Chapter 262: He Was a Father First
Dominic let out a slow breath before rising to his feet.
He fell silent, absently rubbing his chin as he took a few slow, thoughtful steps across the room.
Eventually, he came to a stop and looked back at Dahlia, a faint crease settling between his brows.
“And what about Jaime?”
Dahlia looked at him questioningly.
“What if Tobias decides to let Maya live the life he denied Malia… only to place the burden on Jaime?”
A faint smile unexpectedly curved Dahlia’s lips.
“That’s exactly why I’m not worried.”
Dominic frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Dahlia held his gaze for a moment before finally voicing what had been on her mind.
“Tobias always wanted a son.”
A trace of sadness touched Dahlia’s smile.
“If he’d had a son, Malia would never have had to carry the weight and pressure of their family’s legacy
alone.”
She met Dominic’s gaze, quiet certainty shining in her eyes.
“And that’s exactly why I believe Jaime will be the one to change him.”
Dominic remained silent, still not fully understanding where Dahlia was going with this.
A faint smile touched her lips.
“Malia and Julian raised their children well,” she said softly.
“They may not have had the privilege of watching them grow into adults. And yet, in those few short years
they had together, they taught their children what truly mattered.”
“They taught them that family comes before everything else.”
Her eyes softened, glistening with unshed tears.
“Neither Maya nor Jaime possesses an ounce of greed, and the bond they share is something no amount of wealth or power could ever break.”
She held Dominic’s gaze, watching the worry in his eyes slowly give way to understanding.
“If Tobias chooses to let Maya live the life he denied his daughter, then the burden of the Lockwood
Chapter 262-
Father First
legacy will inevitably fall on Jaime.”
A quiet tenderness softened Dahlia’s features.
“And if accepting that burden is the only way to protect his sister, Jaime won’t hesitate to sacrifice his own
freedom.”
Dominic frowned, the words leaving his mouth almost instinctively.
“But Maya would never allow him to do that.”
Dahlia nodded.
“Exactly.”
“She would rather carry that burden herself than watch her brother give up his future for her. And Jaime would never allow Maya to make that sacrifice either.”
A faint smile touched her lips as she slowly shook her head.
“They’ll keep trying to protect each other, no matter the cost.”
Her voice softened with quiet conviction.
“And that’s exactly what Tobias needs to see. For the first time in his life, he’ll witness two heirs who value each other more than the legacy he’s spent his entire life protecting.”
She rose to her feet and closed the distance between them.
Taking Dominic’s hand gently in hers, she met his eyes.
“And perhaps… only then will Tobias finally understand what Malia had been trying to teach him all along.”
Dominic searched Dahlia’s eyes, as though weighing every word she had spoken.
The worry that had shadowed his face throughout their conversation gradually eased.
“I understand now,” he said quietly.
His fingers gently tightened around hers.
“This was never about changing Tobias.”
He paused, a faint smile touching his lips.
“It was about giving him one last chance to remember that, before he was a king, he was a father.”
Dahlia’s eyes glistened as she gave the slightest nod.
“I hope he’ll choose differently this time,” she whispered.
“It may be too late for him to make things right as a father… but perhaps it’s not too late for him to become the grandfather Maya and Jaime deserve.”
Before either of them could say another word, the sudden vibration of a phone against the bedside table
Chapter 262 Was a Father Fire
drew both their attention.
A knowing look crossed Dahlia’s face.
“It must be important”
She gently released Dominic’s hand and walked over to the bedside table.
Her eyes fell on the screen.
Alice.
She reached for the phone and answered the call.
“Yes?… Mm-hmm… I understand.”
Her eyes briefly shifted toward Dominic.
“Thank you. We’ll be leaving soon. We’ll see you there.”
After exchanging a few more words, she ended the call and set the phone back on the bedside table.
Dominic searched her face.
“Everything all right?”
Dahlia nodded.
“That was Alice.”
“She wanted to let me know that her security team just called to confirm the medical team Nicholas arranged arrived safely. Max personally dropped them off.”
A reassuring smile touched her lips.
“They’ve completed all the necessary security checks, and everything is clear. Alice has also arranged a comfortable place for them to rest while they wait.”
She paused before adding,
“She also confirmed we’ve been cleared for departure. The plane is scheduled to leave at eight-thirty.”
Dominic’s eyes drifted to the clock on the wall.
It was just a few minutes before six.
Dahlia walked over, gently cupped his cheek, and he naturally leaned into her touch.
“You worry too much,” she said with a faint smile.
Dominic let out a quiet breath.
“hope you’re right… about everything.”
Dahlia held his gaze, a gentle smile warming her features.
“So do l.”
Rising onto her toes, she pressed a tender kiss to his cheek.
“I’ll finish getting ready. We should be leaving before seven. It’s only about a thirty-minute drive, so we’ll have plenty of time before our departure.”
Dominic nodded.
“I’ll go check on Jaime too. Knowing him, he’s probably already packed and waiting by the door.”
The image earned a genuine chuckle from Dahlia, briefly softening the heavy emotion in her eyes.
“Oh, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Leaning down, Dominic pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
“Go finish up. I’ll check on everyone downstairs.”
With that, he turned, opened the bedroom door, and quietly left.
Left alone, Dahlia reached for the pendant resting against her chest, gently wrapping the chain around her
fingers.
“Malia…” she whispered.
“I’ll protect our children., no matter what it takes.”
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, holding the pendant close.
Some hopes were too fragile for promises.
Now, all they could do… was trust that fate would be kinder this time.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.