(Aya’s POV)At six in the morning, Red was still sleeping, snoring lightly on the couch. Addie had convinced Liam and Mike that leaving their cousin in their apartment was okay and would call them immediately as soon as Violet and Red were awake. I must have knocked him out that much because until now, he was still asleep when Ariana assured me he was an early riser.This might be my punishment for being harsh to him last night. I should have understood his situation and that he was too drunk to think sanely, proposing to me like an idiot because of his cousins’ stupid idea. Addie did not allow me to go home and told me it was my fault my boss couldn’t leave, so I had to watch him for the night until he woke up.It was crazy because sleep had evaded me, punishing me as well. I had to push him back whenever he tried to move or roll to his side. Every time I had to close my eyes, he would murmur or cry in his sleep, calling the name of his beloved dead wife.I got up and sat on the love

(Red’s POV)“Don’t cry, Daddy,” Onyx raised her hands, wiping the tears about to roll my cheeks. “We made you some, too.”I chuckled and sniffled, kissing my little boy on his head. “You say hi to Aya’s daughter, Katie, and her father, Dean.”Katie ran behind Aya but peered at my kids, her eyes wide as she looked at them. Although Katie wasn’t her biological daughter, their resemblance was visible. She looked at her mother, and though Aya said it was okay, she shook her head and hid again.Dean was surprised when my kids dashed to him, calling him grandpa, but chuckled as each of my children hugged him and kissed his cheek. He laughed when they began to tell him about their pancake experience and how much they liked Aya.“Umm… Grandpa?” Sapphire moved her pursed lips and glanced at Katie.“Yes?” Dean asked, following the direction of her eyes.“Can Katie come and play with us sometimes?” she asked shyly, then furrowed her forehead like she had changed her mind. “Can Katie live with us

(Aya’s POV)“But you’re my wife,” Red muttered like he was testing me, his lips curving into a wicked smile.“Let’s not go there if you don’t want to wake up with a black eye,” I warned him. “I told you, you’re not my type,” I lied, but it scared me, thinking about how to stop myself if he touched me.Addie pressed her lips tighter because she knew Red had a strong effect on me. Although I would deny it and continue to lie about my gender preference, I had no idea until when I could hold myself from touching him. I didn’t love him, but any woman would fall for his gorgeousness and hotness. If I didn’t need a job and I had no respect for the dead, I would probably be one of those women who would lie naked in his bed.“This is crazy,” I murmured, upset not with Red but with myself. One minute I hated Red, the next, I thought of him naked.Red stared at me worriedly, afraid that I had changed my mind. He heaved a sigh and smiled apologetically at me.“You know what, Mike, just ready the

(Aya’s POV)“Lucy!” I called when I saw her walking toward her office.I glanced at the puff pastry with custard and strawberries I baked and designed with fancy heart-shaped biscuits before dashing to my supervisor. She stopped walking and raised her eyebrows, waiting for me to come closer.“Can I have another shift today?” I chewed on my lower lip, hoping she would say yes. If she allowed me, it would be my third shift already.She chuckled. “Is it because of Chef Heidi?”“Yep!” I grinned, wiggling my eyebrows.Chef Heidi was not a regular cook in the restaurant, only when there was a VIP or special occasion. Toward the end of my first shift, I heard she would be here later. As to who was the special guest, I didn’t ask. She taught Culinary Arts education at an elite university in the country, and learning from her in that school was definitely out of my budget, so whenever she was here, no matter how tired I was from my two shifts, I always took my chance.When I called Addie and L

(Aya’s POV)It was a quick kiss because the children ran toward Red and me, giggling happily as they embraced us. I chuckled, reaching out for the table napkin on the side and wiping the corners of the twin’s and Katie’s mouths because of the strawberry and chocolate-covered cake balls they ate.“I like this, mommy,” Onyx said, biting the one still in his hand.Mommy.They didn’t come from my womb, but my whole body was filled with joy, and I didn’t know why I was too excited that a few hours from now, it wouldn’t be awkward for me to hear them calling me their mommy. The tears I was holding rolled down my cheeks.Blue gasped. “Oh no! You made mommy cry, Onyx.”I chuckled, wiping the tears and sniffling as I shook my head. My heart was so full, unsure where the happiness was coming from because it was overflowing inside me. I glanced at Red when he called me, extending his hand to go with him and meet our family.“Dad,” I muttered nervously.My father only smiled and hugged me. I knew