Chapter 42

Kelsey POV

The sprawling corridors of Sterling Crest finally felt at peace.

Liam’s bright laughter bounced off the vaulted ceilings on a daily basis. His sneakers were perpetually abandoned near the grand entryway, and an assortment of action figures had established permanent outposts on the priceless antique side tables.

I sat at the marble kitchen island, letting the chaos of Saturday morning happen around me.

I was in the middle of reviewing the latest chapter of my new novel manuscript—trying to finesse the complicated, tense dialogue between my human heroine and her love interest—but my attention kept drifting to the comedy routine playing out at the stove.

"I'm telling you, Liam, this is the optimal syrup distribution," Garrison explained, holding a sticky bottle over a towering stack of golden pancakes with the utmost seriousness.

Liam stood on the stepstool with his arms crossed, staring at the plate. “You drowned the