Chapter 69: The Worst Possible Timing

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Worst Possible Timing

Saturday morning was quiet. Felix sat on the couch with one leg propped on the coffee table, mindlessly scrolling through his phone while keeping an eye on the clock.

Earlier, Seraphina had texted him.

Seraphina: I got my second day-pass approved today.

Seraphina: Can I drop by?

He had said yes right away. A minute later, another text popped up:

Seraphina: I want to try making lunch.

Felix had smiled at that, telling her his kitchen was free whenever she arrived. Now, he was just waiting.

To him, none of this felt weird. A stunning woman was coming over to his apartment, alone, to cook him a meal, and he didn’t think twice about it.

Over the past few months, she had simply become part of his everyday life: his patient, his teammate, and someone he genuinely trusted.

The strangeness of the setup had completely worn off.

DING-DONG.

"Right on time," Felix muttered. He tossed his phone onto the cushion, walked over, and pulled the door open with an easy smile.

The smile died instantly.

Standing on his welcome mat wasn’t Seraphina.

It was his older brother, Cassian. And beside him stood Elara, holding their sleeping baby daughter in her arms.

Felix froze. Cassian blinked at him.

Oh, shit, Felix’s brain screamed.

Seraphina was due any minute. On any other day, having his family visit would have been great.

But right now, an infamous former high-security prisoner, who also happened to be breathtaking was on her way to make him lunch, and his family had just landed on his doorstep.

He was completely finished.

Cassian tilted his head, eyeing him up and down. "Why are you standing there like you’ve seen a ghost?"

"What? No, nothing. Come on in." Felix forced a stiff, unnatural smile and stepped aside.

Cassian’s brow arched. "Right..." He walked inside, Elara following close behind.

Cassian looked around the clean living room, then turned back, narrowing his eyes. "Expecting company?"

"No," Felix answered immediately.

Way too fast.

"No?" Cassian pressed.

"No."

"Why did you blur that out like a guilty man?"

"Because it’s a weird question to ask someone in their own home."

A slow, dangerous grin spread across Cassian’s face. "Oh ho."

"Do not start," Felix warned.

"I haven’t said a word."

"You’re loading the cannon, Cassian."

Elara hid a small laugh behind her hand. "Why are you two already at each other’s throats?"

"Felix is acting shady," Cassian said.

"I am acting completely normal!"

"Sure you are, little brother."

Elara shook her head, smiling warmly as she stepped toward Felix. "Here. Take your niece before you two start wrestling."

The instant the baby was placed in his arms, every ounce of Felix’s panic evaporated. "Hey there..." he whispered, his voice softening completely.

The little girl stirred, opened her eyes, and let out a tiny coo when she recognized him.

Felix’s brain melted on the spot. "Did you miss your favorite uncle? Yes, you did."

She waved a tiny fist, and Felix immediately began puffing his cheeks and crossing his eyes, making funny faces until she let out a bright, bubbly giggle.

Cassian crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. "You look ridiculous."

"I don’t care," Felix said, utterly unbothered as the baby giggled again. "See that? She loves me."

"She always does," Elara said softly, sitting on the armchair.

Felix sat down on the couch, cradling the baby carefully. For the next twenty minutes, the dread was entirely forgotten.

He played with her tiny fingers, let her grab his nose, and made silly sounds until she finally grew tired and drifted back to sleep against his chest.

Looking down at her peaceful face, Felix felt a quiet, rare calm settle over him.

DING-DONG.

Felix’s smile vanished instantly.

His stomach dropped through the floorboards.

Seraphina.

He looked at the front door. Then at the sleeping baby in his arms. Then up at Cassian.

Cassian was already staring right at him, a wide, predatory smirk plastered across his face. He knew.

Felix tried to carefully shift his weight. "I’ll... I’ll go get that."

Cassian casually stepped in front of him, resting a heavy hand on his shoulder and pinning him to the cushions. "Where do you think you’re going with a sleeping child?"

"I can set her down—"

"You’ll wake her up," Cassian said smoothly, his grin widening. "Don’t be rude to your niece. Elara, be a dear and grab the door for our brother."

"On it," Elara said, already on her feet with an amused glint in her eyes.

"Cassian, I swear to God—" Felix hissed under his breath.

"Relax, Felix," Cassian whispered down at him, looking far too pleased with himself. "We’re family. We help out."

Felix sank back into the sofa, utterly defeated.

I’m dead. I am so dead.

The front door clicked open.

Elara found herself looking at a young woman with silver hair falling softly over her shoulders.

She wore simple casual clothes: a light knit sweater and dark slacks, yet carried an effortless, striking presence that made Elara pause for half a second.

"Hello," Elara said, recovering quickly with a polite smile.

Seraphina blinked, taken aback. "Hello."

"I’m Elara. Felix’s sister-in-law."

Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly. "Oh."

"Come inside," Elara invited, stepping back.

Seraphina stepped into the entryway, carrying a small bag of groceries. Her gaze immediately locked onto the couch, where Felix was pinned down, holding a sleeping baby against his chest.

"Hey, Seraphina," Felix said, his voice tight with a strained, helpless smile.

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