The next day.
A school bus arrived near the house.
A group of students flooded out along with the principal of the school she worked.
Riya paused for a moment, her eyes lingering on the group outside. She knew exactly what they were doing there—her students, including Noah, had probably heard the news and wanted to check on her. The principal must have informed them that she had given birth.
Before she could say anything, Justin stood up, his gaze hardening as he saw his men blocking the entrance. He walked toward the door, stepping out into the bright sunlight. His voice was calm but firm as he approached the guards.
"Let them through," he ordered, his tone brokering no argument.
One of the guards hesitated, glancing at Justin before looking back at the group of students. "Boss, we can't—"
Justin's eyes narrowed. "I said, let them through."
Riya watched from the doorway, her heart pounding with the strange mix of gratitude and unease. She wasn't sure how she felt about this—Justin's presence, his power over every situation. But she also knew this was one of the few times he wasn't trying to control her.
The guards exchanged looks before stepping aside, allowing the school bus to roll closer.
The students, eager and curious, flooded out, led by Noah, who immediately locked eyes with Riya. A mix of joy and concern played across his features as he approached cautiously, his friends trailing behind him. They'd probably heard rumors, and the questions would be inevitable.
"Ms. McKenzie, you're... okay?" Noah asked softly, his voice filled with concern, his hands wringing together.
Riya nodded, a small, weary smile tugging at her lips. "I'm fine, Noah. Just... taking things slow."
Noah gave a relieved nod, stepping forward with the others. "We wanted to come by and make sure you were doing okay... you know, with everything."
Justin stood by the door, watching silently but not interfering, his eyes still intense but softening slightly as he observed the interaction. Riya could feel the weight of his gaze, but for once, it didn't feel intrusive.
Her students—her kids—were here, and that small connection to her old life brought a wave of comfort she hadn't realized she'd been craving. Despite everything, there was a piece of her that felt like she was returning to something normal.
She motioned for them to come inside. "You can stay for a little while," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "Just don't make too much noise, okay? The baby's sleeping."
Noah grinned, his face lighting up at the mention of the baby. "We'll be quiet, promise."
As the students gathered inside, Riya stepped back, allowing them space, while Justin lingered just outside the door, hands in his pockets, observing everything. He'd allowed them in—because it was important to her. He didn't say it, but she could feel it.
And for the first time in a long while, it felt like things might be starting to fall into place.
As the students filtered inside, one of the girls, a bubbly sophomore named Lily, lingered by the doorway. Her eyes flickered between Riya and Justin before she gathered the courage to approach him.
"Um, excuse me," she began, her voice uncertain but curious. "Are you… are you Ms. McKenzie's husband?"
Justin, caught off guard by the question, hesitated for a moment. His gaze flickered to Riya, who was busy talking with the other students, her back turned. It wasn't exactly a topic he'd been prepared to discuss with a group of teenagers.
"Uh, yeah," he answered finally, his voice calm and composed, though there was a slight edge of amusement in his tone. "I am."
Lily's eyes widened, then she grinned, her youthful enthusiasm taking over. "Wow, you're really good-looking," she blurted out, before adding in a quieter voice, "I mean... no offense. But, like, how come all the bodyguards? Are you, like, rich or something?"
The directness of her question made Justin chuckle, the sound rich and easy. He ran a hand through his hair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I am very rich," he said, the words coming out smoothly, almost teasingly.
Lily's eyes lit up. "No way!" she exclaimed, clearly impressed. "Like, how rich are we talking? Is it the mansion kind of rich, or, like... yacht and private jet rich?"
Riya, who had been listening to the conversation from a distance, couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Justin, who was clearly enjoying the attention. She turned away, shaking her head softly.
Justin's smile didn't fade, but he gave a vague shrug. "I'll let you imagine the rest," he said with a wink. "But let's just say, I'm not going to be worried about bills anytime soon."
Lily giggled, clearly starstruck by the idea of it all. She took a few steps back to rejoin her friends, still throwing glances over her shoulder at Justin. Her words echoed in the air, leaving behind an awkward silence that quickly dissipated.
"Anyway," she added, trying to recover her composure, "Ms. McKenzie, you're, like, the best teacher ever, so if you ever need anything, just let us know, okay?"
Riya smiled, touched by the sentiment, though her mind was still swirling with the unexpected interaction. She nodded and motioned for the others to sit, turning back to Justin who was leaning casually against the doorframe.
"Couldn't resist, could you?" Riya teased softly, a lightness in her tone.
Justin raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment. "I don't know what you mean," he replied smoothly. "I was just answering questions."
Riya rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. For all the weight of their past and the world they were both trying to navigate, moments like these—normal, even silly—reminded her that they weren't entirely lost. Not yet, anyway.
Later that night, after the students and their parents had gone, the house fell into a quiet stillness. Riya sat in the living room, the baby nestled peacefully in her arms as she fed him. The weight of the day was starting to settle into her bones. Her mother and stepdad had returned to their farm, and Justin's mother had gone back to her house. The house felt emptier now, just the two of them—Riya and Justin—left alone in the vast space.
Justin was sitting across from her, trying to look casual, though his eyes kept darting to her and the baby. He shifted uncomfortably on the couch, his hands clasped tightly together as if trying to figure out what to do with them. He wasn't used to this. The quiet. The calm. The whole… family vibe.
Riya noticed his discomfort, her lips curling into a small, teasing smile as she glanced at him. "You know, it's not like I bite," she said, her tone light.
Justin looked at her quickly, a little flustered. "What? I— I wasn't—"
"You're nervous, aren't you?" she teased, a grin spreading across her face. "Come on, you've been here for days, but you still can't figure out how to sit next to me without looking like you're about to jump up any second."
