Their eyes briefly locked, and what began as a casual gaze gradually blossomed into a surprising warmth in her heart.

And without her knowing, she admitted, "Well... Zach, maybe because I feel comfortable around you." She paused with a smile, "And you helped me a few times."

This time, there was no hesitation in her words. They were simple and honest.

And her words earned a quiet smile from him.

But, once again, silence lingered between them.

After a moment, Zachary asked, "Sienna, about your family issue..." His tone remained calm as he continued, "My offer is still valid. If you ever need my assistance, just let me know. I’ll do my best to help."

Sienna was taken aback.

She still remembered Zachary offering to help her with her family matters, but in the past, she had thought he was just pretending. Now, searching for even the tiniest sign in his gaze, she found nothing. He seemed genuinely sincere in his offer.

"Thank you. I still remember that..."

A brief silence followed, but this one felt different. For Sienna, it felt like something was settling between them, something warm and comfortable.

Then, as if the moment had reached its limit of seriousness, Sienna tilted her head as she looked at him.

"But just to be clear," she added, her tone sounds playful, "if I ask for help, you’re not going to make me sign a fifty-page contract, right?"

Zachary raised an eyebrow. "Fine! Forty pages," he replied without missing a beat.

She paused for a few seconds. Then burst into laughter. "No. That’s still too many!"

"No way..." he said, pretending to consider it. "This is my final offer, thirty-five pages."

She was speechless. "Zach—

"Yes?"

"Heaven! You’re terrible at making comforting offers."

"I disagree," he said calmly. "I think I’m very generous."

She shook her head, her smile blooming on her lips, her earlier tension completely gone. "Good thing I didn’t ask for help yet."

He leaned back slightly, crossed arms over his chest as he watched her with quiet amusement.

"I’ll be ready when you do," Zachary said sincerely.

The words were light, spoken in the same calm tone he had been using all morning. But the meaning behind them wasn’t light at all. It lingered, settling somewhere deeper than Sienna expected.

And she felt it. Not in a dramatic way, not in a way that made her panic or overthink immediately, but enough to make her pause. Enough to make her wonder if this simple job she had taken... was going to be anything but simple.

Still, she chose to believe otherwise. There was no hidden motive. No complicated reason behind his offer. No carefully planned intention waiting to unfold.

Just a man trying not to disappoint his son.

And somehow, that made everything feel... simple again.

"Well," she said, lifting her cup slightly as if to make a casual toast, "I hope my cooking lives up to your very serious sandwich standards."

Zachary raised an eyebrow, "You say that like it’s a joke."

"No, I’m not joking. I absolutely meant what I said," she replied without hesitation.

"As you should," he said calmly. "Because sandwiches are important. Nothing beats a good sandwich."

She narrowed her eyes at him, studying his expression as if trying to determine whether he was serious or just joking.

"You know what?" she said after a moment. "I never knew you were this fun, Zach..."

"I’ve been told that."

"Really? Frequently, I assume."

"Daily." He answered calmly.

Sienna let out another laugh, the sound coming easily now, no longer held back by hesitation or careful thought. It filled the kitchen, blending with the soft hum of the morning and the faint scent of coffee still lingering in the air.

They continued talking, drifting from one light topic to another, nothing too deep, nothing too personal. Just enough to keep the conversation alive, comfortable, and strangely enjoyable.

Until—

"Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Aunty Sienna."

Both of them turned at the same time.

Skylar stood there, already neatly dressed, ready to go hiking, his small figure somehow carrying the same composed energy as his father. His posture was straight, his expression calm... but something had changed. He appeared softer.

Unlike yesterday, there was no keeping a distance in his gaze. No hesitation. Now it only radiates warmth.

"Good morning, Sky," Sienna’s voice softened instantly without her even trying.

He walked toward them, stopping near the island as his eyes moved around the kitchen, taking in everything with quiet interest.

"It smells really good," he said.

Zachary glanced at him. "You haven’t even tried anything yet."

"I can tell from the aroma," Skylar replied confidently.

Sienna smiled, unable to stop herself. "You really are your father’s son."

Skylar tilted his head slightly. "Is that good?"

She pretended to think about it, tapping her finger lightly against her cup. "Hmm... I think it depends."

Zachary let out a quiet sigh. "That’s not reassuring."

"It’s honest," she responds without missing a beat.

Skylar looked between them, a small smile forming on his face. "You and daddy are funny."

The words were simple, but they carried a warmth that spread through Sienna’s chest almost instantly. This feeling again, the feeling she had never felt before.

Zachary spoke before Sienna had a chance to say anything—

"Alright," Zachary said, standing up and stretching slightly. "The sun has already risen. We need to start now, bud..."

He moved efficiently, gathering the prepared breakfast and placing it into his backpack.

Sienna stood up as well, instinctively reaching for the warm drink she had prepared earlier. She held it out to him, and he took it without hesitation, their fingers brushing lightly for just a second.

"Thanks," he said.

She nodded, offering a faint smile, though her heart raced now.

Zachary then gestured for Skylar to start walking, and the two of them headed toward the back door, side by side.

Sienna followed closely behind, stopping just at the doorway as they stepped outside.

The morning light was brighter now.

"Have fun..." she said, lifting her hand in a small wave.

Skylar waved back.

Zachary gave her a brief nod.

Then they were gone.

Sienna stood there for a moment longer than necessary, watching the space where they had disappeared.

Only when she could no longer see them did she turn back inside.

The villa felt quieter now.