Chapter 440

The twins, still in their dinosaur-patterned pajamas, sat cross-legged on the living room couch with their schoolwork spread before them.

Though classes were canceled today, their internal clocks woke them at dawn.

They remembered Daddy's strict instructions: Mommy needed extra rest because of the baby growing inside her. No disturbances allowed.

That's why they tiptoed downstairs to study instead of playing in their rooms.

Alexander chose the living room specifically - it offered the perfect vantage point to see Mommy the moment she emerged from the bedroom.

Dominic descended the stairs to find his children immersed in their morning routine.

Isabella hunched over a sketchpad, her tiny fingers deftly maneuvering a paintbrush across the paper. A mesmerizing underwater scene bloomed beneath her strokes - vibrant coral reefs teeming with fantastical sea creatures. The girl's artistic talent clearly came from Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Alexander frowned in concentration over advanced calculus problems. Though only entering first grade next term, the boy's mathematical aptitude rivaled most fourth graders.

The sight filled Dominic with quiet pride.

Hearing footsteps, Isabella bounded toward her father, waving her masterpiece. "Daddy! Look! My entry for the Citywide Youth Art Competition finals next week!"

She'd aced the preliminary round with top honors. Dominic examined the painting seriously before mussing her silky hair.

His daughter grew more like Evelyn each day - the same heart-shaped face, luminous eyes, and delicate features. Even her thoughtful expression mirrored her mother's.

"Impressive improvement," he conceded. "But don't get complacent. Keep refining your technique."

Isabella beamed and scampered back to her artwork.

Alexander closed his workbook respectfully. "Father," he greeted with unusual formality for a six-year-old.

Dominic reviewed the completed problems. Every complex equation solved flawlessly.

"Acceptable," he said evenly, though inwardly astonished by his son's prowess. The boy inherited his own analytical genius.

Seeing Alexander's slumped shoulders, Dominic softened. "You think I'm too hard on you? That your sister gets to play while you study?"

The child shook his head, but his trembling lip betrayed him.

"As the Blackwood heir, you'll bear responsibilities others can't fathom." Dominic crouched to eye level. "You must become strong enough to protect Mommy, Isabella, and your unborn sibling. These lessons seem harsh now, but they'll forge you into the man our family needs. Understood?"

Alexander nodded solemnly. Though he couldn't grasp everything, the weight of his duty settled on small shoulders. He'd work twice as hard to become worthy.

Dominic's phone interrupted the moment. He ordered breakfast from their usual caterer.

Between corporate obligations and security concerns, hiring household staff proved complicated. After the infamous nanny arson case, background checks became exhaustive. Dominic insisted on vetting not just candidates but their entire family trees.

Until approvals cleared, takeout would suffice. He refused to let pregnancy fatigue push Evelyn back into kitchen duties.

At nearly ten, Evelyn finally emerged, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She paused on the staircase, heart swelling at the domestic scene - Dominic reviewing schoolwork while the twins chattered excitedly.

The simple normalcy eased her lingering anxieties. Whatever storms lay ahead, this was the calm worth fighting for.