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00:30but somehow eight lives were already there the Shaw women had always been famously fertile my mother delivered twins my
00:37aunt had triplets in one go but no one could have predicted that when it came to me I'd skip
00:42straight to eight the clinic was warm but I felt only a cold gray settling over everything ahead of me
00:49would Lucien even want these children he could barely stand to look at me on a normal day and the
00:55Ford family would they ever acknowledge children I carried eight
00:59children formula diapers nannies school fees every single item on that list was an astronomical figure my own family was
01:11ordinary I had no allies what did I have to raise them with
01:15the more I thought the heavier it got I walked back through the doors of the Ford estate then Leo
01:22appeared Lucien's assistant
01:24the CEO has spoken give you 200 million dollars sign and never return
01:35200 million dollars I could raise eight children in luxury send every one of them to private school
01:42and still have plenty left over what did I care about the title of Mrs. Ford
01:47what did I care whether Lucien liked me I had Leo arranged the transfer right then and there and right
01:54in front of him I signed the divorce papers without a single moment of hesitation
01:58I went back upstairs packed only what was mine the couture gowns jewelry and designer bags from the Fords
02:06I left every piece untouched right where it was in the dressing room what wasn't mine I didn't want I
02:13collected the check and the divorce papers wheeled my suitcase to the door walked out of the Ford estate with
02:18my head held high that wealthy world I once thought so far beyond my reach
02:23looking back it was all just a passing illusion from this moment on there was no more Mrs. Ford there
02:31was only Aria Shaw and the eight little lives she was carrying
02:35later word spread across the entire city Lucien Ford the man who never hesitated never wavered had suddenly lost his
02:45mind
02:47immediately mobilize all living and resources find her for me you find her don't expect any of you to be
02:53okay
02:53he was hell-bent on finding her his ex-wife the one who'd taken his money run off carrying eight
03:01of his children and never once looked back
03:04I walked out of the Ford estate and flagged down a car straight to the private bank
03:08I converted Lucien's check into a card I could access anytime with that done I booked a first class flight
03:15to Savannah
03:15then I stopped at a luxury car rental and got their best vehicle
03:20once I was in the car I went straight to my parents place
03:25then they noticed I was alone with a suitcase and the smiles froze
03:29they knew immediately that something was wrong
03:32when I told them Lucien and I were divorced mother teared up at once
03:36she took my hands and couldn't stop crying
03:39father slammed his hand on his knee
03:40grabbed his cane by the door and headed for the Ford estate
03:44his whole body shaking with fury
03:46that heartless man
03:48even if he didn't care for you
03:51he had no right to treat you this way
03:54I'm going over there right now
03:56this is outrageous
03:59dad
03:59mom
04:00don't
04:01leaving him is a relief for me
04:03not a loss
04:04he gave me 200 million dollars
04:07that's more than enough for all of us
04:09for the rest of our lives
04:11I'm carrying eight children
04:16I can't put them at risk
04:18besides
04:19Lucien's been overseas on business
04:22he's not even in the city
04:25if we go over there now we'll only make a scene for nothing
04:28hearing the octuplets
04:29they stood there stunned for a long moment
04:31not quite able to process it
04:33but their love for me
04:35and for the children I was carrying
04:36won out over their anger
04:38my parents had spent their whole lives running a small diner
04:41they asked for nothing more than peace and quiet
04:44now I had money and a family on the way
04:47leaving this city that had drained me so much was the best thing for all of us
04:51we packed the few belongings
04:53got into the rented car
04:54then drove to the airport
04:56the city's glitter and its games had nothing to do with me anymore
05:00back at the Ford estate
05:02a very different scene was playing out
05:04the divorce papers and the check had never come from Lucien
05:08they had come from Camille Sutton
05:11Camille shared no blood with Lucien
05:13she had been taken in by Eleanor as a child
05:16and raised in their home
05:18she had loved Lucien for as long as she could remember
05:21and she had always seen me as a thorn in her side
05:25she knew Lucien was away on an overseas project
05:28she knew Eleanor was the one running the estate in his absence
05:32she knew I was just a girl from an ordinary family
05:35she convinced herself I'd clung to Lucien by any means necessary
05:40to her our marriage was nothing but a face saving arrangement for both families
05:45so she had made her move
05:47she had someone mimic Lucien's tone and send me the message
05:51she had paid off Leo to deliver the divorce papers
05:55she was certain I had married into the Ford family only for money and status
06:00she was sure that once I got divorce papers
06:03I would fall apart
06:05cry, beg, refuse to leave
06:08then she would step in and play the gracious peacemaker
06:12to show everyone how generous she was
06:15and turn the whole family against me for good
06:18but she had calculated wrong
06:21at that moment she was drinking tea with Eleanor in the garden
06:24don't worry Mrs. Ford
06:25Aria fought so hard to marry into this family
06:29she's probably in her room
06:31throwing a fit
06:33and refusing to leave
06:35I'll go calm her down later
06:38it'll show everyone how gracious the Fords are
06:43a nobody from a nobody family
06:46and she thought she deserved to be Mrs. Ford
06:50getting thrown out is exactly what she brought on herself
06:53just then the housekeeper Martha hurried across the garden
06:57Mrs. Ford, Miss Camille, Miss Camille, Miss Shaw is gone
07:01she packed only a few of her belongings
07:04she didn't take a single piece of jewelry or designer clothing she just left
07:08Camille's hand paused on her teacup
07:10her lips curved into a faint smirk
07:13she told herself I was playing hard to get
07:15running away to make Lucian chase
07:18but Eleanor's face drained of color
07:20the crystal teacup slipped from her hand
07:24what did you say?
