Updated Mar 22, 2026 • ~2 min read
Chapter 27: Baby Shower
MAREN
Week thirty-eight.
Two weeks until due date.
Sienna and Imogen throw me a baby shower.
“Both families invited,” Sienna warns.
“Both families?”
“Imogen reached out to Conrad. And to the King Industries board. Everyone’s coming.”
Oh God.
“This is either going to be beautiful or a disaster.”
“Let’s hope for beautiful.”
***
The shower is at a gorgeous venue.
Rooftop garden.
Flowers everywhere.
Guests arrive.
Conrad and Valeria.
Imogen and her husband.
Emmett and his girlfriend.
Sienna and her wife.
And—shockingly—members of both families.
Drake from King Industries.
Patrick from Ross Agency.
Even some of the board members.
Everyone behaving.
For now.
***
The shower is lovely.
Games. Gifts. Cake.
Imogen gives a speech.
“Maren and Jasper, you’ve shown us that love is stronger than grudges. That family isn’t just blood—it’s choice. And I’m so grateful Isla will grow up in a world where Ross and King can coexist. Even celebrate together.”
Everyone claps.
Then Conrad stands.
“I’d like to say something.”
Oh no.
He clears his throat.
“Six months ago, I would have said this was impossible. Ross and King in the same room without bloodshed. But my niece taught me something important: holding onto hate costs more than letting it go. So to Jasper—thank you. For loving Maren. For honoring her. And for giving this family a second chance.”
Jasper stands.
Shakes Conrad’s hand.
“Thank you, sir. That means everything.”
And I’m crying.
Happy tears this time.
Because both families are here.
Together.
Supporting us.
For Isla.
***
JASPER
Emmett pulls me aside.
“Can you believe this?”
“Honestly? No.”
“Six months ago, we were enemies. Now we’re… family?”
“Weird, right?”
“The best kind of weird.”
I look at Maren.
Surrounded by people who love her.
Both Ross and King.
Glowing. Pregnant. Happy.
My fiancée.
Mother of my child.
Everything.
“We did it,” I say.
“Did what?”
“Ended the feud.”
Emmett smiles.
“You did. With love.”
Yeah.
We did.
END OF CHAPTER 27
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