DAGON MANSION

CHAPTER ONE: THE BEGINNING

"She is Scarlett," Mia said softly.

Xena stood frozen, her gaze drawn to the child in Mia's arms. For a moment, everything around her — the white hospital walls, the hum of fluorescent lights, even her own breath — seemed to fade away. Scarlett was beautiful. Nothing else was conceivable. The child's dark hair framed her tiny face like a halo of night.

Mia, radiant and pale, looked almost ethereal. And Ryan — well, there was no denying his presence in the girl's features.

"She's beautiful, Mia," Xena finally whispered, her voice steady but heavy with emotion. "Congratulations. You must be very proud."

"Thank you, Xena." Mia began to speak again, but the door opened before she could continue.

"Xena, I'm already here," came a cheerful voice.

Mia turned and saw a lovely brunette woman entering — her short dark hair and warm, confident smile lighting the sterile room.

"This is Brisa," Xena said quickly. "My girlfriend."

Mia blinked, her expression faltering. The word girlfriend seemed to echo through her chest like a distant bell. Of course Xena wouldn't be alone. But knowing it was one thing; seeing it was another.

"Nice to meet you, Mia," Brisa said kindly. "Xena's told me a lot about you." She offered a hand, then thought better of it and let it fall. "Congratulations. She's gorgeous."

Mia managed a nod. "Thank you."

Brisa's eyes flicked to Xena, a silent question. Xena answered with the smallest shake of her head.

"I'll grab coffees," Brisa said, already backing out. The door clicked shut.

Silence pooled, thick as the heat outside the window. Xena's eyes, always unreadable, now held something between sorrow and restraint.

"Mia, I know I should've told you I was coming," Xena began. "Your mother called me unexpectedly. Brisa wanted to come too."

"How long?" Mia asked.

"Six months."

Mia laughed — short, sharp, bitter. "Six months. And you said you'd always love me. That no other woman would ever—"

Her voice broke. Tears welled up before she could finish.

Xena flinched. For a heartbeat, the mask cracked.

Mia, I loved you. I still do. But she couldn't say it.

Instead, she said:

"We weren't together anymore, Mia. You had sex with my father. You got pregnant while you were my girlfriend."

The words cut through the air like a blade. Mia's eyes filled with fury and shame.

"Fine," she shouted. "I'm guilty. I'm horrible. I'm like Ryan. Get out — get the hell out of here!"

Xena rose to her feet. Her voice was quiet but firm.

"I don't hate you, Mia. You're not a monster. You made a mistake because you were in love. Admit it... and be free."

And then she left — the sound of her footsteps dissolving into the corridor, leaving Mia in silence.

Mia turned to her sleeping daughter. Her heart clenched.

"You're the most important thing in my life now, Scarlett," she whispered. "I'll finish my studies, become a great psychologist, and love you with all my heart. You'll grow strong — stronger than me."

Two months later, summer came to Ablington Island.

Mia's first stop was the prison. She wanted Ryan to meet their daughter.

The guards led her to a private room — small, quiet, with a narrow bed and a metal table. Ryan was already there, waiting.

When Mia entered, his eyes immediately fell on the baby. For a long moment, he didn't speak. He just stared — at Scarlett's soft hair, at her tiny hands.

"Mia," he said finally, "she's beautiful. She's perfect."

Mia smiled faintly, though her chest felt tight. Ryan looked so different — leaner, but still magnetic. His eyes had lost none of their fire.

"She's ours," Mia said.

Ryan laughed, a deep, familiar sound.

"Look at her—she didn't stand a chance with genes like ours." 

"Ryan, please. Be serious."

He softened. "I am. She's the most beautiful girl in all dimensions. And she's lucky — she has a mother like you."

Mia blushed, turning away.

"Can I hold her?"

Mia nodded.

Ryan lifted Scarlett carefully, as if she were made of light. He kissed her forehead and whispered:

"You're my princess, my little miracle. I love you."

Mia watched in silence, tears brimming. She watched the way his fingers curled protectively around the baby's back, the way his shoulders curved inward as if to shield her from the whole gray room. 

"She has your mouth," Ryan said.

"And your ego," Mia replied.

He laughed, the sound echoing off the cinderblock. "Fair."

Scarlett blinked up at him, solemn. Ryan's smile faded into something raw.

After a long pause, Ryan asked quietly, "Have you heard from Xena?"

Mia's expression hardened. "She has a girlfriend. I don't want to talk about her."

Ryan hesitated, then changed the subject.

"I've ordered the rebuilding of Dagon Mansion."

Mia looked up, puzzled. "Your family's old house?"

"Yes," Ryan said. "It belongs to Scarlett now."

"Why?"

"Because she's my daughter. And she deserves better than the ashes I grew up in." He smiled faintly. "I'd like you to stay there when you visit Glouminster. It would mean a lot to me."

Mia hesitated, feeling something stir — curiosity, unease.

"Alright," she said softly. "If that's what you want."

Ryan's eyes darkened, though his smile remained.

"It's not the same as before, Mia. The house has changed. I swear it."

Outside, thunder rumbled distantly — a low, warning growl across the sky.

"When Scarlett and I go to Glouminster," Mia said, holding her daughter close, "we'll stay at Dagon Mansion."