CHAPTER 93: 93

"Nyxella!" Elisa’s voice cracked as she pushed through the crowd, her shoes slapping against the damp pavement of the seaport. Her heartbeat thudded painfully in her ears until her gaze finally locked on the familiar curls and small frame in Nix’s arms. Relief washed through her so fast it nearly made her knees give way.

The moment little Nyxella heard her mother’s voice, her tiny head turned sharply, eyes lighting up. She squealed in excitement, her chubby hands waving in the air. Elisa didn’t even hesitate she sprinted the last few steps, scooping her baby into her arms, pulling her close against her chest as if afraid she might vanish again.

"Why did you do that, hmm?" she whispered between shaky breaths, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. "Mummy was scared, you know." Her voice was gentle but trembling, filled with both relief and reprimand. She pressed her forehead against her daughter’s tiny one, their breaths mingling as Nyxella reached out her small hands and cupped her mother’s face, rubbing her thumb clumsily against her cheek as though to wipe her tears.

That simple gesture broke Elisa all over again her daughter comforting her

Francesca, who had been standing a few steps behind, let out a long sigh of relief that trembled on its way out. Her hands still shook, and she clutched them together in front of her chest, silently thanking God that nothing worse had happened.

Liam, however, wasn’t as composed. He had been running toward them, ready to tear apart the whole port if he had to but the scene that greeted him froze him in place. His eyes darted from Elisa’s tear-streaked face to the man standing before her Nix Dean.

He’d seen Nix before. He knew his reputation, his temperament, and the darkness that seemed to follow him wherever he went. But what unsettled Liam wasn’t fear it was the way Nix was staring at his sister and her child. The intensity in Nix’s eyes was too quiet, too focused, too... personal. It made Liam’s stomach tighten, like he had stumbled upon something he shouldn’t be witnessing.

"Thank" Elisa’s words faltered halfway. The gratitude on her tongue froze the moment her eyes properly met Nix’s. Her breath hitched. She recognized him of course she did. There was no mistaking the sharp lines of his face.

Her lips parted slightly, but before anyone could notice her hesitation, she quickly straightened, hiding the tremor in her voice. "Thank you for saving her," she managed, forcing a polite smile, her composure returning as fast as it had fled.

Nix’s expression barely shifted, but his voice was smooth and calm, almost too controlled. "I did nothing," he said quietly, his gaze flicking down at the child now safely in her mother’s arms. "She was the one who found me."

But even as he said it, his eyes lingered longer than they should have first on Nyxella, whose bright eyes looked up at him with pure, unguarded curiosity, and then on Elisa. The way she held her daughter, her trembling hands, her tear-stained cheeks it struck a chord somewhere deep in his chest.

For a brief moment, something fragile and almost familiar stirred in him. The tenderness in her touch reminded him of her.. of Carmela the woman he had once lost.

He clenched his jaw, shifting his gaze away abruptly, shaking his head slightly as if trying to dislodge the thought. No. He couldn’t be feeling that again. It was only because Elisa bore such an uncanny resemblance to Carmela that he felt this strange pull, this warmth in his chest. That had to be it.

Still, his eyes betrayed him. When he glanced back, they softened without his permission. There was something about this woman’s quiet strength something that both haunted and calmed him at once.

And as the sea breeze brushed past, carrying the faint scent of salt and lilies, Nix found himself staring at mother and child, wondering not for the first time if fate was trying to play a cruel joke on him.

"Isn’t it funny how your name and hers are.."

"I think it’s time we all go," Liam cut in sharply, his tone polite but firm. "This area’s getting chilly, and it isn’t good for either mother or child."

Tomline froze mid-sentence, his words swallowed by the cold sea breeze. He turned his head slowly, giving Liam a glare so sharp it could cut steel. His lips pressed into a thin line, clearly displeased by being interrupted especially when he was this close to making a joke.

"Really, Liam?" Tom muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. "You could’ve at least let me finish the punchline."

Liam ignored him entirely, pretending to check his wristwatch as though he hadn’t just earned a death stare. His focus was fixed on Elisa, who was still holding Nyxella close, her arms wrapped protectively around the little girl’s tiny frame.

The tension between the men was subtle but unmistakable. Tom’s annoyance simmered quietly beside Liam’s calm determination,

"Let’s move," Liam repeated, his words lingered in the air for a brief moment, sharp and awkward but not without reason. The seaport breeze whipped around them, tugging at coats and hair, the sky above dimming with a deep golden hue as the sun began to sink behind the horizon. The crowd had thinned, and all that was left were the sounds of seagulls and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the wooden docks.

Nix stood still, Nyxella’s faint giggle still echoing in his mind. His eyes, calm yet unreadable, slowly lifted toward Liam, whose nervous chuckle gave away his discomfort.

"Actually, my dad would be suspicious if he, like... you know," Liam trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided Nix’s piercing gaze.

Nix arched a brow, the corners of his lips tugging upward just slightly not quite a smile, but enough to show amusement. He understood exactly what Liam meant.

"Okay," Nix finally said, his voice even, controlled, though his eyes held a flicker of irony. He adjusted his coat and gave Nyxella one last look before turning away. "Keep her safe," he added under his breath a line only Liam caught, and one that left him momentarily stunned.