07:25she just left?
07:27all those valuables in this house
07:28and she didn't take a single thing?
07:30it's true Mrs. Ford
07:32we all saw it clearly
07:34Miss Aria only took her own luggage
07:36she didn't touch a thing that belonged to the family
07:38Eleanor stood up abruptly
07:40she hurried straight to the master bedroom I'd been staying in
07:43Camille followed close behind
07:46composed on the surface
07:47something uneasy stirring underneath
07:50my room had always been simple and tidy
07:53now it was just empty
07:55every item that belonged to the Fords was still hung in the walk-in closet
08:00only my few casual clothes and a small stack of old books were gone
08:05Eleanor had the rest of the estate checked immediately
08:08the staff came back with the same answer
08:11Miss Aria had taken only what belonged to her
08:14not a single item from the Ford family had been touched
08:18Eleanor stood in the middle of the empty room
08:20her face paled
08:22then turned ashen
08:23rage and something unnameable churned inside her
08:28ungrateful girl
08:29fine
08:30she left
08:31what's she proving
08:33putting on such a holiest than though act
08:35but she knew better than anyone what she thought of me
08:38that I had stayed for the money
08:40that I had clung to the Ford name because I had nowhere else to go
08:44and now
08:45I had walked away without taking a thing
08:48it felt like a slap across the face
08:51the household staff stood with their heads down
08:53not daring to breathe
08:55no one had expected that kind of dignity from me
08:58they had all quietly looked down on
09:01Camille moved quickly to Eleanor's side
09:04Mrs. Ford, please don't upset yourself
09:08Aria's leaving just shows she didn't belong in this family
09:11I'm here
09:12I'll always be here for you
09:23you're the thoughtful one
09:25a hundred times better than that Aria ever was
09:28she made a pretty speech about not wanting anything from us
09:31but didn't she walk out with 200 million dollars of Lucian's money?
09:35deep down she's just as greedy as everyone else
09:38200 million dollars?
09:40she stood frozen where she was
09:43the blood draining from her face
09:45she had only paid off Leo
09:47she had only mimicked Lucian's tone
09:50sent the message
09:51had the papers delivered
09:53she had never had any access to Lucian's accounts
09:57200 million dollars was something she couldn't have touched if she'd tried
10:02so who had sent that money?
