Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 256: Blissful Moments Before Returning to Work

November 9, 1897

Newport, Amerathia

The sun had barely begun to rise when Matthew Hesh opened his eyes. He lay in bed, listening to the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs. For the first time in months, there was no gunfire, no urgent knocks on his door, no intelligence reports filled with death and destruction. Just peace.

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Amber was still asleep beside him, Sophia curled up in her arms, breathing softly. Matthew smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from Amber’s face. He had missed this—missed waking up next to her, missed hearing the quiet rhythm of their home.

He gently slid out of bed, careful not to wake them, and stepped onto the balcony. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and the faintest hint of autumn. Below, the vast Atlantic stretched endlessly, the water shimmering in the first light of dawn.

Behind him, the door creaked open.

"Daddy?"

Matthew turned, finding Maverick standing there in his pajamas, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Matthew crouched, opening his arms. "Hey, buddy. You’re up early."

Maverick waddled over, leaning into his father’s embrace. "Did you leave again?"

Matthew’s heart ached at the question. "No, buddy. I’m here."

Maverick yawned and nuzzled into his father’s shoulder. "Good. I don’t want you to leave again."

Matthew held him tightly. "I’m not going anywhere today."

Maverick grinned sleepily. "Can we go see the sea monster?"

Matthew chuckled. "Only if you promise to protect me from it."

Maverick gasped dramatically. "I’ll fight it with my sword!"

Matthew ruffled his son’s hair. "Then I feel much safer already."

Maverick wiggled excitedly. "Come on, Daddy! Before it hides again!"

With a laugh, Matthew hoisted his son onto his shoulders and carried him down to the shore.

Amber stood on the porch, watching as Matthew and Maverick played near the water’s edge. She smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest that had been missing for too long.

Sophia stirred in her arms, letting out a small, content sigh. Amber pressed a gentle kiss to her daughter’s forehead, whispering, "Your daddy’s home."

Matthew eventually made his way back up the beach, Maverick running ahead, waving a stick like a sword.

Amber smirked as she watched them. "Did you defeat the sea monster?"

Maverick puffed out his chest. "Of course! Daddy and I fought bravely, and it ran away!"

Matthew wiped a bit of sea spray from his face. "It put up a good fight, but Maverick was too strong for it."

Amber laughed, shaking her head. "Well, I’m glad to know our coast is safe."

She gestured toward the house. "Breakfast is ready. Come inside before you two freeze."

Inside, the smell of fresh bread and coffee filled the air. The fireplace crackled softly, casting a warm glow across the room.

Matthew sat at the table, Maverick on one side and Amber on the other, Sophia resting in her bassinet nearby.

For the first time in a long time, it felt normal.

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They ate together, laughing as Maverick recounted his latest adventures, while Sophia dozed peacefully.

At one point, Amber reached across the table, resting her hand on Matthew’s. "It’s good to have you home."

Matthew squeezed her hand. "It’s good to be home."

After breakfast, Matthew and Maverick ventured into the garden while Amber rocked Sophia in the shade. The boy ran around with endless energy, pretending to be a knight on a grand quest.

Matthew watched him fondly. "You’re getting faster, buddy."

Maverick grinned. "I have to be! What if another sea monster shows up?"

Matthew laughed. "Then we’ll be ready."

As the afternoon stretched on, the family sat together on the porch, sipping warm cider.

Amber leaned against Matthew’s shoulder. "I wish we could freeze time, just for a little while."

Matthew exhaled, pressing a soft kiss to her hair. "Me too."

For a long time, they sat in comfortable silence, watching Maverick chase the falling leaves.

It was perfect.

But deep down, Matthew knew it couldn’t last forever.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Maverick sat curled up beside his father, his eyelids growing heavy.

"Daddy," he mumbled sleepily. "Are you gonna leave again?"

Matthew’s heart clenched. He ran his fingers through his son’s hair. "Not tonight, buddy."

Maverick yawned. "Good."

Within minutes, he was asleep.

Amber stood by the doorway, watching. "He missed you."

Matthew nodded. "I missed him too."

Amber stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "You’re thinking about work again, aren’t you?"

Matthew sighed. "I have to, Evie. The country—"

Amber cut him off with a soft kiss. "I know. But just for tonight… stay here. Stay with us."

Matthew looked at her, at the love and quiet strength in her eyes.

He pulled her into his arms.

"I will," he whispered.

And for the rest of the night, he kept his promise.

As the night deepened, the waves continued their steady rhythm against the cliffs, a soothing backdrop to the warm light spilling from the house. Inside, Maverick lay fast asleep in his bed, clutching his wooden toy ship. Sophia, nestled in her bassinet, let out the occasional soft sigh, her tiny fingers twitching in dreams only an infant could understand.

Matthew sat on the edge of the bed, watching his son breathe evenly. He gently pulled the covers over Maverick’s small frame and placed a kiss on his forehead. The boy stirred but didn’t wake.

Amber stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression soft. "He’s happiest when you’re here."

Matthew exhaled, standing. "I know." He looked at his sleeping son, then back at his wife. "I wish I could be here more."

She stepped closer, resting a hand on his chest. "You’re doing what you have to do, Matt. You saved this country."

"But at what cost?" He glanced toward Sophia’s bassinet. "I missed her first moments. Her first cry. I wasn’t here when Maverick was scared, when he asked where I was every night."

Amber squeezed his hand. "But you’re here now."

They walked quietly to their bedroom, where the fire in the hearth flickered warmly. Amber set Sophia down in her crib before turning back to Matthew. "You can’t carry all of this forever," she whispered.

Matthew sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. "I can’t stop thinking about it. What happens next? What if there are still threats we don’t see? What if—"

Amber placed a finger against his lips, silencing him. "Not tonight." She cupped his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You’ve done enough for today."

He let out a slow breath, leaning into her touch. "You always know what to say."

She smiled. "That’s because I know you." She took his hand, guiding him to lie down beside her. "Close your eyes, Matt. Just for tonight."

He hesitated for a moment, but then, with a deep exhale, he let himself sink into the warmth of the bed, into her embrace.