Bonus Scene: A Love That Lasts

Laughter drifted through the Yan estate's garden, light and full of joy. A little boy with Leonard's sharp eyes and Sophie's gentle smile darted between flower beds, his tiny footsteps thumping against the grass.

"Mommy! Daddy! Catch me!" Liam called out, grinning from ear to ear as he ran in wild circles.

Sophie stood under the shade of a blooming tree, her eyes soft with affection. Leonard chased after their son at an exaggeratedly slow pace, arms reaching just enough to make Liam squeal and dart away again. The boy's giggles rang out like music, the kind that wrapped around your heart and made everything feel lighter.

At just three years old, Liam Yan was already a ball of curiosity and mischief. He had Leonard's boldness and Sophie's warmth—a mix that kept their days filled with both wonder and exhaustion.

Eventually, Leonard swooped down and scooped Liam into his arms, lifting him effortlessly into the air. Liam shrieked with delight, his tiny hands grabbing at his dad's collar as Leonard held him close and kissed his forehead.

"Got you," Leonard said, his voice low and soft in a way he used only with their son.

Sophie watched them, her chest tightening with quiet joy. Leonard might be the man the city feared, the one with a ruthless reputation and an empire under his control—but to her and Liam, he was something else entirely. Gentle. Patient. Full of love.

"Mommy! Did you see?" Liam twisted around in Leonard's arms, beaming. "Daddy's so strong!"

"I saw," Sophie said, walking over with a smile as she reached up to smooth Liam's hair. Her fingers lingered as she added playfully, "But did you know… Mommy used to be the one protecting Daddy?"

Liam blinked at her in awe, as if she'd just revealed a hidden superpower.

And Leonard—he just looked at her, that familiar softness in his gaze—the kind that reminded her he still saw her as his anchor, even after everything.

Liam's eyes widened, his mouth forming a perfect little "O."

"Really?" he asked, completely amazed as he looked up at his parents like they were superheroes in a storybook.

Sophie smiled gently, her gaze drifting toward Leonard—who was already watching her with that soft, quiet look he reserved only for her. It still made her heart skip every time.

"Of course," she said playfully, ruffling Liam's hair. "There was a time your daddy didn't even know I existed."

Leonard chuckled, then pulled her gently into his side, wrapping an arm around her waist with Liam still perched in the other.

"That was the biggest mistake of my life," he murmured against her temple, his voice so sincere it made her chest tighten. "One I'll spend the rest of my life making up for."

Sophie leaned into him, her heart full—so full it ached in the best way.

But Liam had other concerns.

"Ewwww!" he groaned dramatically, scrunching up his face. "Daddy, are you kissing Mommy again?"

Leonard raised an eyebrow, barely holding back a grin. 

"What? You don't like it?"

"No!" Liam huffed, crossing his arms like a little general. "Because when I grow up… I'm gonna marry Mommy!"

Sophie burst into laughter, covering her mouth as she doubled over. Leonard stared at their son, genuinely offended.

"Excuse me?" he said, incredulous. "Absolutely not. Over my dead body."

Liam stuck his tongue out defiantly. "Mine!" he shouted, and then giggled as he wriggled in Leonard's arms like a slippery fish, trying to break free.

Leonard rolled his eyes, mock-glaring at his son. "This kid," he muttered.

Sophie shook her head, laughing as she leaned into both of them, her arms wrapping gently around Leonard's waist. Years ago, she had been invisible to Leonard. Just another girl in a school where she never quite fit in. But now? Now she was his wife, the love of his life, and the mother of the little boy laughing in his arms.