Chapter 637

Suzanne continued to ignore Tristan, keeping her focus entirely on Laurel. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"How about we... just go visit her first?"

Laurel knew exactly how desperate her mother was to see Elissa. "Once she's recovered and the baby is completely safe, we can find the right moment to tell her everything. Does that sound okay?"

Laurel had barely slept the night before, her mind constantly replaying Elissa's ghostly pale face. She had been terrified something might go wrong.

Thankfully, she had checked in with Rowan that morning and heard that Elissa was doing much better.

Still, she couldn't just kick down the door and drop the bomb on Elissa that they were blood sisters.

For the Wilkinson family, finding their missing daughter was the greatest miracle imaginable.

Old Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson had rushed over from Cresthaven overnight, and they were so ecstatic they wanted to march straight over to the Murphy family to claim her.

But for Elissa, the reality was entirely different.

She was the one who had dragged herself through every brutal, desperate moment of her life alone.

Now, her personal life was beautiful, and her career was thriving.

Her world was complete; she didn't need the Wilkinsons to swoop in and save her. And the last thing the Wilkinson family wanted to do was crash into her peaceful life and cause unnecessary chaos.

Knowing her personality, if she found out Suzanne had spent years in a wheelchair because of her, she would drown in guilt.

If she went through another massive emotional shock so soon, the baby might not survive it.

Suzanne, of course, prioritized Elissa's health above everything else. As long as Elissa was safe, she could breathe. "Alright, let's get the staff to prepare all her favorite foods and gifts. Oh, and make sure we bring something for Rowan's grandmother too."

Since this would be their first time visiting Elissa after discovering her true identity, they were determined to show their missing daughter the utmost respect, even if they couldn't officially claim her yet.

Laurel had already taken care of it. "Don't worry, it's all handled."

Over at the clinic, the moment Cliff heard about what Elissa had been through, he immediately put her on extended leave, demanding she stay home and focus on the baby.

After finishing breakfast, Elissa comfortably curled up in a lounge chair in the backyard, soaking up the morning sun.

Max, the dog, laid at her feet, lazily thumping his tail against the grass.

When Rowan walked out holding a plate of fresh fruit, the sight made him stop in his tracks.

For a brief second, his mind drifted.

It wasn't the first time he had seen this exact scene, but it had been so long that it felt almost surreal.

Years ago, his girl had loved sunbathing just as much, and Max had always been right there beside her.

The only difference was that back then, they would share one large lounge chair— half for her, half for the dog.

Now, she was pregnant, and Max had grown far too big to share the chair.

But the golden sunlight was exactly the same.

And she and Max hadn't changed at all.

Pulling himself back to the present, Rowan glanced at the mangoes on the plate- her absolute favorite for over a decade—and a soft, deeply affectionate smile tugged at his lips.

Elissa heard his footsteps and

turned her head, catching his gaze

perfectly. She squinted slightly

against the glare of the sun her

voice bright with happiness. Are those mangoes?"

"Yeah."

Rowan nodded warmly, walking over to her side. He picked up a piece with a fork and fed it to her. "Is it sweet?"

Elissa took a bite, the rich, sugary juice bursting in her mouth. She looked up at him with a brilliant smile. "It's amazing. You should try some."

Elissa had incredibly beautiful eyes. When she looked up at him like this, her eyelashes framing her clear, sparkling gaze, all he could see was his own reflection staring back at Him.

Rowan's heart skipped a beat, his voice dropping an octave. "I should try some?"

"Mhm."

She barely had time to nod before the man leaned down, hooked a finger under her chin, and kissed her without warning.

In broad daylight!

Her eyes widened in shock, but thankfully, he kept it brief, pulling back just enough

to murmur his approval. "You're right. Very sweet."

He sounded completely serious, but the playful, wicked gleam in his eyes gave him away entirely.

Flushed and flustered, Elissa desperately ignored how hot her ears felt and shot him a playful glare. "Jerk!"

"Well, well,"

A voice suddenly chimed in from behind them, dripping with fake annoyance. "Since you've been with this guy, you've started acting like a tyrant too. Are you trying to kick me out the second I get here?"