Mikael barely hid his smirk, fingers tapping lightly against the table as he stared at his phone screen, rereading Kian's message.
"Spare me those irritating words. I only want Chloe. You know that."
His gaze flickered toward his sister.
Chloe—casual, settled, fully engaged in the warmth of family, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
Then—the sound of steady, deliberate footsteps.
Mikael barely had time to lift his head before the door to the private suite opened.
And Kian stepped in.
Calm. Measured. Unapologetically present.
The shift was immediate.
Subtle but undeniable.
Aria stiffened slightly, catching sight of him first, her eyes flickering between Chloe and Mikael.
Carter glanced up, curiosity sparking in his gaze at the sudden tension pressing into the air.
And Chloe?
She felt it.
Before she even looked.
Before she even turned.
Before she even registered what Mikael's knowing smirk meant.
Because the entire room had adjusted—and there was only ever one person capable of making that happen.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
And there he was.
Kian.
Unrushed. Steady. Watching her.
Mikael exhaled lightly, tilting his head slightly.
"Took you long enough."
Kian's lips twitched, barely.
"Lunch is overrated."
Chloe blinked once.
Then—sharp, fierce, cutting straight to Mikael without a single word spoken.
Her glare burned into him, eyes narrowing, voice silent but deafening in meaning.
Did you invite him?
Mikael didn't flinch.
Didn't waver.
Instead—his smirk deepened, gaze flickering back at her with pure amusement, the silent response passing effortlessly between them.
I did not.
And before the tension had fully settled—before Chloe could process, before Kian could move further into the room, before Mikael could enjoy himself any longer—
Carter suddenly jumped up.
Straight toward Kian.
"Uncle Kian, are you here to play?"
Silence.
Then—a choked noise from Chloe.
She inhaled sharply, blinking rapidly, staring at her child like he had just flipped the universe upside down.
(Are you even my kid, Carter? For real?)
Mikael barely contained his laughter.
Aria had officially stopped breathing.
And Kian?
Effortlessly unfazed.
He glanced down at Carter, brow raising slightly.
"Depends. What's the game?"
And just like that—the collision was fully underway.