10:04a terrible thought detonated somewhere deep in her chest
10:08a wave of cold dread swept through her entire body
10:12her plan had been simple
10:14make me fall apart after the divorce
10:17make everyone despise me
10:19clear the path for herself
10:21but instead I had walked out clean and calm
10:25carrying the money and vanished completely
10:28none of this was what she had planned
10:30Camille kept the smile on her face
10:33but her fingertips were ice cold
10:35and her heart had dropped
10:37by then I had already arrived in Savannah with my parents
10:41warm
10:42unhurried
10:43no pressure
10:44no scheming
10:45nothing that seeped into New York's walls
10:48it was exactly the kind of place I had been longing for
10:51I bought a penthouse right in the heart of the city
10:54generous light
10:55open space
10:57more than enough room for eight children to grow and run and make noise
11:01the interiors were warm and comfortable
11:04heated floors
11:05the whole place breathing ease
11:13outside the city moved
11:15inside
11:16my parents voices were low and easy
11:19no cold rules
11:20no judgment
11:21just warmth
11:23and calm
11:25my mind clear for the first time in ages
11:28when the babies came
11:30I would be here
11:31I would watch them grow
11:33I would take them everywhere
11:35and give them everything
11:37I would never have to answer to anyone again
11:40I would never have to shrink myself
11:43to survive in someone else's home
11:45a life like this
11:47was worth more than the Ford name could ever have been
11:50six months passed
11:52I settled quietly in Savannah
11:54my belly growing rounder each week
11:56as all eight babies thrived
11:58every day I walked
12:00read
12:00and picked out tiny outfits and little shoes
12:03the days were simple yet full
12:06back in New York
12:07Lucian had finally returned after six months abroad
12:10sharp eyes
12:12not a single wasted movement
12:14Mr. Ford
12:15welcome back
12:17Lucian got into the car
12:19and spoke without looking up
12:21six months
12:22tell me what happened at home
12:24Leo stiffened head to toe
12:26Mr. Ford
12:28your wife
12:29she
12:30speak
12:32she signed the divorce papers
12:34Lucian's eyes went dark
12:37he had never intended to divorce her
12:40he had never sent any papers
12:42drive
12:43faster
12:44he went straight to the study
12:46on the desk
12:47folded neatly
12:48was the divorce agreement
12:49Lucian looked down at it
12:51at the bottom of the page
12:52the signature was clean and certain
12:54Arya Shaw
12:56someone explain to me what happened
12:59Mr. Ford
13:00it was Miss Kimiel
13:02she used your name to send Mrs. Ford the message
13:04she used your identity to trick her into leaving
13:07I had no choice
13:10the temperature in the room dropped another degree
13:15Lucian hurled the divorce agreement to the floor
13:18the pages landed at Leo's feet with a sharp crack
13:23get out
13:25go to HR and submit a written statement
13:28your annual bonus is gone
13:29you're on warehouse duty until I say otherwise
13:33Leo fled
13:35the room went silent
13:37Lucian stood alone
13:39surrounded by the weight of it all
13:41Camille scheming
13:43Eleanor's blind favoritism
13:45Leo's betrayal
13:47all of it made his blood run cold
13:49but none of it was what was pressing against his chest
13:52right now
13:54that was Arya
13:56the fact that she was gone
14:00three years ago
14:01at a charity gala
14:02he'd walked into the wrong hotel room
14:05spent the night with her
14:12by morning she stared at him
14:14panic in her eyes
14:15but her chin held high
14:18he'd been caught in a scandal at the time
14:20a rival had paid someone to photograph him
14:23and spread rumors about his private life
14:28marrying her had put an end to it
14:30after the wedding she never demanded anything
14:33never competed for his attention
14:35she simply took care of everything quietly
14:38never making him feel she wanted anything in return
14:43before every business trip
14:45she packed his bags overnight
14:46tucked his antacids
14:48and reminded him to take care of himself
14:53her eyes always gave away more than her words
14:58at the annual gala
15:00he hadn't been drunk
15:02he had used it as an excuse to do what he'd wanted to do for a long time
15:08to get closer to her
15:09to break through the wall between them
15:15and now she was gone
15:16carrying his children
15:18taking the money he had set aside for her
15:23that 200 million dollars had been sitting in a private account for months
15:28he had planned to transfer it to her name once things between them warmed up
15:32something to make her feel secure
15:34camille had turned it into a weapon
15:37it had become the reason aria left
15:40lucian pressed his hand to his chest
15:42something ached there
15:43heavy and hollow at the same time
15:46he understood it now
15:48what he felt for her hadn't been cold civility for a long time
15:52he had fallen for her
15:54slowly without realizing it
15:56and by the time he understood that
15:58she was already gone
16:01camille
16:02dawn had barely broken
16:04when the mood inside the fort estate hit rock bottom
16:07Eleanor sat at the head of the main hall
16:09both hands wrapped around her string of pearls
16:13camille stood nearby
16:15fingers twisted in her skirt
16:18eyes full of panic
16:20she was working hard to hide
16:23lucian sat across from them in a black suit
16:25cold-eyed
16:27still
16:27no
16:30she schemed against your grandson's wife
16:32against my children
16:34this needs to be settled today
16:37Eleanor looked at his face and said nothing
16:39she had watched this boy grow up
16:41he'd run ford group for years with precision
16:45no room for sentiment
16:46when he was angry
16:47he didn't spare anyone
16:49not even family
16:52lucian i know i was wrong
16:53i lost my mind i just
16:58i love you so much
17:00watching area take the place that should have been mine
17:02i couldn't stand it
17:04please
17:06just this once
17:07i swear i'll never do it again
17:10lucian looked at her from his chair
17:13you love me
17:14not a flicker of feeling in his eyes
17:17then why'd you impersonate me
17:22you took the money i put aside for my wife
17:26just to trick her into leaving
17:30camille that's not love
17:31that's cheap
17:33vicious even
17:36you spent years throwing your weight around in this house because my grandmother dulled you
17:42belittling the staff
17:43making areas life difficult
17:52did you think i didn't notice
17:55he paused
17:56his voice dropped another degree
17:59i let it go because you were raised here
18:01i gave you that much
18:03but you took it too far
18:05you went after my wife
18:07you went after my children
18:09Camille's crying stopped
18:11she thought lucian was only playing around with aria
18:14or putting up a front because of the rumors
18:17but from his words
18:18she heard something different
18:20he'd actually fallen for her
18:23for real
18:25no! that's not possible!
