Chapter 12
I never really “treated” his depression.
1/4
Instead, I just… loved him. Like a normal person. Made him laugh. Babied him a bit. Gave him that safety net he never had.
And slowly, he started healing.
All that insecurity and hypersensitivity from his toxic family? I filled those holes. He began leaning on me more, growing stronger, more alive.
His assistant pulled me aside once.
–
“Look, I know it’s not exactly healthy him being so emotionally dependent on someone else…”
“But what choice do we have? Maybe he’s just…” The words ‘a hopeless romantic‘ hung unspoken between us.
“Yeah, I get it,” I said. “It’s not ideal. His emotional stability depends on others, not himself. If anything happened to me…”
I sighed. “But hey, nobody’s perfect, right?”
When I chose him, I chose all of him – unique emotional wiring.
and all.
I wouldn’t force him to change who he was.
Chapter 12
A good relationship should bring joy, not painful self–reinvention.
I just wanted him happy.
Everything else? That was just no big deal.
On our third anniversary, I found out I was pregnant.
Alaric couldn’t sleep that night, fidgeting with anxiety and something like sadness.
“What’s wrong?” I finally asked.
He pulled me close, his voice small and scared. “Babe, what if I’m a terrible father? Would you hate me if I mess this up?”
“Never.” I stroked his hair. “You’ll always come first.”
2/4
“Look, this kid would survive. How they turn out is up to them. But you and me? We’re in this for life, honey.”
His eyes went wide. He tried to speak but couldn’t find the words.
Finally, he said, “You’re so different.”
“Maybe I am.”
Most parents burn themselves out living for their kids, sacrificing everything.
Chapter 12
That was not me.
Life was too short to live it for someone else.
Alaric and I were different that way.
3/4
He’s desperate for family – that picture–perfect dream of a sweet wife and cute kids running around.
“You know what?” I told him. “You’re gonna be amazing at this.”
“Everything you missed out on as a kid? You’ll give it all to this baby. You’ll love them right.”
And maybe, just maybe, loving this child will heal that broken little boy inside him.
That was why I’m doing this. For him.
He held me tight. “You’re still my everything. I just… want this baby too. I’ll be the best dad ever. I promise.”
“I know you will.”
I smiled up at him. “I believe in you.”
I believed he would be incredible, happy, and live a long, beautiful life.
And I would be right here, watching him thrive, watching him. bloom.
Chapter 12
Our future’s gonna be amazing.
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