BEAUTY IN THE BEAST

THE END

Ch 142: THE END

Kat

It had been a month since I told Ace about the baby, our baby, and every day since, something inside me had shifted. I could feel it, deep in my bones, like I was shedding layers I had wrapped myself in for protection. Now, those layers felt heavy, unnecessary. With every gesture, every look, Ace was slowly breaking through those walls I had clung to for so long. And the thing was, I didn't want to stop him.

We had found a small village in France—a haven, far away from the chaos of New York, from everything we left behind. The quiet here wrapped itself around me like a warm blanket, softening the edges of my world. The house we were staying in was old, tucked away on a quiet road where the sound of the wind rustling through the trees was the only noise. It felt like a dream I hadn't known I needed.

I was four months pregnant now, my belly slightly bigger, a small, but constant reminder of the life we were creating together. Ace had been so attentive, so careful with me. He treated me like I was made of glass, but not in a way that made me feel fragile—no, it was something deeper than that. His care was unrelenting, a constant flow of love and attention that seeped into every part of me. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so seen, so understood.

This morning, I woke up in his arms. The sunlight poured through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Ace's arm was draped over me, his body warm and solid behind mine. My hand moved to my belly, feeling the slight curve there. Our child. It still felt surreal sometimes, knowing that I was carrying a piece of both of us inside me. A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it, and my breath caught in my throat.

I felt lighter today. I wasn't sure why, but it was as if something had shifted, as if the burden I had carried for so long was finally starting to lift. The weight of everything we'd been through, the pain, the fear—it was still there, but it felt smaller now, more manageable. I pressed my hand to my belly again, another tear falling, and before I knew it, my cheeks were wet.

I heard Ace's sleepy voice behind me, thick with concern. "What's wrong, baby?" His arm tightened around me, pulling me closer to him. "Is it hurting somewhere?"

I shook my head, my throat tight with emotion. "No, Ace... it's not that. I'm just..." My voice was barely a whisper. "I'm just happy. These are tears of happiness."

Ace propped himself up on one elbow, his hand moving to cup my cheek. His thumb brushed away the tears, his stormy grey eyes searching mine. He didn't say anything for a long time, just looked at me, like he was trying to understand every emotion I was feeling. Then, slowly, he leaned down and kissed me—soft and tender, as if he was afraid I might break. But I didn't feel fragile. Not with him.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my skin. "Happy?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

I nodded, my smile trembling as I reached up to cup his face. "For the first time in a long time, Ace... I feel free. I feel light."

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he kissed me again, his lips lingering on mine like he was savouring the moment. When he pulled back, he looked at me with an intensity that took my

breath away. "I love you, Katherine," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "You and this baby... you've given me something I never thought I'd have. Something I never knew I needed."

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time I didn't try to stop them. I just let them fall. "I love you too, Ace," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I love you so much."

He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me as he pressed his lips to my hair. "You came into my life, Katherine Martin, and made me realize that tears can come from happiness too."