Side Story 4.65 - A Deal's a Deal

Jhoanna’s POV

I knew our son would be waiting for us.

I expected pouting. I expected a dramatic little speech about how we abandoned him. I even expected Rio to be smirking in the background, enjoying my mate’s suffering.

But what I did not expect—what made me nearly fall off my horse—was our little heir standing at the gates of the packhouse, holding the biggest, fluffiest, most absurdly ruffled dress I had ever seen.

Hans groaned beside me. “No. Absolutely not.”

Johanis beamed, lifting the dress higher as if presenting a grand treasure. “Welcome home, Momma! Papa! Look what I found for Papa!”

I was already wheezing.

Hans rubbed a hand over his face. “I blame you for this.”

I wiped away a