He shifted again, clearing his throat. "I don't know what you mean," he muttered, his gaze flicking to the baby. "It's just… you know, everything's a little… new?"
Riya raised an eyebrow, amused. "New? You're acting like you're a stranger in your own house."
"It's just... quiet," he muttered. "I'm not used to quiet."
Riya chuckled softly, adjusting the baby in her arms. "Well, get used to it, because this is what it's going to be like from now on. Sometimes it's peaceful, sometimes chaotic—mostly chaotic. But... it's ours."
She met his eyes, and for a brief moment, the weight of what she said seemed to settle over them both. Justin's expression softened, but the unease still lingered in his posture. He hesitated for a moment before he finally spoke.
"So... I was thinking," he began, his voice suddenly more serious, "we've both been through a lot. And we both know there's no going back, right?"
Riya nodded slowly, her eyes flickering to the baby before returning to him. "Right."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent on hers. "I want to make sure that this... all of this," he gestured vaguely around the room, "isn't just some... temporary thing. I don't want to do things halfway anymore. I want to try for real. But, I also need to know you're ready for it. You and me. Our life. Together."
Riya's heart fluttered, but she kept her face neutral. "You want me to tell you if I'm ready to settle down with you now?" she asked, her voice light but with a hint of wariness.
"I don't know," Justin said with a half-smile. "I guess I'm asking if you think we can try."
She didn't answer immediately, considering his words. He was right, they both knew there was no going back from this. But she wasn't sure if she was ready to commit to it yet. Still, there was something in the way he was looking at her—something determined and raw—that made her pause.
He seemed to sense her hesitation. "I get it if you need time. I'm not asking for an answer right now. But I'm not going anywhere, Riya. I'm in this... with you. For the long haul."
Riya opened her mouth to reply, but before she could get the words out, Justin did something unexpected. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Her eyes widened as he placed it on the coffee table in front of her.
"What's this?" she asked, her voice tentative.
Justin smiled, a mix of pride and mischief in his expression. "Well, I wasn't planning on this being the first step," he said, flipping the box open with a smooth motion. Inside was a diamond engagement ring, sparkling in the soft light of the room. "But... I guess I figured if we're going to build something, we might as well start with the right foundation."
Riya's breath caught in her throat. "You're serious," she murmured, her gaze locked on the ring.
Justin's eyes glinted as he reached over, taking her hand. "I'm serious. You're everything I've wanted, and I don't want to wait around. We can figure out the rest later, but this... this is what I want. For us. For our future."
Before she could speak, he slid the ring onto her finger with a smirk. "Now we've got something solid to build on."
Riya stared at the ring, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. There it was, on her finger—a symbol of commitment, a promise, a future that she wasn't sure she was ready to fully embrace yet. But Justin was here, and he was offering something more than just the ring.
He was offering a chance. A real one.
And for the first time in a long while, Riya felt a flicker of hope. "You know," she said with a sigh, "you really don't do things halfway, do you?"
Justin's smirk widened. "Nope. I'm all in."
Riya shook her head, a small laugh escaping her. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," he said with a wink. "But I'm your impossible now."
The baby's soft breathing filled the room as he drifted into a peaceful sleep in Riya's arms. She gently adjusted him, making sure he was tucked in safely, his tiny form snuggled under the blankets. She stood for a moment, watching him sleep, a sense of calm settling over her. She kissed his forehead lightly before quietly leaving the nursery and returning to the living room.
Justin was still there, leaning against the armrest, his eyes on the soft glow of the lamp. When she entered, he looked up, offering her a small, reassuring smile. The tension that had hung between them earlier had dissipated, leaving behind a quiet, comfortable space.
"He's asleep," Riya said as she sank into the couch beside him, her voice soft but content.
"Good," Justin replied, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "How's it feel? Having your whole world right here?"
Riya chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "It's overwhelming, but in a good way, you know? Some days I still wonder how I ended up here." She met his eyes, a playful glint in her own. "With you, of all people."
Justin grinned, leaning in slightly. "What's wrong with me?" he teased, nudging her lightly.
Riya laughed, nudging him back. "Oh, don't get me wrong, you're charming—when you're not being impossible." She winked at him, and they both burst into laughter.
The sound of their laughter filled the room, genuine and easy, like it used to be. The moments they shared before all the chaos, before the danger and uncertainty. For the first time in a while, it felt like they were just two people, enjoying each other's company, like they could actually build something real.
After the laughter settled, Riya leaned back on the couch, the weight of everything, the good and the bad, feeling a little less heavy. She glanced at Justin, who was still smiling, his expression soft. "You know, we've been through a lot," she said quietly, almost reflecting on all of it, "but somehow, it still feels like we're finding our way back to the beginning. Like we're doing this right."
Justin's eyes softened as he turned toward her, his voice low but filled with sincerity. "Yeah. Maybe it's not the way we expected. But we're here now. And that's what matters, right?"
Riya nodded, her heart swelling with something she hadn't realized she was missing—hope. "Yeah. We're here."
There was a quiet pause between them, the air around them charged with the comfort of shared understanding. Then, without saying another word, Justin leaned in closer, his lips brushing gently against hers. The kiss was soft, lingering—full of the promises they had yet to make and the ones they had already started to fulfill.
When they pulled away, they stayed close, their foreheads resting together, breaths mingling in the space between them. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a quiet reaffirmation of everything that had brought them back together.
"Don't make me wait too long to figure this out," Justin murmured, his voice low and earnest.
Riya smiled, a quiet confidence filling her. "I won't. We'll figure it out. Together."
And in that moment, with the quiet hum of the house around them, it felt like they finally had the chance to build the life they both wanted.