Alexander Valentine couldn't help but chuckle at Natalie Sullivan's pouting expression.

He reached out to ruffle her fluffy hair. "Let's visit the hot springs resort another day."

Natalie nodded obediently. "Fine. I'm not in the mood right now anyway."

Alexander secretly sighed in relief.

If this little troublemaker got too excited, he wouldn't be able to handle her.

Turning the steering wheel, he said, "At least Victoria Windsor got arrested."

Natalie narrowed her eyes. "Isabella's still out there. Victoria did all this for her."

"She won't escape."

Natalie rested her chin on her hand. "I still feel bad about my sister-in-law's baby. I already picked names."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "What names?"

"North for a boy, South for a girl."

Alexander frowned slightly.

That sounded... odd.

He tactfully suggested, "Maybe let them choose their own names."

Natalie agreed cheerfully. "Then we'll save these for our kids."

Alexander smiled fondly. "Whatever you say."

Natalie pondered seriously. "How about Alex and Natalie? Or Valentine?"

Alexander sighed. "Just not Alexander Valentine."

"Ugh!" Natalie rolled her eyes.

Alexander changed the subject. "Let me show you our new place. It's finished."

Natalie's eyes lit up. "You're the best!"

She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Alexander's ears turned pink. "There are cameras."

"So what?" Natalie declared boldly. "I want the whole world to know you're mine!"

Warmth spread through Alexander's chest.

Childhood shadows had always made him insecure.

But Natalie was like sunshine, brightening his world.

His phone suddenly rang.

Unknown number.

Natalie grabbed it first. "Hello?"

After a pause, Isabella's voice came through. "Cousin, can you help my mom?"

Alexander scoffed. "Who's your cousin?"

Isabella persisted shamelessly. "We're still family..."

"My mother's in a mental hospital, my sister's missing—all because of you!" Alexander gripped the wheel tighter.

Isabella began sobbing. "I have nowhere else to turn..."

Natalie had heard enough. "Call again and I'll slap you!"

"What's it to you?" Isabella snapped.

"He's my husband!" Natalie hung up and immediately called the police.

She lifted her chin triumphantly. "I win."

Alexander gazed at her tenderly. "My Natalie is always amazing."

The new home's passcode was Natalie's birthday.

The moment they entered, she gasped.

Like an excited fawn, she darted through every room.

"It's just like our family home!" she exclaimed.

Alexander explained softly, "I didn't want you to miss it too much."

Natalie pinched his cheeks affectionately. "I love you so much!"

When the bedroom door opened, Natalie froze.

A circular princess bed, river views through floor-to-ceiling windows—everything was impossibly perfect.

She wrapped her arms around Alexander's waist. "Remember what you promised we'd do here?"

Alexander nodded. "As long as your father doesn't knock."

"This time, no one's interrupting us!" Natalie dashed toward the bathroom with a laugh.