For years, I've been consumed with reclaiming what was taken from my family. I've been brutal, calculating, focused only on making the Keans pay for what they did. I thought power would fill the hole their betrayal left in me. I believed that once I had everything back, the business, the respect, the fear, I'd finally feel whole again.
But standing here now, I realize how wrong I was.
The moment Keira told me about Brigit, our child, something inside me shifted. At first it was pain at what I’d missed.Profound disappointment in my father that he’d take this from me.
But then came hope and the realization that all this time, I've been chasing revenge when I should have been chasing what I really lost. Love. My family. The future I was meant to have with Keira.
I run my hand down my face, feeling the weight of my mistakes. I've wasted so much time on hatred when I could have been loving Keira and our daughter. I could have been building a life with the only woman I've ever truly loved.
I straighten my tie, preparing to face our guests. Today isn't just about showing Boston who's in charge. It's about claiming the happiness that was stolen from us ten years ago.
I take the stairs two at a time, barely containing the energy surging through me. At the bottom of the staircase, I spot my brothers huddled together outside the ballroom doors. Flint paces with his hands shoved in his pockets while Blaise leans against the wall, arms crossed. Ash stands perfectly still, his eyes fixed on me as I approach.
"Is everything okay?" Ash's brow furrows with concern. "What happened with Keira?"
I glance at Blaise realizing he hasn’t told them the news, I guess thinking it’s mine to tell.
I can't help the smile that breaks across my face. "Everything is perfect. Better than perfect."
Flint’s eyes narrow, studying me. "You look… different."
"You're smiling," Blaise points out, as if he's witnessing something unnatural. "Actually smiling. Not that terrifying thing you do before you shoot someone."
I laugh. "I have a daughter."
Their expressions shift from confusion to shock, except, of course, on Blaise.
"Brigit," Ash says, understanding dawning on his face.
I nod, unable to contain my joy. "She's mine. Ours—mine and Keira's. From before… before everything went to hell."
Flint’s eyes widen. "You're a father?"
"I am." The words feel right, like I've been waiting my whole life to say them. "And I've wasted enough time already. This wedding isn't just for show anymore. It's real."
My brothers exchange glances, clearly trying to process this transformation.
"Well, damn," Flint finally says, a slow smile spreading across his face.
I turn to Blaise, my mind suddenly racing with all the details that need to be handled. "Blaise, can Jenna help Brigit with some flower arrangements? She needs to be part of this ceremony, and we don't have much time."
Blaise nods, looking surprised but pleased. "Of course. Jenna would love that."
"And tell her…" I hesitate, still getting used to the words. "Tell her it's for my daughter. Our flower girl."
A grin spreads across Blaise's face. "Your daughter. I'm still wrapping my head around that."
"That makes two of us," I say. "Everything's changed in the span of fifteen minutes."
I look at Flint and Ash. "Keira's upstairs getting ready with Brigit. She's prepared for the bridesmaids to join them."
“We’ll send them up.” Flint shakes his head. “A daughter. I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it.I can give you the details later. Right now, I want to get married.” I know Keira is marrying partly out of duty and protection, but I vow to make sure that it’s not long before she’s married to me out of love and trust.
"What about Hampton and Lana?" Ash asks, his expression darkening. "They're still in the basement."
I'd almost forgotten about them in the whirlwind of discovering Brigit. The rage that normally accompanies thoughts of the Keans feels distant now.
