“I was told the guest of honor might be in here,” he says quietly.
I fold my arms loosely across my chest, tilting my head at him.
“Lila is orchestrating a small army downstairs,” I reply. “I’m staying out of her way until she calls me down.”
A low chuckle escapes him as he steps fully into the room. His hand lifts briefly. Only then do I notice the small package resting in his palm. It’s wrapped in soft pastel paper decorated with tiny cartoon animals.
My brow lifts. “That’s suspicious.”
Kiren glances down at the gift in his hand before offering it to me.
“It belongs to you,” he explains.
I take it from him, a smile forming before I can stop it.
“Well then,” I murmur. “That’s fortunate.”
The paper crinkles beneath my fingers as I move toward the bed and sit down along the edge of the mattress.
Kiren remains standing nearby, watching with that same quiet focus he seems incapable of hiding.
“You’re staring,” I tease without looking up.
“I’m observing.”
“That sounds more concerning,” I tease.
His lips curve slightly again.
I peel the wrapping paper away slowly. Inside rests a small wooden box. The wood is polished smooth, the grain warm and dark beneath the morning light. Delicate engraving curves along the lid in elegant lettering. My fingers trace the edge of it as curiosity replaces my teasing expression.
“This doesn’t look like something meant for a baby,” I note softly.
Kiren doesn’t respond. The quiet draws my attention to him. He’s watching me carefully now. Something deeper moves behind his eyes.
My heartbeat beats faster in my chest. I open the lid. Inside, a small sterling silver baby rattle is carefully nestled into the velvet lining.
A soft laugh escapes me. “Oh my God,” I whisper, lifting it gently. The tiny handle glints in the sunlight as I turn it between my fingers. “This is beautiful.”
My gaze drops again. That’s when I see the second object resting beside it. A small velvet ring box.
My fingers pause midair. The room suddenly feels very still.
Slowly, I lower the rattle back into the box and reach for the smaller case. When I open it, the diamond catches the morning light.
My brain refuses to process what I’m looking at. “Kiren?—”
Movement interrupts the thought. He lowers himself to one knee beside the bed. The sight of him there steals the rest of the air from my lungs.
My eyes widen. “Kiren,” I breathe again.
His expression remains composed, though a brief hint of vulnerability appears.
“Rowan,” he begins, his voice lower than usual. “From the moment you stepped into that alley, everything changed.”
The memory surfaces instantly, bringing back the cold pavement, the blood, and the moment our lives collided.
“You saved my life that night,” he continues. “You saved it again when you chose to stand beside me through everything that followed.”
