Ardan’s PoV

Two months later…

A newborn screamed loudly in the room; disturbing silence everywhere it spread. Josephine lay on the bed, worn out though there was clearly a hidden shine of victory hidden in the background. She rocked the small bundle wrapped in rags and whispered reassuring words. My son.

I swallowed hard.

A son. My blood. My pride.

I did not know what to feel.

I stood stupefied, watching. It was as though an iron chain dropped onto my shoulder, and as much as I wished to deny it, this little one would turn my world upside down.

Josephine looked at me. "Do you want to hold him?"...