18:28ah!
18:29lucian! how could you love someone so so ordinary?
18:34she doesn't deserve you! she never did!
18:38whether she deserves me
18:39is not your call to make
18:41i am revoking every position you hold at Ford Group
18:45freezing every asset tied to this family
18:49and sending you back to your hometown
18:52you will not set foot in this house again
18:54not once
18:56not ever
18:57Camille completely fell apart
19:00i don't want to go back
19:01i'll do anything
19:02please!
19:03lucian shook her off
19:05hard
19:05she hit the floor
19:07her forehead caught the edge of the table
19:09a thin line of blood appeared at her hairline
19:13remove her
19:13he didn't look at her again
19:15the security moved in at once
19:17lifted her off the floor
19:18and dragged her out of the parlor
19:20her cries faded down the hallway
19:22and disappeared
19:24lucian
19:25it was my fault
19:27i should never have taken Camille's side
19:31i should never have treated Aria the way i did
19:34grandmother what's done is done
19:36the frost in his expression eased
19:38just barely
19:39but the warmth didn't follow
19:41there's no point in saying this now
19:44Aria is gone
19:46she took my children
19:48what i need to do is find her
19:51and bring her home
19:53put out the word
19:55use every resource the Ford family has
19:58find Aria Shaw
19:59Aria Shaw
19:59wherever she is
20:02bring her back
20:04yes Mr. Ford
20:05the six months after i left New York
20:07were the most peaceful of my life
20:10my father spent his free afternoons fishing by the lake
20:14my mother tended to the flowers she planted around the house
20:18the days were quiet and good
20:20i thought it would stay that way forever
20:22that i'd simply wait for the babies to arrive
20:24watch them grow and build a small steady life
20:28i wasn't expecting what came next
20:30one afternoon i took my parents to a fine restaurant by the waterfront
20:35my mother's bracelet shifted as she reached for her glass
20:38the restaurant owner stopped mid-sentence
20:41ma'am that bracelet
20:43is that a marley family heirloom
20:45my mother's face changed instantly
20:48she pulled her sleeve down and looked away
20:50that bracelet had been with her as long as i could remember
20:53she wore it every day close to her skin
20:56she had never once explained where it came from
20:59i pressed her until she finally spoke
21:02eyes red from years of held back tears
21:05my mother was the only daughter of charles marlowe
21:08the marlowe family was old money in savannah
21:11deep roots
21:13considerable wealth
21:14years ago
21:15she had been visiting New York when she met my father
21:18they fell in love immediately
21:20but the marlowe's refused
21:22my father was ordinary
21:24the gap between their families was too wide
21:27they would not allow it
21:29my mother chose my father anyway
21:31she cut ties with her family
21:33left savannah
21:34and spent the next decade living under a different name
21:37she never went back
21:39she never told anyone who she was
21:42she had missed home everyday
21:44but she was afraid her family was still angry
21:47afraid of walking back into the same walls of judgment
21:50so she kept it buried
21:51the restaurant owner was a distant relative of the marlowe's
21:55he had seen the heirloom years ago
21:57and recognized it immediately
21:59he told us that charles marlowe had never stopped looking for his daughter
22:03every year he sent people to search
22:05he was nearly 70 now
22:07his health declining
22:08and his only wish was to find her
22:11to make up for the time they'd lost
22:13it's my fault
22:14you gave up everything for me
22:17your family, your name, your home
22:18all these years carrying it alone
22:21i'm so sorry
22:24mom, dad, let's go see him
22:27whatever he feels
22:29he's still family, blood is blood
22:30you've both carried this too long
22:32it's time to go home
22:34they nodded
22:34the restaurant owner guided us to the marlowe estate
22:37my grandpa was nearly 70
22:39white haired
22:41but still sharp
22:42still present
22:43the moment he saw my mother
22:45the man who'd held himself together for half his life
22:49finally broke
22:50my, my girl
22:51dad
22:54my mother ran to him and cried like a child
22:58my girl
22:59i'm sorry all this time
23:01i'm so sorry
23:03he looked at my father
23:05the resentment was there
23:06but so was the evidence of 30 years of care
23:09my mother was loved
23:10the resentment softened
23:12then faded
23:13eight, eight babies
23:16my granddaughter
23:17you don't have to worry about a single thing
