Chapter 1016

Kohen stepped inside with his daughters in tow, a warm.smile lighting up his face as he greeted Cedric. "We dropped by to visit Daniela."

He crouched to their level, gesturing to Cedric. "Girls,say hello to your uncle and aunt."

The little girls peered up at Cedric, heads tilted in curiosity. "Another uncle?"

Family gatherings were a regular affair for the McCoys;it was perfectly normal for the children to have a whole roster of aunts and uncles to remember.

Kohen laughed and gave his head a gentle shake."This uncle isn't like the others. He's my brother-just like you and your sisters are to each other. We're connected by blood."

For Cedric, hearing someone refer to him as "connected by blood" was a quiet revelation-he'd never thought of himself that way before.

He kept his face unreadable, not betraying a single emotion.

The girls formed a tidy row, voices chiming in harmony as they greeted Cedric and Daniela. Their formal manners didn't. last long; after the greeting, laughter bubbled up, their bright eyes curving into crescents.

Daniela's lips softened into a gentle smile as she offered each girl a small, thoughtfully wrapped gift.

No matter what grudges simmered between adults,the children stayed blissfully untouched by it all-innocent and utterly at ease.

With their infectious energy and wide-eyed wonder,the girls charmed everyone in the room.

They circled Cedric without a hint of fear, peppering him with curious questions and tugging at Daniela's sleeve, eager to know when the babies in her belly would finally arrive.

Daniela lounged on the sofa, quietly observing Cedric's rare softness, the corners of her mouth lifting with a trace of amusement.

She had to hand it to Hamilton-he truly knew how to make things work.

The McCoy family treated this villa like a second home,always arriving with gifts or homemade pastries and leaving with Cedric's pickles. Mornings saw them stopping by with their children in tow, and evenings often ended with them strolling the garden with Daniela.

The house brimmed with warmth, the constant presence of family weaving joy through every ordinary day.

Kohen's wife could talk circles around anyone,greeting Daniela as "my dear sister-in-law" with a lively affection that left no room for formality.

As they strolled under the evening sky, Kohen glanced at her. "Daniela, I heard you're heading back to Olisvine for the delivery. Every one of us is rooted here in Oiscoll. Once you come back, even with Cedric around, he can't possibly watch over you all the time. Wouldn't it make more sense to stay here? With all of us pitching in, wouldn't that make things easier?"

Damon's wife jumped in. "That's right! We've raised three kids of our own. If anyone knows how to handle a house full of little ones, it's us. Twins are a lot for anyone-sooner or later, you'll need help, and who's going to care more than family? When the moment arrives, we'll be right here, every step of the way.Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Daniela only smiled, offering no promises either way.

Meanwhile, Nikolas strolled into the kitchen and joined Cedric at the sink, rolling up his sleeves to help with the dishes. The gentle rush of water echoed in the kitchen.

Nikolas said, "You know, I once heard Daniela had a stepsister. I can see she's a lot like you, Cedric. She's never really known what it's like to have a real family.I can see she likes being surrounded by people who

care. Maybe you don't think about it much, but we share a father. Even if there's been distance, that connection can't be erased. No one's got any hidden motives here-we're family, plain and simple. There's no reason to put your guard up. Back when Daniela was pregnant, our sisters-in-law wanted to stop by.Dad worried it might be too much for Daniela, but l always thought she liked the company. She has a soft spot for kids and a lively home. You try to do everything alone, but no one can shoulder the world by themselves. Staying here in Oiscoll, you'd always have family to lean on."

Cedric's voice remained cold and distant. "Once we're back in Olisvine, the babies will arrive,and the house will fill with life on its own."

Nikolas dismissed that with a gentle shake of his head."That's not the same at all. Kids need a lively crowd,a place full of cousins and noise. Just look at them now-barely knee-high,but already thriving together.Later, when you're juggling meals, school runs,hobbies... it's a lot for one pair of hands. With family around, we split the work. Alone in Olisvine, there won't be anyone to turn to when things get tough."

Cedric stared down at his hands, his face unreadable.

Nikolas exchanged a quiet, resigned glance with Hamilton, who was in the living room.

Gradually, everyone's focus turned to Daniela.