Nine months too late: After divorce

Kage drove the fastest he's ever had to- beating uncountable traffic rules. He knew they'd be on his neck by morning, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Sylvie's pleas tormented him: "Please, you have to hurry. You have to get me out of here!" Remembering the panic in her voice fueled his anger even more.

His guards were following behind in a second car. They hadn't been quick enough to stop him before he slid into this car and took off.

He was in a meeting when Sylvie texted him a location. He excused himself to call her and had almost been crippled from the panic in her voice. Please, you have to hurry. You have to get me out of here!'

"Damn it!" He 'He cursed, hitting his han his hands on on the steering.

If only he could vanish and find himself at the doorstep. If anything happened to her...

Reaching the the location, he didn

he didn't bother parking properly. He jumped out towards the door.

of the car, leaving his front door open as he ran

It was a small apartment. It was obvious someone had abducted and brought her there. But how did it happen? Who could it possibly be?Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

He thought of all the horrible things he'd do to the suspect. If anyone had laid a finger on Sylvie....

He pushed the door open, his eyes scanning the room. It was dark inside, so he couldn't make out the features.

He knew he wasn't making the smartest decision. He shouldn't be going in alone knowing danger was waiting, but he

couldn't think straight knowing Sylvie was in here. Besides, his guards were behind him and would know what to do if he got caught up in the danger. the door when the

He had

I barely taken three steps

from the

Party poppers were popped, music turned on, and laughghts went on, and voices screamed on each other: "Surprise!!!"

filled the room.

Kage stayed rooted to the spot. It took him a moment to digest the sight before him.

The room was colorfully decorated with a big write-up of "Happy Birthday, Kage" hanging from the ceiling.

He took in the familiar faces of his friends, Sylvie, and some of her friends. He shook his head, gobsmacked.

Sylvie happily ran to him, holding a beautifully wrapped box.

"Happy birthday." Her smile was enough to make a man's bad day become good. "Sorry Lhad to do what I did. I had to be pretty convincing otherwise, you might have become suspicious and not even come at all. It isn't easy dating a smart man, you know?" But Kage remained silent, his face hardly giving any reaction. Sylvie became worried. Had the prank been too expensive? To her relief, he pulled her into a hug, ignoring the box she held out to him. The people made lovely sounds from behind, but Kage ignored them. He wished he could hug her tighter than the bump allowed.

Fri, Oct 18 11:08

He stroked her hair and cupped her cheeks when he pulled away. "Don't ever use such methods on me, Sylvie. Never." His eyes still held remnants of the fear he'd felt before the 'surprise! Sylvie saw how worried she'd made him, and right there, she felt guilty.

"I'm sorry," she flashed a small smile.

Finally, he looked at the present in her hand, then chuckled. "How in God's name did you pull this off? Was it even necessary?"

"Well, yes! You haven't celebrated your birthday in years. And since I'm in your life, I decided there must be a difference this year."

"Well, not to be brash, but you've been in my life longer than you think."

She jabbed his chest.

He took the present from her. "Thank you for this."

Leaning forward, he claimed her lips.

You two aren't the only ones here, you know?" One of his friends stepped forward, pulling them apart.

ughter filled the room, and the rest of the evening was blissful

By the time the party was over-which was late into the night-and Sylvie and Kage were home, he gave her a longer kiss, thanking her again for making his day special.

Waking up that morning, he was aware it was his birthday but didn't think much on it. He had more important things to do than worry about a birthday that happened every year. To him, it was something the ladies best did. However, Sylvie had changed the narrative, making him feel truly special.

"When the babies arrive," he tenderly spoke, his hands on her waist. "We'll have a grand wedding."

Sylvie's eyes beamed for some seconds before she forced the excitement to stay low. However, she couldn't stop the color from spreading through her cheeks.

"Is this a proposal, Mr. Hawkins? I think you might want to take some online lessons on how to do it better," she said. Kage tilted back his head and laughed. "Well, I can do it for formalities sake, but I don't think it will change a thing. You'll accept my proposal either ways." "Oh. How SO?"

"Because you've always been mine, Sylvie Price. Or should I say, Sylvie Hawkins?"

Sylvie

tried to fight it, but the smile won and spread through her face. She lowered her gaze, bashfully.

"Is someone being shy?" Kage bent over to look at her face, but she kept moving away.

Suddenly, she gasped, her eyes stretching open. "It kicked!"

Kage's lips fell apart. He dropped to one knee, resting his head of the bump and praying it happened again. It wasn't the first time it was happening, but cach time felt exciting, leaving them longing for more. Thankfully, it happened again, and this thne, Kage felt it. He shared a laugh with Sylvie, still keeping his head in place. But it didn't happen again. 2/3

"I think they're trying to tell you it's pointless thinking about the proposal," Kage said with a shrug as he rose to his full height. "Oh, please!" Sylvie rolled her eyes.

Her gaze fell on the necklace around his neck. It was similar to the one he'd gifted her, but in the middle of the pendant was inscribed 'I own hers.' Apparently, they were a pair. So, Kage had given the other to her and kept one for himself.

The sight of it filled Sylvie with so much joy.

The sound of his phone ringing in his pocket interrupted the moment. He reached for the phone and walked away from Sylvie to answer it. Sylvie undressed and had changed into a bathrobe by the time he finished.

"Who was that?" She casually asked, packing her hair in front of the mirror.

Kage gave a nonchalant shrug. "It's just Lancelot." He tossed the phone to the bed. "He's awake."