23:20your grandfather has more than enough
23:23you and the babies will want for nothing
23:25he bought the surrounding properties
23:28and merged them into his estate
23:29he assigned the marlowe's private doctor to check on me everyday
23:33he brought my father into the family business
23:36my father had good instincts for it
23:38with grandpa's guidance
23:40he found his footing quickly
23:41he soon became one of the family's most trusted advisors
23:45and i, as charles marlowe's only grandchild
23:49his most treasured person
23:51became the natural heir to the marlowe name
23:54half the family's holdings passed into my hands
23:57the girl who once lay awake
23:59worrying about raising eight children
24:01was now one of the wealthiest women in savannah
24:04a family at my back
24:06my parents beside me
24:08eight lives growing inside me
24:11i had everything
24:13i thought i would simply stay here
24:15grow old in this warm city
24:17with my children and my family
24:19that this would be the end of the story
24:22i didn't expect lucian to find me
24:24savannah was softly raining the day lucian found me
24:27nothing like the cold nights i remembered from new york
24:30i was lying on the sofa
24:31it was peaceful
24:33then i heard noise from outside the gate
24:35a familiar figure stood in the rain
24:38black suit
24:39straight posture
24:40the same sharp edges in his face
24:43but his eyes held something different now
24:46exhaustion
24:46something i couldn't quite name
24:49he stood in the rain with his hair wet against his forehead
24:52lucian
24:53i felt nothing stir in my chest
24:56not even surprise
24:57with the ford's power and connections
24:59finding someone wasn't a question of if
25:02only when
25:04he walked toward me
25:05each step a little too quick
25:07a little too deliberate
25:09his suit was soaked
25:10fabric pressed against him by the rain
25:13he stopped in front of me
25:14his eyes dropped to my stomach
25:16the visible swell of it
25:18eight lives inside
25:20a flicker of tenderness
25:22pain and regret
25:23crossed his eyes before they went still
25:26aria
25:26it was the first time he had ever said my name like that
25:30i didn't answer
25:31i signaled the housekeeper for a shawl
25:33mr ford
25:34this is unexpected
25:35what brings you all the way out here
25:37aria i
25:37he opened his mouth closed it
25:39opened it again
25:40this man who'd run boardrooms and moved markets
25:43stood before me
25:45speechless
25:46i came to bring you home
25:49home
25:49mr ford i think you're confused
25:52i'm not mrs ford anymore
25:56we're divorced
25:57we're nothing to each other
25:58i'm doing well here
25:59i don't need your concern
26:02and i'd like you to stop coming here
26:04the divorce wasn't real
26:05camille sent that message pretending to be me
26:07she forged my signature on the papers
26:09none of it came from me
26:10i never wanted to divorce you
26:11not once
26:12and the 200 million
26:13that wasn't camille's money to give
26:14it was already yours
26:15i had this set aside calmed down months ago
26:17i was just waiting for things between us to calm down before putting it in your name
26:19camille told you it was a settlement
26:21she used it to get rid of you
26:21she's been dealt with
26:22all her positions are gone
26:23her assets are frozen
26:24she'll never set foot in new york again
26:25the staff who made your life marable are gone too
26:29my grandmother knows she was wrong
26:30she's been waiting to apologize to you in person
26:32he reached toward my face
26:36his hands stopped in the air between us
26:38it has nothing to do with me
26:41what camille did
26:42how she was punished
26:44that's ford family business
26:47it stopped being mine the day i walked out
26:49i didn't leave new york because of camille
26:52i didn't leave because of your grandmother or the staff
26:56i left because of you lucian
27:00it was your three years of coldness
27:03it was the warmth you never gave me
27:05it was you who made me feel like i wasn't in a home
27:09but a cage
27:10i could barely breathe inside it
27:14i watched every word
27:16i weighed every step
27:19and now i'm out
27:20and you want me to go back
27:24aria i know i know i was wrong
27:27for three years i just refused to see what was right in front of me
27:30i told myself i didn't know how to reach you
27:32that i needed more time
27:34at the gala that night
27:35i wasn't even drunk
27:39i used that as an excuse to get close to you
27:42i thought i'd have more time
27:43i thought you'd still be there when i finally worked up the courage to say it