Elisa watched the exchange quietly. Something about Nix’s calm departure the slight pause before he turned, the shadow of sadness behind his composed exterior struck her deeply. But before she could speak, Liam cleared his throat and gestured toward the cruise.

"Let’s go. The air’s getting colder, and it isn’t good for either of you," he said, offering a polite smile that didn’t quite hide his unease.

Tomline followed behind, muttering something under his breath about "dramatic rich folks and their family rules", earning a playful glare from Francesca.

The ship was grand a masterpiece of modern luxury gliding upon the calm waters. Chandeliers glimmered above the main deck, and distant laughter echoed from the far end where the staff prepared for the upcoming celebration. The faint scent of ocean salt mingled with perfume and polished wood.

Liam led Elisa, Nyxella, and Francesca through the softly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing lightly against the marble floor. When they reached the assigned cabin, he paused by the doorway. Elisa was still clutching her daughter tightly against her chest, as though afraid the little girl would vanish again if she dared to let go.

"You can relax now," Liam said softly, leaning on the doorframe. "She’s not going anywhere. We’re surrounded by water, remember?" His teasing tone drew a faint chuckle from Francesca, but Elisa only smiled weakly, brushing her daughter’s soft curls aside.

"I know," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "It’s just... I can’t stop thinking about what could’ve happened if he hadn’t found her."

"Or if she hadn’t found him," Liam corrected gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. "From what I heard, your daughter has a talent for picking the most unpredictable saviors."

That made Elisa laugh a real laugh, light and warm, the first since the chaos began. "You’re not wrong," she said, glancing down at Nyxella, who was now fiddling with the necklace around her neck. "Maybe she takes.. after me" her voice suddenly died down, Liam who hadn’t heard what she said reached for the half-empty glass of juice on the table. "She would’ve loved to see how strong you’ve become," he said. "I mean, minus the crying and running across seaports part."

Elisa gasped, pretending to be offended before breaking into another laugh. "You’re impossible," she said, shaking her head.

"Exactly why you still talk to me," Liam said with a grin, standing up. "Now, you rest. The party starts in about twelve hours, and you’ll need your energy trust me. sleep if you can. You and Nyxella are safe now. I’ll have a few people keep an eye on the deck tonight." he said taking his leave with Francesca

As the door closed behind them, the soft hum of the ship filled the room. Elisa looked down at her daughter, who was already half-asleep, her tiny hand resting over her mother’s heart. The waves rocked them gently, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Elisa allowed herself to breathe to believe that maybe, just maybe, the worst was behind them.

Once Liam and Francesca left, the cabin fell into a rare silence the kind that only the ocean could create. The rhythmic hum of the ship’s engine blended with the faint whispers of waves crashing against the hull. Elisa exhaled softly and turned her attention to the small bundle in her arms.

"Aren’t you a naughty one?" she whispered, brushing her thumb against Nyxella’s cheek. The baby looked up at her, eyes glimmering like wet stars, and instead of smiling, she simply tapped her tiny hand on her mother’s chest before pointing toward the cabin door.

"Papa," she said in her tiny, confident voice.

Elisa froze. The word rolled through her like a wave small but powerful enough to knock the air out of her lungs.

"Oh, really?" she asked, half-laughing, half-astonished. "So now you’re calling him papa" She tapped Nyxella’s nose gently, but the little girl only giggled, clapping her hands together as if proud of herself.

Elisa sighed, pressing her forehead to her daughter’s. "I wasn’t lying when I said you favor him more," she murmured. "You barely even looked at Liam, but one glance at that man and you were all smiles." Her tone was teasing, but a faint sadness lingered behind her smile.

Nyxella only responded with a soft coo, her small fingers curling around a lock of her mother’s hair.

"So ’Papa’ is the first word you said, huh? Not ’Mama’? I carried you for nine months, you little betrayer," Elisa said, laughing quietly through her tears. She wiped the corner of her eyes with her sleeve. "And why did you run after him like that, huh? You scared me to death."

She pulled Nyxella close again, rocking her gently as the baby began to play with the pendant around her neck. "I didn’t show you his picture so you could chase him," Elisa whispered, her voice softening into something more fragile. "I only wanted you to know him. To recognize the face I couldn’t forget even when I tried."

The baby blinked up at her, listening in silence as if she understood.

Elisa smiled faintly, her gaze distant now. "There’s something about him... something I can’t explain," she said, almost to herself. "He has Carmela’s calmness, but his eyes they’re nothing like they use to be. When he looks at you, it’s like he’s.."

"Like I’m what?"

The voice came from behind her deep, calm, and uncomfortably close.

Elisa stiffened. Her heart lurched as she slowly turned around. Nix was standing at the door, one hand in his pocket, the other resting against the frame. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were fixed on her searching, questioning, sharp.

The baby squealed with delight at the sight of him, stretching her arms forward.

"Papa!"

Elisa’s breath caught in her throat as Nix stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind him with a quiet click.

"What exactly did you mean by that?" he asked, his tone low but laced with curiosity and something darker.