By the time we finished greeting everyone, I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. That's when Phoenix chose to wake up, crying loudly.

“Go ahead; I’ll get her,” Sebastian gently nudged me toward the backyard. I nodded and walked in that direction, finding the party in full swing. Leo had left as soon as some of his friends arrived. The adults were sitting and eating while the children ran around. I spotted Iris and Sophia and walked over.

“Where are Roman and Damien?” I asked.

Iris pointed across. “Over there.”

They were talking to some people I didn’t recognize. If my instincts were right, they were probably making business deals.

“By the way, Graves sent a gift,” Sophia said, surprising Iris and me. “He said he’s sorry he couldn’t make it due to certain circumstances, but he’ll visit once things calm down.”

Their relationship seemed to be going well, considering he’d sent Sophia with a gift.

We continued chatting, and a few minutes later, Sebastian appeared with Phoenix. She looked calmer and wasn't crying anymore.

“I’ve already fed her; do you want to hold her?” he asked.

I nodded, but the moment Sebastian tried to place her in my arms, she cried loudly, clutching his T-shirt like a lifeline. When she was back in his arms, she immediately calmed down.

We tried again, with the same result. Eventually, we gave up after the third attempt.

“Looks like you’ve been replaced,” Sophia laughed as I watched Sebastian walk away with Phoenix.

Chapter 283

Fuck. I didn’t want to admit it, but that scene affected me deeply. He was smiling down at her and talking to her. She had him wrapped tightly around her tiny finger. Every woman around us, except Margaret (my mom), Sebastian’s mother, Iris, Sophia, and shockingly, Aurora, gazed at them with adoration. I guess he’d successfully charmed them.

A cute little boy, who somehow reminded me of Aurora, distracted me. My eyes widened when I realized who it was. I’d been told Aurora and Jaxon had a child, who was now Leo’s best friend. I hadn’t met him yet because he was supposed to have a sleepover, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he hadn’t been able to come.

“Wyatt! How are you?” I asked, excited.

“Sorry we’re late; I had a project to finish.” I turned to look at Jaxon. I remembered seeing him at the hospital, but I’d been too shocked to pay much attention then. He looked very different from my high school memories—more handsome and mature.

“It’s alright, Jaxon; the cake hasn’t been cut yet, so you’re not late.”

Iris and Sophia greeted him, and they started talking. Iris had told me they all became friends because of me, so this wasn’t surprising.

What surprised me was Wyatt, who suddenly flung himself at me, nearly knocking me off my seat.

“I’ve missed you so, so much,” he sobbed, and I could only hold him, trying to calm him down. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

I was touched and felt sad for him. It seemed we had a deep, unanticipated connection.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere. At least not for a very, very long time,” I assured him, wiping away his tears.

Once he calmed down, he kissed my cheek and left to find Leo and the other children.

I felt a burning gaze on me. I turned, trying to figure out who was looking at me, and that’s when I saw Aurora. Even from this distance, I could see the tears she was fighting to hold back. She was looking between me and Wyatt, who had found Leo, with nothing but pain and sadness in her eyes.