I burst out laughing. “On my way.” Inside, Sven is making faces at baby Freya while Leander wipes down the counters like a very compulsive raccoon. And hovering near the hallway is the new cousin, Leander's and Sven’s older brother, Anders.
He’s twenty-one, has bright blond hair and piercing blue eyes, and is built like someone who lifts refrigerators for fun.
“Hi, Claire,” Anders says shyly, raising a hand. “I stocked all the new manga you ordered for the shop. And, uh, your online inventory is updated.”
“Oh! Thank you.” I smile. “You’re settling into the rotation nicely.”
He blushes a deep crimson. “I’m trying.”
Grace whispers behind me, “He’s adorable.”
I whisper back, “He’s a golden retriever in human form," and the two of us giggle hysterically together.
ERIK
Later that day, I pick Claire up to take her to meet with the investigative team.
The aftermath of the raid has been… staggering. FBI. Texas Rangers. Human Trafficking Task Force. HPD Special Investigations.
They uncovered four other women on-site, one lactating, two in hormonal induction cycles, and one early pregnancy confirmed through forced artificial insemination prep.
Claire was the “premium specimen.” My stomach burns just thinking about it. Authorities haven’t located Dr. Rhys. Because Dr. Rhys isn’t his real name.
He’s a ghost. A surgeon who’s changed identities three times. A man who treats women like currency. And I will find him. I don’t care if it takes years.
CLAIRE
We finish giving our final victim impact statements, and as we walk to the car, Erik gently places a hand on my back.
“Baby,” he says softly, “are you okay?”
I nod. “I… yeah. I think so. It felt rewarding to speak, to answer their questions, and to learn how the investigation is going.”
He studies my face like he’s memorizing every line. And then I feel my heart push forward, like it’s been waiting for the right moment.
“Daddy?” I whisper. His brows lift, warm and attentive.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
I take a tiny breath. “I think… I’m ready.”
He stills.
“Ready for what, baby?”
“For us to try,” I whisper. “For a baby. For real. With you.”
His breath leaves him like he’s been punched. I have a sense that his response is not from fear but with emotion so intense it borders on trepidation. In truth, I feel all of that and more knowing what a major milestone this would be for us both.
“Baby girl,” he murmurs, cupping my cheek. “Are you sure? I don’t want you rushing because of what they did to you.”
“I’m not rushing,” I whisper. “I’m choosing.” My throat thickens. “Daddy, you’re my safe place. My home.And I want to build something beautiful after everything they tried to take from me.”
He pulls me into his arms. Tight. Protective. “Then we’ll try,” he murmurs into my hair. “But only at your pace. Your rhythm. Your timing. You’re in control of this, sweetheart.”
And for the first time since my rescue, I feel whole.
LEIF
