Ara stirred from her slumber as John gently lifted her from the vehicle, setting her on her feet inside their grand mansion. The front door was already undergoing repairs, with several workers and soldiers bustling around to restore order. The mansion seemed surreal now with the lights on and the foyer teeming with people. The bustling activity somehow diminished some of the fear she had felt at the prospect of reentering their home.
Ara estimated that it wasn't quite midnight yet, but she felt utterly drained, the evening's events having taken a significant toll on her. She soothingly ran her palm over the silk fabric that covered her lower abdomen, aware that her exhaustion wasn't solely due to the night's events. She had planned to share some news with John tonight, but much like the g
