, she reached for Aurora's.
We walked hand in hand, Dione chatting animatedly with Aurora, giggling the entire way. We were like that—lost in our own world, not caring what anyone else thought. After all, we were a family—legal and binding.
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My steps faltered as I walked past Aurora's atelier inside our house. I took a step back and peered through the doorway. Both Aurora and Dione had their backs to me—Aurora guiding Dione's hands as she sewed the fabric.
A smile tugged at my lips. I quietly pulled out my phone, unlocked it, and took a few photos of them before slipping back into the hallway toward the kitchen. I decided to make them some snacks.
After preparing a tray, I returned to the atelier. "Knock, knock," I said, stepping inside and placing the tray on the nearby table. "I hope I'm not disturbing the two designers here?"
Aurora and Dione turned. Dione rushed over to hug me while Aurora smiled and walked toward me, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.
"How's it going?" I asked, ruffling Dione's hair with one hand while the other cupped Aurora's face.
"Everything's great," Aurora said proudly. "Dione's a fast learner. I can't believe she could do this already." She reached out and playfully pinched Dione's cheek.
Dione grinned. "I'm gonna finish it first, Mommy, Pops," she said, hurrying back to the table and settling into her chair.
"Aren't you going to have your snacks first, sweetie?" I called out as she began stitching again.
"Later, Mommy," she said, not even looking up.
I sighed and shook my head before turning to Aurora. Leaning back against the table, I found myself caged between her arms as she braced her hands on either side of me.
"She's really into fashion design," Aurora murmured, clicking her tongue in fond disbelief.
"Runs in the DeLacroix blood, I guess," I said with a small shrug, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "You've been pulling another all-nighter again?" I asked, noticing the faint shadows beneath her eyes.
She gave me a tired smile, picking up a glass of strawberry smoothie from the tray and taking a sip. "I've finished everything. The only thing left is that," she nodded toward Dione, "the dress she designed—it's going to be included in the line-up."
Licking her lips, Aurora set the glass down and leaned closer to me. I instinctively leaned back, glancing toward Dione. "Ro," I whispered, voice low, "our daughter's here."
Aurora only smiled, sliding one hand to the small of my back to pull me closer. "Thank you for always supporting me," she murmured before pressing playful kisses to my lips.
I couldn't help but clutch her shoulders, giggling as she trailed kisses along my cheek and neck. "Ro," I hissed between laughs, trying not to make noise.
Aurora chuckled softly and rested her head on my shoulder. "I'm so lucky to have you," she whispered.
My heart swelled at her words. I wrapped my arms around her, gently rubbing her back.
"Mommy, I want to join too!" Dione squealed, running toward us and wrapping her little arms around our waists.
I laughed, shaking my head at how clingy they both were. "Sweetie, you know what? Before you became my baby, your pops was my baby first."
Dione laughed loudly, while Aurora hugged us both tighter.
Then Aurora's voice dropped, barely above a whisper against my neck.
"I never had a happy, complete family," she murmured.
"Let's not ruin this one, yeah? I want Dione to have what I never did—a home that's whole and filled with love. "
I nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Of course, honey," I whispered back.
Days turned into weeks, and soon, Aurora's fashion week arrived—culminating in the much anticipated after-party. Watching her stand on the runway, presenting her collection, modeling her own masterpiece before bowing to the crowd—I couldn't help but feel awe.
Standing beside her later that night, I realized I wasn't just proud—I was her biggest fan.
The cameras flashed in front of us as we stood side by side, fingers intertwined.
Aurora looked stunning—elegant and effortlessly handsome in her midnight three-piece suit.
In contrast, my gown shimmered under the lights, glowing like soft sunlight breaking through the dawn.
I noticed Aurora squinting slightly. "Ro," I whispered, leaning closer. "Feeling dizzy?"
She hummed, nodding once. "Probably just fatigue from Fashion Week," she murmured, clicking her tongue. "The flashes make it worse." She adjusted her jacket and tried to stand straighter, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.
Letting go of her hand, I smiled softly and ran my palms over her shoulders. "Later tonight," I murmured, meeting her eyes, "I'll give you a massage."
She chuckled, her voice low and amused. "I'll be holding you to that."
I laughed quietly and tapped the tip of her nose.
Then, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. I turned toward the entrance just as a sleek limousine pulled up. The air shifted, attention diverting from us to the arriving car. My hand instinctively reached for Aurora's again.
