His Chains My Wings Chapter 20
The way Alivia spoke to him brought a soft chuckle from Sebastian, filling the dressing room with an inviting warmth that enveloped them both. It was a moment that felt suspended in time, the air thick with unspoken affection.
After a brief pause, Alivia gently withdrew from his embrace, creating a small space between them. She reached for the weighty share transfer agreement resting on the dressing table, her fingers gliding over its surface as if she were tracing the very essence of their shared journey. When her gaze met Sebastian’s, her eyes were earnest and filled with a determination that he had come to admire deeply.
“I accept your dowry,” she began, her voice steady, “but I refuse to accept it alone.”
Sebastian blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her declaration.
“This foundation represents the fruits of our labor together—our awkward beginnings have blossomed into something remarkable that we now present to the world.”
Alivia’s tone was calm yet resolute, leaving no room for doubt. “It cannot belong solely to me. I want it to be a joint ownership.”
She was adamant; she would not be a mere dependent, living in the shadow of his success.
Sebastian studied her, recognizing the fierce resolve in her eyes. He reached out, taking hold of the agreement alongside her, their fingers brushing together, a silent agreement that encapsulated both their past struggles and their shared future.
“Alright,” he replied, a warm smile spreading across his face, gentle and accepting, as if he had just discovered a new layer of their partnership.
They chose not to have an extravagant wedding. Instead, they celebrated their union with a modest ceremony, attended only by their closest friends. Afterward, they poured their hearts and souls into the foundation and into building their life together, each day a new adventure.
Yet, as Alivia immersed herself in establishing the overseas branch, a life-altering surprise awaited her: she was pregnant.
The two lines on the pregnancy test brought with them a whirlwind of emotions—sweet joy intertwined with a gnawing anxiety. The early symptoms of pregnancy left her feeling utterly drained, forcing her to pause her previously packed schedule.
Late one night, she found herself staring at the daunting pile of unanswered emails on her tablet, a shadow of worry clouding her brow.
Just then, Sebastian entered the room, cradling a warm cup of milk, and settled himself at the edge of the bed, concern etched across his face.
“What’s troubling you?” he asked softly, his voice a soothing balm.
Alivia sighed, her voice laced with apprehension. “This child came so unexpectedly.”
“The launch of the London branch and our joint exhibition project are both at such critical stages…”
“Ali, look at me.” His gentle insistence made her lift her gaze to meet his. “This child is a gift for us, not an obstacle to your career.”
The next day, Sebastian gathered the foundation’s core team, a mix of familiar faces who shared in their journey. He announced Alivia’s pregnancy, and along with it, a comprehensive work adjustment plan for the next two years: he would take on more of the administrative responsibilities to lighten her load.
“We are a team,” he asserted, his eyes sweeping over the room before finally resting on Alivia. “Our aim is to achieve greatness together, not to burden one individual.”
In that moment, the heavy weight that had settled in Alivia’s heart began to lift.
She understood then that a true partner does not force you into a choice between family and career; rather, they stand by your side, ready to navigate the complexities of life together.
As Alivia’s pregnancy progressed smoothly with these adjustments, the foundation continued to thrive.
Yet, despite her hopes for tranquility, the winds of challenge blew fiercely. Philip, who had long harbored resentment towards Alivia, allied with distant relatives to stir trouble during the family’s quarterly meeting.
This time, their attack was aimed directly at Alivia’s background and capabilities.
“Seb,” Philip began, his tone heavy with condescension, “our Winslow family has a legacy of scholarship that spans generations. How can someone like Alivia, an athlete, possibly take on the mantle of matriarch?”
The atmosphere in the conference room turned icy, tension crackling in the air.
Sebastian’s expression darkened, ready to defend Alivia, but she placed a gentle hand on his beneath the table, a silent plea for calm.
With a measured breath, she stood up, meeting Philip’s gaze with unwavering composure.
“Philip,” she began, her voice steady and confident, “may I ask, should the criteria for judging a family’s matriarch be rooted in archaic traditions, or should it be based on the tangible value she brings to the family?”
Without waiting for his retort, she gestured for her assistant to project a document onto the screen.
It was the foundation’s clear financial report, alongside cooperation agreements with top museums from around the globe.
“This is the reputation and influence I have brought to the Winslow family,” she declared, her voice ringing with conviction.
With her undeniable achievements laid bare, she shattered the outdated prejudices that had attempted to bind her.
Philip opened his mouth to protest but sank back into his seat, defeated.
Following this confrontation, Alivia secured an unshakeable position within the Winslow family.
When their daughter, Belinda Winslow, was born, her arrival was like a gentle ray of sunlight breaking through a long winter—illuminating their world in ways they had never imagined.
One serene afternoon, as Belinda babbled her first words, Alivia’s phone rang, breaking the blissful moment.
Her hand trembled slightly as she pressed the answer button, her heart racing with anticipation.
On the other end, a choked voice broke through the static: “Is this Ali? It’s me, your mentor’s wife. Everett—Everett has woken up!”
And in that instant, the tapestry of their lives began to weave a new story, one filled with hope and endless possibilities.
