Chapter 28

ELLA'S POV

I was startled awake by the sound of Ivy's excited yell.

"Daddy!"

The word echoed in my sleepy mind, pulling me from the remnants of a dream. My eyelids fluttered open, and I was met with the blinding morning sunlight pouring through the window. A disoriented yawn escaped me as I stretched, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My body felt heavy, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed, but Ivy's voice had already set the day in motion.

I dragged myself out of bed and padded softly to the door, curious about what had her so excited this early. As I reached the hallway, I froze, my breath catching in my throat at the sight before me.

Xavier, in all his strikingly handsome glory, was crouched down on the floor, playing an energetic game of hide and seek with Ivy. The way he moved with grace and ease, his sharp features softened by a rare smile, made it hard to believe this was the same man who usually exuded such coldness. Ivy was giggling uncontrollably as she darted around th