CHAPTER 122: WHAT THE BABY THINK...

Ariana sat by the window of the room, calmly staring at the garden. The variety of flowers seemed even prettier than the last, and she couldn’t help but admire them. This place felt too good to be true. The sun’s rays flashed across the garden, making the sunflowers shine even brighter, enhancing the other beautiful colors of the leaves.

Leah had stepped out to give her some time alone, and honestly, she needed it, to calm her head and feel okay. At this point, she couldn’t help but feel grateful that she had delivered safely. It was better that her leg had gone numb than anything worse. She was glad it was her who had been affected and not the baby. She knew she would never have forgiven herself otherwise.

"Was this really what mothers endured?" she wondered deeply, remembering the stabbing pain in her stomach while she pushed. Once again, her already deep love for her mother grew even stronger. She couldn’t believe everything her mother had gone through for her—it was the purest kind of love.

She turned her head to the side and noticed a butterfly...a white one fluttering among the flowers.

She could not help but remember that this butterfly looked exactly like the kind she saw when she went to visit her mother.

Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly as they turned watery. To Ariana’s surprise, the butterfly began to rise into the air.

Her breath hitched when it flew up to her window, calmly flapping its wings as it landed gently on the ledge.

Ariana slowly reached out her hand, her smile widening as the butterfly rested softly on her thumb. She didn’t know if this was a message from her mother, but she felt it in her heart.

"Oh... Mother," she whispered, her smile growing as a single tear fell from her eye. The butterfly flapped its wings again and gently moved to the tip of her nose. After a moment, it lifted off and flew upward, heading in another direction.

Ariana followed its movement with her eyes, but soon, it disappeared. It was nowhere to be found. That moment took her breath away. Her lips curled into a smile as she wiped her tears, her face now filled with joy.

She knew this was exactly how the other butterfly had disappeared. She didn’t know if she was just imagining it or if it was a sign, or something more..but deep down, she felt it. This had to be some kind of message from her mother.

Then the door opened.

Ariana turned quickly, her heartbeat picking up as she saw Zavren. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his face held a look of relief. She could feel it—the way his expression softened from cold to calm.

"Oh, my wife," Zavren spoke gently as he walked over to her. She was sitting in the wheelchair. He bent down, holding her chin tenderly and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Ariana’s lips curled into a smile.

"Zavren," she whispered, as he leaned in and kissed her lips softly, then pulled back with care.

"Sweetheart, your voice... agh," he groaned, running a hand through his hair to push back any sinful thoughts. He pinched her cheek lightly between his fingers, his lips curling into a smile, his wife voice was making him melt.

Ariana pouted at the pinch, then moved her hands and mind-linked to him.

"Honey, bend closer. I want to tell you something."

He nodded and leaned in—only for Ariana to pinch both of his cheeks hard. Zavren chuckled as he straightened and stepped behind her, taking hold of the wheelchair and gently rolling it forward. Ariana watched curiously, wondering where he was taking her.

He stopped in front of the baby’s bed.

Ariana sat next to it, her gaze softening as Zavren now sat on the normal bed nearby his gaze now calmly resting on the baby.

"I must say... she took my features but inherited my wife’s good and pure heart," he said.

Ariana smiled at his words and nodded gently, her face glowing with joy.

"Anavren," Ariana said softly.

Zavren grinned, as if he already knew where she got the inspiration for that name. A deep chuckle escaped him, echoing through the room.

Ariana stared at him and pouted in annoyance. This man was really something. She had scrambled to come up with a name..a perfect name and now that she was finally sharing it with her proud, annoying husband, he was acting like she’d just told a joke.

Zavren finally calmed down and spoke in a more serious tone.

"Oh, why didn’t I think of that?" he said, facepalming himself dramatically.

Ariana glared at him. Still, he nodded, clearly realizing how much sense the name made.

"Anavren," Zavren repeated again—and to his surprise, the baby moved.

Ariana’s eyes widened as the baby stirred, raising her tiny arm. Her heart warmed at the sight. Then, slowly, the baby opened her eyes. Those golden eyes blinked, then closed again, probably because the light had hit them too suddenly.

The little baby turned her face toward Zavren, staring at him.

Ariana’s lips curled into a knowing smile. The way her daughter stared at him with such curiosity—it was already starting to feel like she’d be full of personality.

Ariana mind-linked playfully,

"She’s looking at you like, ’Why did this man wake me up? I know that’s my beautiful name, the best my momma gave me. Does that mean you’re going to keep reminding me too?’"

Zavren chuckled at her words.

"Oh, that’s a lie. What she’s actually thinking is, ’Wow, is this my father? Oh wow..mummy and daddy are perfect!’"

Ariana’s eyes glinted with joy, her smile deepening as her gaze locked onto Zavren’s.

"I think mine sounded even more true than yours," she mind-linked.

Zavren shrugged with a small smile. "You’re right, then..."

Ariana nodded, then linked again.

"You remember what I always told you?"

Zavren’s eyes widened slightly. He looked to the side, while Ariana’s lips curled mischievously.

He nodded slowly.

Ariana leaned in closer and linked again:

"How about you say it? I need to hear it."

Zavren’s eyes flicked to hers, and his jaw tensed. Reluctantly, he began to sing, low and calm:

"Ohhh... my wife is always correct, and I am a cutie husband..."

He stopped mid-sentence, his ears turning red. His body froze.

Ariana’s soft laughter rang through the room, light and warm.

Zavren’s eyes widened even more—it was the first time he’d ever heard her laugh.

Silence followed.

His heart pounded. His hands remained mid-air, stunned by the sound. That laugh..it was beautiful.

Ariana noticed the shift. She bit her lower lip, watching her unmoving husband carefully.

"Zavren," she said softly, bringing him back from his thoughts.

She herself was surprised. Her laughter had finally broken through. She hadn’t expected that her little baby would not only bring joy—but also such a gift.

A very blessed child indeed.

"Sweetheart... laugh again," Zavren said gently.

Ariana’s face flushed. He wanted to hear it again.

But instead, she shook her head.

He chuckled, then turned his attention to the little girl. He slowly reached his hand out to her cheeks—but just as he was about to caress her...

...The baby suddenly sneezed softly.