27:49the guilt in his eyes was real
27:51i could see that
27:52had i ever felt something for him
27:54maybe
27:55the time he stepped between me and the rude housekeeper
27:58the morning he quietly took the antacids i'd left for his trip
28:02the way he looked at me at the gala
28:04just a moment
28:05before things got complicated
28:07maybe there had been something there
28:09but three years of cold had worn it down to nothing
28:13lucian
28:15it's too late
28:17i have everything i need right here
28:19my parents my grandfather
28:20more money than i could ever spend
28:24and eight children on the way
28:27i'm not missing anything
28:29please leave
28:31don't come back
28:33don't disturb my life
28:35or my children's lives
28:40on the other side of it
28:42lucian stood in the rain
28:44and looked at a closed door
28:46he didn't leave
28:47he just stood there
28:48still getting soaked
28:50after that day
28:52lucian bought a house near mine
28:54he didn't try to force his way back in
28:56but he didn't disappear either
28:58he simply stayed close
29:00in his own quiet way
29:04every morning at dawn
29:06fresh white peonies were delivered to my door
29:08i'd once mentioned in passing that they were my favorite flower in new york
29:12never thinking he'd heard
29:14the dew covered blooms filled the house with a soft clean fragrance
29:19every afternoon a prenatal tonic made by his own hands arrived
29:23i heard he'd hired a nutritionist and spent days perfecting it
29:27temperature
29:28taste
29:29balance
29:30all tailored just for me
29:32every bottle came with a short handwritten note
29:34firm yet gentle
29:36always telling me to eat well
29:38rest and not overwork
29:41every evening
29:42he stood outside my gate
29:44staring at the window lights for hours
29:47he only left once my bedroom lamp went out
29:49he never entered
29:51just watched quietly from afar
29:53asking for nothing in return
29:55word spread through savannah
29:57the ceo of ford group had come all the way from new york
30:01to wait outside his ex-wife's house every night
30:04the woman who had taken his money
30:06run off with eight of his children
30:08and shut the door in his face
30:10some people called it devotion
30:12some people said he had it coming
30:14he didn't seem to care what anyone thought
30:17my parents noticed
30:19and slowly
30:20without saying much about it
30:22they began to soften
30:26aria he means it
30:28just look at what he's doing
30:29he dropped everything to be here
30:32and he shows up every single day
30:34without missing once
30:36effort like that isn't nothing
30:39those babies need their father
30:41you can't keep him away forever
30:43he was cold before I know
30:45but he's trying to change now
30:47at least give him a chance
30:50give the kids a chance too
30:53he's a man who's taking responsibility
30:56he's not perfect
30:57but he's here and he's trying
30:59raising eight kids alone is hard for anyone
31:01it'd be nice to have someone by your side
31:06aria I've watched that young man
31:08a man who'll give up his position
31:09leave his company
31:11and stand outside your door every night
31:13he's someone worth trusting
31:14you don't have to give him an answer today
31:18but don't shut him out forever
31:22grandfather Charles was the most direct of all
31:24he had always had an eye for talent
31:26Lucian Ford was exactly the kind of man he respected
31:30sharp
31:31decisive
31:32capable
31:33and legendary
31:35wherever he went
31:36I heard everything they said
31:38I still wasn't ready to move
31:40I could see what Lucian was doing
31:42I could feel it
31:44even when I didn't want to
31:45but seeing it and being healed by it
31:48were different things
31:49the hurt hadn't gone anywhere
31:51it was just quieter now
31:53then one morning
31:55I went to the small chapel near the Marlow estate
31:57to light a candle
31:58and pray quietly for the babies
32:00on the way back
32:02three men blocked our path
32:04they saw I was heavily pregnant
32:05with only a few servants beside me
32:08their intentions were obvious
32:10I had no time to react
32:12the staff tried to intervene and couldn't
32:14then Lucian was there
32:16he moved fast
32:26he dealt with them in under a minute
32:28when it was over
32:29he smelled faintly of blood
32:33anyone who touches my wife
32:35anyone who comes near my children
32:36they will pay for it
32:38the men were gone before he finished the sentence
32:42the hardness in his face fell away immediately
32:45what replaced it was concern
32:48pure and unguarded
32:55Arya
32:55are you alright?
32:59did I frighten you?
