CHAPTER 236: BABY AT WORK

–Livana–

The sight before me was both ridiculous and heartbreakingly sweet. My husband—my ever-serious, ever-obsessive Damon—looked as if he were preparing to train a young heir to a throne rather than a toddler who still couldn’t pronounce half his words.

I giggled softly, a sound I rarely allowed others to hear, but one he could always draw out of me. The robot Lore built hovered beside them, its small monitor showing my face in real time. Through its lens I saw Sky perched on his high chair, clutching a pencil in his tiny fist, tongue peeking out as he attempted to scribble.

"Darling, he’s barely two years old," I reminded gently, though he wasn’t listening—of course he wasn’t.

"He will soon know about family business," Damon replied without even glancing up. His voice was stern, businesslike. "Also, he seems fine with me here."

"He needs to play, my dear." My tone was soft, but firm—the kind of firmness he understood.

"Of course, he can play all day. Just an hour or two with me." He paused only to pull Sky’s high chair even closer to his side. "I’ll be attending a meeting."

I watched as he opened his laptop, adjusting the webcam with a seriousness that would make anyone think he was presenting to world leaders rather than to a board who already feared him.

"Alright, Sky. Here’s a meeting with the board. You need to listen attentively," Damon instructed.

Sky yawned, slumping against Damon’s leather swivel chair, blinking slowly like a tiny owl.

"Nomnom," he mumbled.

My husband immediately handed him a biscuit. Sky nibbled it with both hands like some small, hungry creature.

I rolled my eyes at Damon’s workaholic streak—back with full force after a year of rest. And of course, he dragged our child into his world without hesitation. Typical.

His focus on the meeting was so intense that he failed to notice Sky falling asleep, head tilted back adorably, biscuit still in hand.

I steered the robot closer, its mechanical arms gently closing Damon’s laptop and finally pulling his attention away. He blinked at the robot, then at Sky.

I pointed at our sleeping toddler.

Damon’s expression softened instantly. He unstrapped Sky with practiced gentleness, scooping him into his arms without disrupting the meeting. He kept his voice level while wiping crumbs from Sky’s mouth, then cleaning his small hands with wet wipes, all the while listening and responding to the board as if this delicate choreography was nothing unusual.

I watched them move through the house—Damon carrying Sky to the nursery, placing the robot on the crib’s edge so I could see. He undressed our son carefully, changing his diaper, dressing him in soft cotton clothes, humming under his breath in that low, warm tone he only used around Sky and me.

"You know, Love... it’s better if you are here. Working from here," he murmured, brushing Sky’s hair gently.

"I know." My voice softened. "Soon. I’ll set this up with Laura by next week."

"I can’t wait for that."

"I know." I giggled, leaning closer to the robot’s camera. "Go to the same club tonight. The same hotel room. I’ll meet you there."

His lips curled into that boyish smile he tried so hard to hide.

"Okay. I’m excited for that."

"But have you gone to the hospital for a check-up?"

"I’ll go this afternoon," he promised, the way he always did when he wanted me at ease.

"Alright. I’ll wait in the club."

"Got it." He kissed the robot’s camera—an absurd gesture that still made warmth bloom in my chest—then quietly left the room.

I sighed softly, my gaze settling on my little Sky through the monitor. His chest rose and fell gently, small fingers curled near his cheek.

My adorable little love. My tiny calm in this relentless world.

–Damon–

Just like Livana said, there were still people coming after me ever since I started working again. Caine even arrived earlier than expected, bringing flowers and chocolates for Deanne.

"Chef Wally is here for dinner," Deanne grinned and snuggled against Caine. Those two always forget that there are other people existing in the living room.

The entire afternoon, Dr. Reyes gave me a full-body check-up. X-ray, MRI, various blood tests, CT scan—whatever shit he required. And it was finally time to check with Dr. Green for my sperm count or whatever else they needed.

Tomorrow, I’ll get the results. But I had to come home first—for my son and for dinner.

My son and the twins are always happiest at mealtime. Sitting together, eating whatever nutritious food Chef Wally prepares. No MSG, no heavy seasoning. They eat exactly what their pediatrician recommends. That’s why the three of them rarely get sick. Their weight is normal, and they’re always active.

I checked my Patek. Two more hours to get there. I was already dressed for it, and I didn’t need to brush my teeth—my wife needed to know I had dinner. I ate a lot, the usual portion whenever I dine with her.

"Where are you going?" Laura asked.

"I need to get laid."

Silence.

"What?"

I glanced at her.

"You heard me. Your sister wants me to have fun, so I’ll have fun."

I stood and approached my son, kissed his head and cheeks.

"Good night, Sky."

