CUTE
“Aww, she’s so cute..” Aurora fawned as she knelt in front of Layla’s child crib.
“Your child is so pretty, Layla. I’m definitely stealing her away from you… ” Keisha teased as they all laughed joyfully.
Layla smiled, a warm feeling of contentment settling over her. She had never felt happier than she did in this moment, surrounded by her friends and her new baby girl.
“Thank you, everyone,” she said, looking around at her friends.
“I couldn’t have done this without all of you.”
“You’re welcome, Layla,” Keisha said. “And don’t worry, we’ll all be here to help you out with the baby.”
” She looks so much like Nolan. Baby Noelle..” Aurora read out the name that was printed on her pillow.
She was just two days old and the palace had been filled with so much joy since the day Noelle was born.
Everyone could see the Alpha smiling from ear to ear as he was in the best mood ever.
Layla looked at the baby, who was fast asleep in her crib. She could see the resemblance to Nolan, with the baby’s red dark hair and blue eyes. But she also saw herself in the baby’s features, and it made her heart swell with love.
“She’s perfect,” Layla pouted, her voice full of awe. “Just perfect.”
“She really is,” Nolan agreed, his eyes shining with happiness. “I’m so lucky to have her, and you.”
Layla felt her cheeks flush as she looked up to see Nolan standing by the doorpost.
” We’ll see you later Layla..” Aurora and Keisha said as they made their way out, locking the door after them.
“I thought I told you to have some rest?” Nolan grilled as he sat on the bed beside Layla, while he took her hand in his.
Layla laughed. “I know, but I wanted to stay up and watch Noelle sleep,” she replied.
“I just can’t get enough of her.”
“I know what you mean,” Nolan grinned, his eyes full of adoration as he looked at the baby.
“But you should rest. The doctor said you still haven’t recovered fully..” Nolan stated. He was still very worried about her.
“Don’t worry Nolan. I’m good, trust me..” Layla assured as she kept staring at Noelle.
Nolan has been so protective of her that she hasn’t stepped out of her room. He claimed she needed to rest.
“I know you’re feeling fine,” Nolan pointed out, his voice gentle.
“But I just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. You went through a lot giving birth to our little girl, and I want to make sure you’re getting the rest you need.” He insisted.
Layla sighed, knowing that there was no point in arguing with him. “Okay, I promise I’ll rest,” she finally agreed.
” But only if I watch Noelle a little. She’s so cute… ” Layla fawned as she smiled.
” That’s the reason you should get some rest. You know how much she cries at night and keeps you awake all through the night” Nolan reasoned with her.
Once Noelle woke up from sleep, she’d literally cry and cry even after she’d been fed.
“I know,” Layla said, her shoulders sagging a little.
“You see. So go to bed..” Nolan motioned. He was the happiest man on earth after seeing his daughter. And he would forever love Layla for giving him a little bundle of joy.
“I love you..” he planted a kiss on her lips as he helped her get into bed. He just finished covering her with the duvet when a knock came across.
“Come In..” The door opened and Darren walked in.
From the look on his face, he brought some news.
” Is anything wrong?” Nolan asked curiously.
” Not really. I bring bad and good news… ” Darren began as Nolan’s face wire a sour look.
It was too sudden to come bearing bad news.
“What’s that?” He asked.
“The bad news is Carla managed to escape and the good news is she’s dead..” Darren announced.
He knew he sounded weird announcing Carla’s death as good news.
But it was better that she died. Knowing the kind of person she was, she was hungry for revenge and would stop at nothing to get it.
Nolan felt a mix of emotions at the news – relief, sadness, and even a tinge of guilt. On the one hand, he was glad that Carla was no longer a threat. But on the other hand, he felt bad that someone once dear to him had lost their life.
“How did she die?” he asked, even though he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
“It was an accident,” Darren responded.
Nolan felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. Despite everything Carla had done, he still cared for her.
” What do you mean?” Nolan asked softly.
” Apparently, Carla had been so close to us over the years that she basically knew about how we operate… ” Darren began.
” She used the secret passway in the dungeon to leave. Luckily we discovered on time and started a hot pursuit.. ” he paused as his eyes studied Nolan for a while.
” Her brakes failed and she crashed into a tree. The car caught fire and blew up. When the fire was finally extinguished, the only thing left was her body burnt without recognition… ” Darren concluded. Nolan did not know how to react anymore.
Nolan was at a loss for words.
And he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow responsible for Carla’s death.
“It’s not your fault, you know,” Darren stated as if reading his mind.
“Carla made her own choices. She chose to do the things she did, and she chose to try to escape. You’re not to blame for any of it!”
Carla was a person he had sworn to protect. Her father was literally his savior and she became his responsibility. But he couldn’t particularly blame himself for it, could he?
She chose the path herself and brought it upon herself.
“Bury her body. I’ll speak with you later… ” Nolan waved him off as Darren left immediately after.
” What’s it? ” Layla’s soft and sweet voice rang in his ears and he felt a wave of peace rush through him.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
” It’s Carla. She’s dead!”