The door opened—and Dione stepped out, guided by Millie and Soeren.
My breath caught. Under the soft gold light, my daughter looked ethereal. Her gown flowed like liquid silk, her half-masquerade mask glinting with tiny gems. For a moment, it felt surreal—she didn't look like a little girl anymore.
"Look at her," I whispered. "She doesn't even look like our daughter tonight... she looks like one of your haute couture models."
Aurora grinned, pride glowing in her eyes. Dione walked toward us with poise beyond her years, smiling as she spotted us. Soeren extended his hand to Aurora while Millie and I greeted each other with a cheek-to-cheek kiss.
"Thank you, Millie," I whispered.
She nodded and smiled before stepping aside. Around us, the whispers grew louder—some guessing whether Dione was a model, a muse, or Aurora's latest protégé.
I reached out and gently adjusted Dione's mask.
Her eyes flicked between me and Aurora, bright with excitement and pride.
I smiled faintly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Millie and Soeren excused themselves, leaving the three of us alone beneath the flashing lights.
Dione stood between us as we walked down the red carpet toward the stage. Aurora's new collection—éclipse de l'Aube, The Eclipse of Dawn—was the highlight of the evening.
Tonight, the world would know who Dione truly was. Tonight, the elite would meet the heiress of DeLacroix.
We stood at the center of the platform stage, lights framing us in a soft golden glow. The host handed Aurora and me champagne flutes, while Dione received a glass of sparkling water.
Aurora stepped forward and reached for the microphone. She raised her glass slightly before setting it aside. "Good evening, everyone," she began.
Her voice carried through the hall, calm yet commanding, silencing the chatter. "First of all, thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the culmination of Fashion Week—and the vision behind DeLacroix Couture and the DeLacroix Luxury House."
Camera flashes flickered once again, momentarily blinding me. I blinked, turning slightly toward Dione. She stood perfectly composed beside me. I leaned down just a bit. "You okay, sweetie?" I whispered.
Dione smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mommy."
I exhaled softly and rested a reassuring hand behind her back, tracing slow circles to soothe her.
Aurora continued, her tone graceful yet firm.
"I would also like to extend a special thanks to our partners from Geneva, Switzerland.
A visionary designer and owner herself—please, everyone, let's give a warm welcome to Ms. Sienna Reed-Pierce and her family, who join us tonight. "
She gestured elegantly toward one of the front tables, where Sienna and her guests sat.
"And finally," Aurora continued, her gaze sweeping across the audience, "to our investors, partners, and esteemed guests—it is our honor to stand before you tonight and share an important chapter of our story."
A silence followed. Aurora looked around, then glanced at us, particularly at Dione. She gave us a smile before turning her attention back to the guests.
"Tonight marked more than a collection," she continued. "It marked a legacy. Thirteen years ago, I began this journey not only to create fashion, but to create meaning—a reflection of the eternal cycles of life."
She gestured to herself. "Dawn." Then to me. "Sun." Then she stepped closer to us, standing beside Dione as she rested her hand on our daughter's shoulder. "And moon."
Dione stood there, chin high as she looked at the guests. I almost laughed at how boastful my daughter could be. Setting my glass aside, I gently took Dione's and placed it next to mine.
Aurora took a deep breath.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she said, pausing as she looked around once again.
"This"—she gestured to Dione—she gave me a subtle nod, and I began to remove Dione's mask.
"Is my daughter. Our daughter, Sloane's and mine. She is Dione Duvall DeLacroix."
Gasps echoed, and whispers filled the air. Camera flashes burst around us. I took a step forward, ushering Dione ahead. Grabbing the nearby microphone, I took the stage.
"For years, I guarded her from this world—away from prying eyes and flashing cameras," I began, looking at Aurora.
We exchanged a faint smile and a subtle nod.
"Aurora didn't know we had a child before we parted ways, but she deserves to know every truth.
And tonight," I paused, scanning the crowd.
Whether they judged us or not, I didn't care.
What mattered most was my daughter, my family.
"There will be no more hiding. Dione, our daughter, will stand where she belongs, beside her family. "
The words rippled through the silence, as if we had just made headlines.
"I knew it! Look at the girl—she's a DeLacroix through and through. No way Ms. Duvall had a child with someone else; she's always been in love with Aurora!"
I heard a voice call out and couldn't help but scoff, because there was no denying it. My gaze drifted to Aurora. She was the only one I would ever love. She had owned my heart since day one.