33:00I looked at him
33:02I felt something shift
33:03just slightly
33:04a hairline crack in something I had kept sealed for a long time
33:09that day
33:09I didn't tell him to go
33:11he walked behind me to the chapel
33:14walked behind me back to the house
33:15he didn't say much
33:17he just stayed close
33:18like a guard who had chosen his post
33:21and wasn't leaving it
33:23weeks later
33:23the babies shifted abruptly one night
33:26jolting me awake with a sharp pain
33:28the doctor said it was probably just pressure
33:30but someone had to stay and keep watch
33:32Lucian arrived within the hour
33:34he sat beside my bed through the whole night without sleeping
33:38he held my hand
33:39careful
33:40unhurried
33:41like nothing else existed
33:45don't be afraid
33:46I'm here
33:47the babies will be fine
33:50you'll be fine
33:51he held my hand through the entire night
33:54never once let go
33:55in the morning I looked at his face
33:57the red in his eyes
33:59the exhaustion he hadn't hidden
34:01something in the wall around me cracked a little more
34:05the days kept moving
34:07and my stomach kept growing
34:10round and heavy
34:11like I was carrying a small world
34:13walking had become slow work
34:16possible only with help
34:17rolling over in bed needed assistance
34:20every little movement ached
34:22grandfather had brought in the best obstetric team in Savannah
34:26they stayed at the estate around the clock
34:28ready for whenever the time came
34:31everything that could be prepared had been prepared
34:34Lucian kept his post nearby
34:36daily deliveries of supplements
34:38and whatever the doctors recommended
34:40he still didn't come inside
34:42he checked in through the staff
34:44made sure I was alright
34:45then kept his distance
34:47then one morning the pain came
34:51wave after wave
34:53harder each time
34:54within an hour I was shaking all over
34:57drenched in sweat
34:58hair stuck to my face
35:00my vision fading at the edges
35:02the medical team moved immediately
35:05the estate shifted into a different gear
35:08everyone at their station
35:09no hesitation
35:16mrs. Shaw push
35:17keep pushing almost there
35:19mrs. Shaw hold on the babies are coming
35:22stay with us
35:23I lay there and used everything I had
35:25over and over
35:27until there was nothing left to use
35:29eight babies
35:31one by one
35:32each birth drained me more than I thought I had left to give
35:36then the first cry cut through the room
35:38sharp, clear, breaking all the tension
35:41it's a boy
35:42then the second, the third, the fourth
35:45each cry joined the last
35:48layering together
35:49filling the house with sound
35:50but there were still two left
35:53and I had nothing
35:55my eyelids were stone
35:56my arms wouldn't respond
35:59every part of me
36:00wanted to simply
36:01stop
36:03mrs. Shaw stay awake
36:06two more
36:07your babies need you
36:10stay with us
36:11then the door burst open
36:17aria
36:18look at me
36:19stay awake
36:21I'm here
36:21the children need you
36:23I need you
36:25just a little longer
36:26his hand was warm
36:27I looked at him
36:29I saw it all at once on his face
36:32fear, agony
36:33none of his usual composure
36:35he didn't care what anyone thought
36:37about rules or how he looked
36:39something in me that had been holding tight
36:42for a very long time
36:44finally let go
36:45I used what was left
36:47the last two babies were born
36:49four boys, four girls
36:52every one of them crying strong and clear
36:55every one of them healthy
36:58tiny and perfect
36:59and overwhelming
37:04the head nurse cleaned them
37:06wrapped them gently
37:09congratulations
37:09congratulations
37:10mrs. Shaw
37:11congratulations
37:12mr. Ford
37:12four boys four girls
37:14all healthy
37:16quite a blessing
37:17I looked at the eight of them
37:19aria
37:20then the room went dark
37:22in the moment before it did
37:23I saw lucian's eyes fill
37:25aria
37:26thank you
37:28thank you for all eight of them
37:30thank you for giving me a family
37:32his tears landed on the back of my hand
37:34warm
37:35and real
37:35I had never seen him cry before
37:37this man who had never seemed to need anything
37:40who had run a corporation with ice in his veins
37:43was crying
37:44for me
37:45for our children
37:46outside the room
37:47my parents and grandfather watched through the window
37:50eyes glistening
37:52when I came around
37:54Lucian was still there
37:56he hadn't left my side
37:59he wiped my face
38:02helped me drink
38:03and stayed by my side all night
38:05with a clumsy
38:06focused tenderness
38:08it was nothing like the detached man
38:10I had spent three years waiting on
38:14he stood over the bassinet
38:15and looked at the eight of them
38:17there was something in his eyes
38:19I had no word for
38:20except completely undone
38:22he held each of them
38:24as if they were made of something
38:25that could break with a breath
38:26they had his sharpness in their features
38:29and something of mine in the softness around it
38:32he gave them names
38:33for the boys
38:34Liam Aria Ford
38:37Noah Aria Ford
