Prologue - Beneath the Veil of Temptation

The white lights of Serenity General flickered against the storm outside. Thunder rolled somewhere beyond the glass, and the sound of rain softened the cries echoing from Room 406.

Li Xin gripped the edge of the hospital bed, knuckles white, sweat clinging to her temples. Her world had narrowed to pulse, breath, and the steady beat of the monitor. Pain came in waves—deep, tidal, relentless.

A voice anchored her through the haze.

"Breathe, Xin. You're almost there."

Cheng Hao's tone was low, calm, threaded with a quiet strength she'd once called arrogance. Tonight, it was the only thing holding her together. His hand covered hers—warm, firm, trembling only slightly despite the composure on his face.

The nurse smiled kindly from the foot of the bed. "One more push, sweetheart. You can do it."

Li Xin nodded, biting back a sob. Her heartbeat thundered against her ribs. Every second stretched until it felt like the world was holding its breath with her.

When the next contraction hit, she pushed with everything she had. The pain split through her, sharp and consuming, then—

A single cry pierced the room.

Her chest collapsed with a rush of relief. The sound was small and fierce, like life demanding to be heard. Tears flooded her eyes before she could stop them.

The nurse placed a tiny, swaddled form onto her chest. "Congratulations, Mama."

Li Xin stared down, stunned. Ten perfect fingers. Ten tiny toes. A faint wisp of dark hair curling against soft skin. Her vision blurred, and she laughed—a breathless, broken sound that carried every ache she'd endured.

Beside her, Cheng Hao went very still. The ruthless businessman, the man the media called The Silver Fox, looked undone. His jaw tightened as he brushed a fingertip across the baby's cheek, reverent, careful.

He looked at Li Xin—really looked—and for a heartbeat, everything outside that room vanished. The empire he built, the secrets he carried, the enemies waiting beyond the hospital walls... none of it mattered.

Only this.

"You did it," he whispered.

"We did," she breathed back, smiling through tears.

He bent to press a kiss to her forehead, his touch gentle, almost fragile. "Rest now. I'll handle everything."

She wanted to believe him. And for that brief, perfect moment, she did.

Rain pattered softly against the window, the rhythm steady and almost soothing. In the reflection, she saw the three of them—mother, father, child—bathed in the sterile glow of the ward, fragile yet infinite.

But joy never comes without a shadow. Somewhere deep inside, a quiet unease stirred—an echo of the choices that had led them here. The world outside this sanctuary still waited, full of questions they could no longer outrun.

Li Xin tightened her hold on the baby, memorizing the warmth, the tiny heartbeat, the peace she knew couldn't last. "Whatever happens," she whispered, "I'll protect you."

Cheng Hao's eyes darkened—not from doubt, but from the weight of knowing how fragile promises could be. Still, he reached out and covered her hand with his.

"We'll protect you," he said.

And for now, under the rain and the hum of machines, it was enough.

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