Aurora handed Dione her microphone, and Dione gladly accepted it. She stepped forward, looking around the crowd. She bowed politely, then stood tall.
"Good evening, everyone," she began. "I am Dione Duvall DeLacroix, and I am proud to be the daughter of Aurora DeLacroix and Sloane Duvall."
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I cleared my throat, trying not to tear up. My daughter was growing up so fast, already able to command a crowd with such grace.
"I am proud they are my parents—both of them," Dione said, her voice breaking but her posture firm. She turned to us, eyes shining. "I love you, Mommy. I love you, Pops!"
As if on cue, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. My hands rested on Dione's shoulders as Aurora bent down to press a kiss onto our daughter's temple. Aurora took the microphone back and stood tall once more.
"To set the record straight, yes, Sloane and I have a child. Not born from scandal, not from betrayal, but from love. And I expect no one," she said, her gaze sweeping across the room, "to ever link my daughter or my wife to anyone else."
After the announcement, we made our way to our reserved table. Aurora's father's side of the family was already there.
"Oh my gosh, Rory! I didn't know I had a niece from you!" Thalia exclaimed with a laugh. She turned to me, and we exchanged a quick cheek kiss.
Thalia's gaze landed on Dione as she bent down slightly. "Hello there," she said, waving her fingers. "I'm Thalia Petrou—your aunt."
My daughter smiled shyly. "Hello, Aunt Thalia."
Thalia clasped her hands against her chest, gasping dramatically. "She's your mirror, Rory! She looks just like you!" she exclaimed, cupping Dione's face.
I couldn't help but laugh softly at her reaction as I wrapped an arm around Aurora.
"Dione," Aurora called gently, catching our daughter's attention. "Go on, sweetheart. Give your grandfather a kiss," she said, gesturing toward her father.
Dione looked at Aurora, then at her grandfather. "Hello, Grandpopsy," she said, taking his hand and kissing it.
"And... uh..." Aurora cleared her throat. "Why don't you greet your step-grandmother, too?"
"Hello, Grandmomsy!" Dione grinned, taking Aurora's stepmother's hand and kissing it as well.
Looking at the scene before me, my heart swelled with pride. Finally, I no longer had to hide my daughter. I no longer had to keep her existence a secret from the people who should have known her all along.
Aurora pulled me closer and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Thank you, Sloey," she murmured. "I'm forever grateful to have you back in my life—and for giving me our daughter."
When I glanced up at her, she smiled. "I love you so much," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
I hummed, rubbing her back gently as I caught the glisten of unshed tears in her eyes. The event was coming to an end, and Dione was onstage with Thalia, the two of them laughing as they posed for pictures as if they'd known each other forever.
Sitting on a chair, I bent down to touch my feet, but paused when Aurora knelt in front of me, her fingers already working at the straps of my heels.
"What are you doing?" I asked, blinking at her.
She glanced up at me with a grin. "Changing your heels," she said simply, slipping them off and sliding a pair of flat sandals onto my feet.
My face flushed at her gentle gesture.
"You don't need to wear heels all the time," she added, standing up and unbuttoning her suit jacket. She shrugged it off and draped it over my shoulders before taking the seat beside me.
A moment later, Dione came running back to us, giggling as she kicked off her own heels. "Pops," she grinned, "can you carry me?"
I scoffed, raising an eyebrow at her. Aurora chuckled beside me. "And why's that?"
Dione pouted dramatically. "Because my feet are aching from wearing heels for too long," she snickered.
"I thought you were a big girl now," I teased, leaning back as I picked up her shoes. "Why would you let your pops carry you?"
"But I'm still your baby. Until I have a baby sister or brother, I'll be your baby first," she said matter-of-factly.
I couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking my head.
Aurora scoffed playfully, bending down to pick up my heels before pulling a chair away from the table. "Step up here," she told Dione, pointing at the seat.
Dione climbed onto the chair, still giggling. Aurora lifted her with ease, and Dione wrapped her legs around Aurora's waist and her arms around her neck, resting her head against her mother's shoulder.
"Should we head home?" Aurora asked, glancing at me as she adjusted Dione in her arms.
I nodded, standing up. "We should."
We walked side by side—Aurora's hand reaching out to hold mine while her other arm supported Dione, who hummed softly against her shoulder.
"Mommy, Pops," she said, her voice gentle and drowsy. "You're the best parents in the world. I love you both."