Chapter 55

“Aiden, buddy, long time no see. Why haven’t you come visit your uncle lately?”

Damien bent forward slightly, his elegant fingers reaching out to gently pinch Aiden’s chubby little cheek.

“I’ve been busy with school! School stuff, you know. No time to visit,” Aiden said seriously, clearly proud of finding such a legit excuse.

Damien chuckled, a warm smile spreading on his face, soft and comforting like sunshine breaking through on a cold day.

He lifted Aiden into his arms with ease, then turned to Gabriel. “Gabriel.”

Gabriel gave a polite nod in response, then shifted his gaze to Lilah, who was standing there staring anxiously at Damien.

Too bad Damien didn’t even look her way. After holding Aiden for a bit, he set him down and said, “Let’s head in. Your grandparents are waiting for you.”

“Okay.”

Aiden nodded obediently and trotted over, grabbing his mom’s hand first, then his dad’s—insisting they walk in as a proper family trio.