Kael Maddox’s POV**
I stood there. My eyes remained fixed on the rusted gate. My fists clenched at my sides, not from rage, but from the unbearable ache pressing against my ribs.
“I didn’t abandon you. I never meant to disappear.”
“I’m back now, Aria. For you. For us.”
I stared at the front door again, half-expecting it to creak open. It didn’t.
“Is that… my son?” I murmured.
I looked at the puddles forming around my boots, the rain sliding down my face. Liam. Before I was imprisoned, Aria was three months pregnant. I still remembered standing with her in a dusty corner store, laughing as we picked out baby clothes. We couldn’t even agree on the color.
But we agreed on one thing—if it was a boy, we’d name him.
Liam.
She kept the promise.
I let out a shaky breath, staring at the h
