The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 308

Chapter 269: The Anniversary-1

Caleb POV

Claim

I paced the quiet length of the kitchen, staring at my phone. My usual instinct for an anniversary was to call a jeweler, find the most expensive thing in the catalog, and let the gold do the talking. But Bella didn’t want grand gestures anymore, she wanted my presence.

I picked up the phone and dialed Diana.

“Caleb?” Diana answered, her voice loud over some background music. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” I said, leaning against the counter. “I need a favor. Tonight is our second anniversary. I want to clear the house so Bella and I can have some time alone. Can you and Maya take Tom and Grace for the night?”

“Of course we can,” Diana said, her tone instantly softening. “We’d love to have them. Maya has been begging to take Grace to the park anyway, and Tom can help me organize my paints. Drop them off whenever you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Diana. I owe you one.”

I hung up and turned around to find Nadia, our live-in nanny, carrying a basket of folded laundry into the kitchen. She had a quiet, calm presence that always settled the house.

“Nadia,” I said, stepping forward and pulling an envelope from my pocket.

She stopped, looking at me curiously. “Yes, Mr. Black?”

“I want you to take the rest of the weekend off,” I said, handing her the envelope containing a generous cash bonus. “Take a trip, see your friends, or just get some sleep. You’ve been working tirelessly since Victor was born.”

Nadia blinked, looking down at the envelope and then back up at me. “Mr. Black, are you sure? Victor is still so small, and the house.”

“The house will survive,” I interrupted gently. “Bella and I have it covered. Go enjoy your holiday.”

A warm, grateful smile broke across her face. “Thank you, Mr. Black. I will pack my things.”

Once the kids were safely dropped off at Diana’s and Nadia had left, the house fell completely silent. I stood alone in the empty kitchen, staring at the ingredients on the counter.

But before I could even think about dinner, a sudden, familiar cry echoed from the small bassinet near the breakfast nook.

Victor was awake, his tiny fists waving in the air.

“Alright, little man,” I murmured, walking over and lifting his small, warm body into my arms. “It’s just you and me first.”

I walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of breast milk that Bella had pumped earlier. I filled a bowl with warm water, placed the bottle inside to heat up, and checked the temperature on my wrist just

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Chapter 269 The Anniversary 1

like Nadia had shown me a dozen times.

Clam

Once it was warm, I sat down in the rocking chair, cradling Victor close against my chest. He gripped the bottle with his tiny fingers, his eyes locked onto mine as he drank eagerly. The kitchen was completely quiet except for the soft rhythmic sound of him swallowing.

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