Chapter 49: A happy family.

Soren went still. It was only at that point he realized he had been crying. Embarrassment crept across his face.

Elowen smiled sneakily. "I’ve never seen a grown-up man cry like this."

Her mocking tone only made him even more embarrassed.

"I wasn’t crying." He looked away, trying to hide his face. "Something got into my eyes."

"Of course." Her smile widened. "Something got into both of your eyes and made tears run down your face."

Soren shot her a look.

She only looked more amused. "It’s fine if you are emotional, you know. You are allowed to be emotional."

"I said I wasn’t crying."

"All right, all right. I believe you."

Her tone made it painfully clear that she didn’t believe a word.

Before he could argue, Elowen stood. "I’m going backstage to see Sera."

She walked away.

When they finally came out of the backstage, Seraphina ran to her father.

"Daddy..."

Soren lifted her into his arms. "My baby girl."

"Did you see me dance?"

"Of course, I did." He kissed her cheek. "You looked so beautiful. I clapped louder than anyone else in the hall."

Seraphina giggled, delighted. "I am so happy that you finally came to watch my dance. I always wanted you to be there in the audience whenever I danced."

Her innocent words struck him straight in the heart, making his smile falter.

He could imagine her disappointment when she realized he wasn’t there in the audience. Yet, she wasn’t blaming him. She was simply happy that he finally came.

"From now on, I won’t miss your performances. I promise."

Elowen watched them quietly. The sight of her daughter clinging happily to her father filled her with a warmth she had almost forgotten.

She felt it was worth giving Soren another chance.

"How about we celebrate with some ice cream?" Soren suggested.

Seraphina’s eyes lit up. "Yes. I want ice cream."

"Then ice cream it is." Soren reached for Elowen’s hand.

She didn’t dodge. She placed her hand in his.

His fingers closed around hers as they walked out of the auditorium.

Soren drove them to an ice cream shop nearby.

Its broad glass windows overlooked the street. The air was filled with the sweet scent of freshly made waffle cones.

Seraphina pressed her face close to the display case, trying to decide between many flavors.

"Daddy, can I have strawberry? And chocolate too?"

"Of course."

"No, you can’t have that much," Elowen interjected. "Choose only one."

Seraphina pouted.

"It’s okay." Soren took his daughter’s side. "She is allowed for once."

"Too much sweet is not good for her," Elowen protested.

"She danced well today. She deserves two flavors." Soren ignored Elowen’s protest and ordered what Seraphina wanted.

Elowen shook her head in disbelief. "You are spoiling her."

Soren looked perfectly unrepentant.

"Daddy is the best." Seraphina giggled triumphantly.

They settled at a small table near the glass wall. Seraphina sat between her parents, happily alternating between her strawberry and chocolate scoops.

A little chocolate had gathered at the corner of her mouth.

Soren wiped it with a napkin. "Eat slowly. No one is going to steal it from you."

"It’s so delicious. I can’t stop." Seraphina offered a spoon of her strawberry ice cream. "Daddy, try this."

Sored leaned forward and tasted it.

She then turned to her mother and offered her a spoonful, too.

"Mommy. You try."

Elowen took it into her mouth. "It’s good."

Outside, a black car slowed near the ice cream shop. Theron had been passing by. A familiar figure behind the glass caught his attention.

His foot pressed against the brake.

Through the glass wall, he saw Elowen with Soren and a little girl.

The girl was smiling as she said something. Soren leaned toward her, listening attentively.

And Elowen looked genuinely happy as she watched them.

They looked like a happy family of three.

Theron’s hands curled around the steering wheel as he watched her so content beside Soren. His gaze fixed on Elowen’s smiling face.

That smile had made him want to get close to her. He had imagined being the person standing beside her, the one who would protect her and give her all the happiness she deserved.

’How could she be happy with the man who hurt her?’

When he watched Elowen look at Soren with a warmth Theron desperately wanted for himself, his chest tightened with anger and jealousy.

"She should be mine. This family should be mine. But Soren snatched it from me."

His face twisted into hatred. He couldn’t stand the sight of them together.

"I won’t let him take away my happiness, not in this lifetime."

Inside the shop, they continued smiling and talking, unaware of the storm gathering outside.

"If Soren believes he can build a happy family with Elowen and keep it forever, he is damn wrong. In the last life, you took her away. But this time, I am taking what’s supposed to be mine."

Inside the shop...

Soren’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

His mother was calling him.

His expression turned serious as he answered the call, "Hello?"

"Soren, come home for dinner tonight. Alone." Valora’s tone was authoritative, leaving no room for argument.

Soren’s thumb pressed firmly against the edge of the phone. He stood up.

Elowen looked up at him. She wanted to ask if something was wrong, but Soren raised a hand to stop her before she could say anything.

Without a word, he walked out of the shop.

Elowen frowned as he watched him leave. "What’s wrong? Why does he look so serious all of a sudden?"

Once Soren was outside the shop, he put the phone back to his ear. "I’ll come with my wife and daughter," he said flatly. "We’ll have a family dinner together."

"There is no need for them to come," Valora said sternly. "Come alone. I’ve something important to discuss with you."

Soren knew what his mother wanted to discuss. That was precisely why he refused to go alone.

"I won’t come without them."

"Soren," Valora snapped, her voice rising an octave. "I am your mother. Are you unwilling to come and see me alone?"

"Mother, you are being dramatic."

"I don’t care. If you bring Elowen here tonight, I’ll cut ties with you."

Soren scratched his head in frustration. His father and grandfather were already gone. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his mother, too, even if she was determined to make things difficult for him.

He let out a resigned sigh.

"Fine, I’m coming."