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“Is that something you like to do, Katy? Knitting?” he asked instead, his gaze pinning me in place.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “I loved to knit. It was my favorite thing to do.”

“Then why did you stop?”

I flushed. “I thought it was lame. I thought everyone would think that I was lame.”

“Is that something that you still want to do?”

I paused as I thought for a second. The more I eyed the yarns, the more a tiny spark lit inside my chest.

Like an inspiration. Like a wild thought. Like an exciting feeling.

Like something that I haven’t had in a while.

“Yes,” I blurted, my eyes landing on him. “Yes, I want to knit. I don’t even know if I still remember how to do it, but I want to. It makes my heart calm, and I love that feeling.”

“Good.” He walked over to me and hooked a finger under my chin to meet his eyes. “Then do it for you. Who gives a fuck if they think it’s lame or stupid or boring? Do it so it makes you smile.”

My lips curved into the widest smile. “I’m going to knit you the ugliest Christmas sweater ever.”

His smile matched mine as he leaned closer, his lips whispering on my cheek. “Then I can’t wait to fuck you wearing just that, angel.”

CHAPTER 31

LAN

I didn’t know the first thing about being a father.

I didn’t particularly have a typical childhood, one would say. My biological father loved me, but I hardly saw him, played with him, or had dinner with him. He was always too busy running his empire. And the other person who fathered me was Owen.

But even though I loved and respected him, he was more a cool uncle I never had rather than an actual father figure.

My unusual upbringing made me question if I was fit enough to raise my children. I think I was doing a pretty good job with Luka, but then that kid was such a good boy, and he already had my heart.

But babies were a whole different thing.

Twins at that.

I would have to be the guiding parental figure in their life.

I would be the one to teach them everything a father should.

Teach them about love, loss, and kindness. Teach them how to respect women. Teach them about life.

I liked to be the most unserious person in the room. I’d rather hop on my bike and ride away than face real problems or involve myself in arguments. But raising kids was the opposite of that.

There were going to be fights that I had to break apart, be the voice of reason, be their fucking father.

How the hell did I do that?

Katy assured me that every new parent felt this way and since we were already raising a kid, it shouldn’t be that hard. But I could tell that she was scared too.

I guess we both would figure it out as we went. Katy was more important to me, and if I felt like she was there with me, then I could do anything.

A sudden loud wail echoed through the walls. Like sharp crackles on a fractured ground.

My eyes went straight to Katy, who was previously enjoying a cupcake, but now her face was ashen, her treat halting mid-bite.