"Bye, Dada!" He waved cutely as I smiled and kissed the twins.

"I’ll be going now." I winked at Laura, who gave me a weird look. She’ll understand soon.

I used one of my sports cars. Drive safely. I can’t have my wife scolding me for speeding. And I follow traffic rules now.

When I got to the club, I went straight to the hostess who escorted me to a VIP room. Men in black, a woman with black hair—and to my surprise, Sophia and my mother-in-law were already there.

The men left. I greeted Sophia and kissed my mother-in-law’s cheeks before sitting next to my wife and kissing her lips. She tapped my thigh, smiling.

"So, how’s our little Sky?" Mom asked.

"You overloaded him with too much information," Sophia complained as I chuckled.

"I think Sky was interested... for a while," I shrugged.

"Dear, he’s a toddler," Mom laughed. "But he was adorable in that little bowtie Jane put on him."

"Indeed," I grinned. "But he’s attentive. We just need to make more babies." I said it while sliding my hand around my wife’s waist and kissing her cheek.

Sophia burst out laughing as she took another bottle of ginger ale with vodka from the fridge. I wanted whiskey, but my wife pushed a pina colada into my hand—no alcohol.

"Oh, by the way. I told Kai to follow me here. He’ll be here shortly."

Sophia’s eyes lit up.

"Thank you! You’re the best brother-in-law."

I winked and twirled my wife’s hair between my fingers.

"Now, let’s talk business," Mom said as she placed a tablet on the table. "You’ll be taking Laura on a trip. Laura’s entire family," she smiled, and I nodded. "Next week. But your service will be taking the long route. There will be a few more stops and multiple car switches. I already talked to Louie—he’ll handle the company for a few weeks while the Chairwoman is away."

"No devices, as agreed," Livana added, and I nodded.

"We’ll also need to wait a few more months before Livana reveals herself to the whole family. For now, we stick to the plan," Mom continued. "I can’t keep hiding from Laura. It’s been years. And I know it hurts her deeply."

I could already imagine Laura’s outburst. Between her and Livana, Laura feels everything louder. Damien will have to brace himself—but he can handle her. He always has.

"As for your operations," Livana slid her hand into mine, "the people following you are Tyrona’s men. She’s probably curious why you finally left your nest." She grinned as I kissed her forehead.

"Please, enough with the PDA. Right, Auntie?" Sophia complained.

Mom just laughed but nodded in agreement.

Then my phone buzzed—Tyrona made a move. She was in the club. Just like before, she was probably hunting for whoever I slept with, threatening them, hurting them.

I don’t understand her mind. I never loved that woman. There was no ’us.’ I even had David play her fake lover’s role. Yet she wouldn’t stop. After everything she did to my wife. Twice—no, more times than I can count.

"Tyrona’s here," I said. Livana only nodded. Not surprised.

We watched the club’s cameras on the flat screen. Tyrona passed by a man ramming a woman while a group of intoxicated idiots surrounded them.

"Oh, that little bitch is still alive?" Mom Ines chuckled, sipping her wine.

"I want to bald her hair," Sophia muttered. She grabbed her phone. "Hello, yes. Those people screwing by our expensive table? Tell them to check in first. They can’t mess around where people eat and drink."

Minutes later, staff and bouncers cleaned up the chaos.

Tyrona didn’t care. She strutted toward the VIP section and entered another room.

"Who is she meeting?" Sophia asked.

Livana switched angles. Tyrona sat alone until a group of men and women entered. She started barking orders—take photos of any woman I’m seen with.

"Her obsession with you is insane," Sophia said.

"Or she’s obsessed with Livana—and the idea that she’s still alive," Mom Ines corrected. "She’s obsessed with the thought of you never being happy or having a second wife. After what you did to her lover."

I raised my hand.

"We were following the Madrigal contract."

Livana nodded. "Alejandro was an idiot. He would’ve ruined everything. Besides, it’s in their old laws."

"The Madrigals," Mom scoffed. "Where are they now?"

"They attended Livana’s funeral. With their traditional offerings," Sophia said. I vaguely remembered that old man speaking to me. I was completely out of it then.

"Tyrona made a powerful ally. Killing her won’t be easy," Livana added. "Not that I want to kill her. She has a kid."

"You had a baby too," Ines countered. I silently agreed. "But we can’t kill her yet. We should focus on the empire protecting her. Let’s start with the Achille Empire."

Achille Empire. As powerful as Livana’s. I don’t know how Tyrona managed to have them on her side.

Which means... a bloody war is coming.

"Now I’m thinking," Livana smirked, looking dangerously beautiful. "Just like what Dela Vega did with Blackwell and Braxton... we should do the same."

Damn. My wife looked even sexier when planning an empire-level war.