𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

②⓪

...

Jazmine opened her eyes to an empty bed. The quiet felt unnatural, and her hand instinctively reached out for the space beside her. It was cold. Rafe wasn't there.

Frowning, she sat up, her senses sharp in the stillness. Stepping out of the bedroom, she noticed the hallway was eerily quiet, the absence of his presence unsettling.

Descending the staircase, the faint sound of activity drifted from the kitchen. Following the noise, she paused in the doorway, her gaze landing on Rafe, who stood at the counter flipping pancakes.

His hair had grown slightly longer, with a few strands falling over his forehead, brushing just above his eyes in a way that reminded her of the photos he had shown her from a year before they met. His back was broader now, his frame more defined with muscle. He looked older, more grounded—it was strange, almost unsettling, how much he had changed.

A soft smile tugged at her lips despite the odd feeling. She walked up behind him, sliding her arms around his waist and pressing her cheek against his back, letting the warmth of him steady her thoughts.

"Good morning," Rafe said, his voice warm. "Sleep well?"

"It could've been better," she murmured. "Would've been perfect waking up with you next to me."

He chuckled, tilting his head to catch a glimpse of her. "Sorry about that. Had to get up early to make you this masterpiece of a breakfast."

Jazmine let out a quiet laugh as she released him, watching as he carried the tray of food outside to the garden.

"Where's Bella?" she asked, following him.

"Oh, she's with Jace, playing outside," Rafe replied casually.

She stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing. "Jace?"

Turning back to her, Rafe smiled—a knowing, tender expression. Before she could question him further, she felt tiny arms wrap around her legs.

She looked down and froze. A little boy with golden, curly hair and wide, bright blue eyes was grinning up at her.

"You're finally awake, Mommy!"

Her breath hitched. The child's small hands gripped her legs tightly, grounding her in place as her mind raced. She knelt instinctively, her trembling hand brushing over his curls. His warmth felt real, tangible.

"I've got so much to tell you about school!" the boy exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. "Yesterday you were too tired, but you're okay now, right?"

Rafe crouched nearby, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Jace, go wash your hands. Then you can tell us everything, okay?"

Jace looked between them, nodding enthusiastically before running off to the kitchen. Bella followed him closely, her tail wagging.

Jazmine stared after him, stunned. "Rafe..." Her voice was barely audible.

He stepped closer, concern flickering in his eyes. "You okay, baby?"

She shook her head slightly, her thoughts in disarray. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a headache."

Once outside, seated at the round table in the garden, Jazmine's gaze fell to her hand. Her finger instinctively searched for Rafe's signet ring—it wasn't there.

Instead, two rings adorned her finger: a delicate diamond-encrusted silver band and another with a stunningly large gemstone that caught the sunlight. Her heart thudded as she stared at them. Across the table, Rafe sat watching her, concern etched into his features.