Zachary’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly as Skylar continued talking beside him, his small voice brimming with excitement and innocence.

Every word carried a kind of happiness that should have eased his mind. In many ways, it did. Seeing his son smile so freely was something he would never take for granted.

But the warmth came with a familiar ache. His son did not know the truth. He did not know that Sienna was his biological mother, or that the woman he called "Aunty" had once held him in her arms before circumstances tore them apart.

And—

Whenever Skylar spoke about Sienna with innocent affection, Zachary felt both grateful and guilty.

The car fell quiet as they turned into the driveway of Orchid Garden Apartment. The morning light stretched across the glass entrance, and Zachary slowed to a stop near the curb.

"Daddy, look... look... Aunty Sienna!" Skylar bounced in his seat and pointed through the windshield.

Sienna was standing near the entrance as if she had been waiting for them. She wore a simple cream blouse and jeans, her hair tied loosely back, but she still looked like someone the city had paused to notice.

The sight of her pulled an involuntary smile from Zachary. Then he glanced at his son, whose excitement had already reached dangerous levels.

"Sky, be good when you’re at her place. Don’t tire her out too much."

"Yes, I know."

"I’ll come back before dinner."

"Daddy, you’ve told me that five times already."

Zachary let out a soft laugh.

"Only five? It should have been more. I’m loosening my guard around you too much."

He pulled the car right in front of Sienna, but he didn’t rush to step out. Instead, he sat in his seat for one extra second, watching her smile widen as she looked at their car.

"Daddy, let’s go!"

Zachary nodded and hurried out.

"Did you wait long?"

Sienna shook her head.

"No, I just came out after I got your text—"

She couldn’t finish her words because Skylar launched himself out of the car and wrapped both arms around her leg.

Her expression softened immediately.

"Sky, I’m so glad to see you again."

"Me too, Aunty!"

She leaned back to look him over from head to toe, dramatically narrowing her eyes.

"Hmm. I think you’ve grown taller again."

"Really?" Skylar straightened proudly.

"Yes. At this rate, you’ll be taller than me by next week."

"That’s impossible," Skylar said with complete seriousness. "Dad says I still need to eat more broccoli and cauliflower. Euch."

Sienna felt a sense of déjà vu; she had heard him talk about this before. But she set those thoughts aside when she saw how adorable his expression was.

"He’s right. You need meat and vegetables to grow taller. Your father is a wise man," she replied solemnly.

Zachary carried the oversized backpack around the car. The thing looked big enough to support a three-day expedition through the mountains.

Sienna raised an eyebrow.

"Did you pack his clothes or supplies for a camping trip?"

"He packed it himself," Zachary said. "I was afraid to ask questions."

Skylar shrugged.

"It’s important stuff."

"Define important," Sienna said.

"My clothes, my tablet, my dinosaur book, my camera, emergency snacks, and... a flashlight."

"In case my apartment loses power?"

"In case we have adventures."

Sienna nodded gravely.

"A very reasonable concern."

Zachary watched the two of them talk, and something inside him loosened.

"Sienna," he said quietly, "I’m sorry, but I need to go now."

"Hmm..." She took the backpack from him with both hands and nearly lost her balance under the weight. "Good grief, Skylar, did you pack bricks?"

"They’re educational bricks."

"Wonderful. We will build a university later."

Skylar laughed and nodded in agreement with her.

Then Sienna turned to Zachary.

"Zach, you can go now... take care of your work. Don’t worry about us. We’ll wait for you here."

Zachary smiled back at her, though it did not fully reach his eyes. Leaving them together felt right and dangerous at the same time.

He crouched slightly in front of his son.

"Sky, obey whatever Aunty Sienna says. Don’t mess up her house, and don’t make her cook for you. If you want something to eat, call me, and I’ll have it sent over."

Skylar nodded dutifully.

"Yes, Dad."

Then Skylar immediately turned back to Sienna, clearly deciding the conversation with his father was complete.

Sienna hid a laugh behind her hand.

"You’ve been dismissed, Mr. Sterling..."

"Cruelly," Zachary said.

Then he leaned closer to her and lowered his voice.

"Have fun, my future wife. And call me if our son causes trouble."

His words made her heart race instantly.

Before she could respond, Zachary stepped back. Then he turned, walked to his sports car, and slid behind the wheel. Through the windshield, he caught one more glimpse of them standing together: Skylar clutching her hand, Sienna looking down at him with an expression so gentle it hurt to see.

For a second, Zachary imagined telling the truth right now. Skylar would blink in confusion. Sienna would freeze. And the fragile peace they had all been holding onto might shatter before any of them knew how to catch the pieces.

’No! You can’t tell them about it now... This is not the right moment.’

He started the engine.

The car pulled away from the curb, and he watched them in the rearview mirror until the apartment entrance swallowed them from sight.

...

Sienna and Skylar remained standing there for a few moments, watching until Zachary’s car disappeared beyond the apartment gates.

Only then did Sienna squeeze Skylar’s hand.

"Sky, ready to go upstairs?"

"Yes! I’m ready," he answered excitedly.

Together, Sienna and Skylar entered the building and, within a few minutes, reached her apartment.

She then settled him comfortably in her cozy living room.

However, before she could ask what he wanted to drink, Skylar suddenly asked innocently—

"Aunty Sienna, I heard from Daddy that you’re going to be my mommy..." He paused briefly before continuing. "Is that true?"