38:38Eli Aria Ford
38:40and Cole Aria Ford
38:42for the girls
38:43Stella Aria Ford
38:46Luna Aria Ford
38:48Lily Aria Ford
38:49and Ivy Aria Ford
38:52every name held mine inside it
38:54every name was a quiet promise
38:56after the birth
38:57my recovery began
38:59and Lucien took over
39:00he cancelled everything he had in New York
39:03every meeting
39:04every obligation
39:06everything
39:06he stayed in Savannah and didn't leave
39:09he followed the postpartum nurse around
39:11and learned to make recovery broths
39:14he practiced changing diapers
39:16he learned how to feed the babies
39:18how to settle them
39:19how to get them back to sleep
39:21his technique was rough at first
39:23he fumbled
39:24he looked completely out of his depth
39:26but he never complained
39:28and he never showed the slightest impatience
39:31eight babies crying at once
39:33is not a quiet experience
39:35I couldn't get real sleep
39:37so Lucien took the nights
39:39every time a baby cried
39:41he was up
39:42he handled them with the utmost care
39:45holding them until they settled
39:47then returned to sit beside me
39:49my body recovered faster than anyone expected
39:51when I was ready to move again
39:53the Savannah Business Association held its annual gala
39:57I was invited as the Marlowe heir
40:00Lucien came with me
40:01most of the room treated us well
40:03word had spread about the octuplets
40:05and people were respectful
40:07the vice president of the business association
40:10Douglas Price had never liked the Marlowe family standing
40:14Mrs. Shaw congratulations on the octoputs
40:17truly a miracle
40:18so young already the Marlowe
40:20mother to eight children
40:22with Mr. Ford by your side
40:23you're the envy of this entire room
40:25though I do wonder
40:26how long can luck like this last
40:29I felt my expression shift
40:31I opened my mouth
40:32Lucien moved first
40:34he pulled me to his side
40:36and stared at Douglas Price
40:37Mr. Price
40:39Arya is my wife
40:40the mother of my eight children
40:44ah
40:46she endured more than you'll ever know
40:48to bring them into this world
40:55my protection my love
40:56none of it is remarkable
40:58it's the least she deserved
41:01and you just insulted her
41:02in front of everyone here
41:06was that a calculated move
41:08or just a careless mistake
41:10Douglas Price went pale
41:12then his knees buckled
41:14he dropped to the floor
41:15before the entire gala
41:17voice trembling
41:19Mr. Ford
41:21I'm so sorry
41:22I misspoke
41:23I wasn't thinking
41:24please I never meant
41:26the negotiation membership
41:27frees all his business interests
41:29in Savannah
41:30he is never to set foot in this city again
41:33the security team moved
41:35before Price finished his sentence
41:37his voice echoed down the corridor
41:39Mr. Ford
41:39please
41:42Lucien turned to me
41:44the cold was gone from his face
41:46the moment his eyes met mine
41:49he reached up
41:50and touched the corner of my eye gently
41:53are you alright?
41:55did that upset you?
41:57I stood there held against his side
41:59and felt the last threat of resistance inside me
42:02finally break
42:03yes
42:09Aria
42:11thank you
42:13thank you for giving me
42:14thank you for giving me one more chance
42:17thank you for giving me a home again
42:19Lucien held my hand as we walked along the path through the Marlow estate
42:22the breeze off the water moved through the trees
42:25the low golden light of Savannah's sunset surrounded us
42:28Aria
42:30from now on
42:31I'll never make you feel unimportant
42:34I'll never let you leave my side
42:36I'll never overlooked what you need
42:38every bit of warmth I have
42:40belongs to you and our children
42:42the New York estate has been renovated just how you'd like it
42:46white panties in the garden
42:47a full playroom for the kids and that library you always wanted
42:50with shelves full of books you'd actually pick
42:55and if you don't want to go back to New York we won't
42:59Savannah can be home
43:00I'll stay here with you with all of them for as long as you'll have me
43:06anywhere is fine as long as you're there
43:08as long as they're there
43:11that's all home has ever meant to me
43:13he bent forward and pressed his lips to my forehead
43:16slow
43:17careful
43:19we stayed in Savannah a long time after that
43:22long enough for the babies to walk and talk
43:25to call us mom and dad in eight different voices
43:29each unique yet somehow the sound
43:32we went back to New York sometimes
43:35Eleanor would see the children and light up in a way I had never seen from her before
43:40the Ford estate once heavy with quiet unease
43:44filled with noise, warmth and the wonderful mess only eight children could make
43:49Lucian returned to running the Ford group on his own terms
43:52not consumed by it, but present in it
43:56he made real time every day for us
43:59from a cold estate in New York
44:01to the warm for the rest of my life
44:04every year, every season
44:07all of it with him
44:10all of it warm
44:12all of it ours
44:14Ours
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