The baby stayed in the incubator for a while. During that time, Emma practically moved her company into the hospital. Her room became a temporary office—video calls, documents, all handled there. Every other moment, she was either by Gu Liang's side or standing with him outside the NICU, watching their son through the glass.
She studied everything about caring for a premature infant— Asking nurses about feeding positions, burping techniques, How to change diapers for a baby that small, How to do gentle touch therapy.
She was meticulous. The hands that once flipped through financial reports and car magazines Now held parenting manuals— And looked perfectly natural doing so.
Gu Liang's body was slowly recovering. His pheromones stabilized, Carrying the soft, serene scent unique to postnatal Omegas.
He watched Emma bustle around, Watched her make silly faces at the baby, Watched her celebrate every few grams of weight gain like a child with a prize.
The last traces of doubt and ice in his heart Melted into the warmth of these quiet days.
It was time to name the child.
One evening, the golden sunset bathed the room. Gu Liang leaned against the headboard. Emma sat beside him, A thick dictionary open between them.
"I want him to take your surname," Gu Liang said suddenly. His voice was calm, but firm.
Emma looked up, stunned. Her surname? After everything? After all the pain?
"Gu Liang, I…" Her throat tightened. She tried to speak— But he interrupted.
"He's your child. He should carry your name." Gu Liang's gaze drifted to the sunset. His tone was peaceful, Like something had finally been released.
"And Ai Group needs an heir."
His reason was practical— But Emma knew it meant more. It meant acceptance. It meant he saw her as the child's parent. It meant the past… had been laid to rest.
Emotion surged in Emma— Gratitude, guilt, awe.
"What about his name?" She asked softly, Leaving the choice to Gu Liang. A gesture of respect.
Gu Liang paused. His fingers skimmed the dictionary. Then stopped.
"Nian," he said. "Ai Nian."
Emma repeated it silently. Her heart soaked in warmth.
Nian. To miss. To remember. To cherish.
A name to honor this hard-won life. To mark their turbulent past. To celebrate the fragile, growing bond between them.
"Perfect," Emma whispered, voice thick. "Ai Nian. It's beautiful."
She looked at Gu Liang, Eyes full of gratitude and quiet love.
"Thank you, Gu Liang. Thank you for this name. Thank you for this family."
Gu Liang met her gaze. No avoidance. No coldness.
His eyes were clear, Like the sky after rain. He smiled— A small, real smile.
It rippled through Emma's heart Like a stone dropped in still water.
That night, Little Ai Nian was stable enough to leave the incubator. A nurse placed him gently in Gu Liang's arms.
So small. So soft. He smelled faintly of milk. His mouth moved in tiny reflexes, His fingers curled.
Gu Liang held him— Still awkward, But careful, As if cradling the world's most precious treasure.
His gaze was tender, His whole being glowing with the quiet holiness of a new Omega parent.
Emma sat nearby, Eyes wet again. She reached out, Touched the baby's cheek.
Ai Nian stirred. His tiny hand gripped her finger.
That touch— So faint, So real— Struck Emma like lightning.
A flood of emotion— Fatherhood, Love, Devotion— Overwhelmed her.
She looked up. Met Gu Liang's eyes.
No words were needed.
This child Was their bond. Their warmth. Their future.
The past— All the pain and distance— Faded in the presence of Ai Nian.
Hatred had been washed away by time and new life. What remained Was shared responsibility, Blood ties, And a fragile flower called family blooming from the ruins.
Emma knew— Her path to redemption had only begun.
But she wasn't afraid anymore.
Because now, She had someone to protect.
And that gave her strength.
Ai Nian.
Their shared hope.
Their light ahead.