Chloe inhaled sharply, fingers tightening slightly around her napkin as she shifted in her seat.
Composure.
Control.
Reset.
She focused on Carter first—who, completely unfazed, had just jumped straight into conversation with Kian like this was any other lunch.
"Uncle Kian, are you here to play?"
And Kian?
Effortlessly unfazed.
He glanced down at Carter, brow raising slightly.
"Depends. What's the game?"
Chloe blinked rapidly.
(Are you even my kid, Carter? For real?)
Before she could intervene, Mikael exhaled lightly, leaning back, amusement flickering across his face.
"Well, this is interesting."
Chloe cut him a sharp glare. "Mikael."
He smirked. "Chloe."
Aria coughed, barely masking her laughter, sipping at her drink like she wasn't enjoying every second of the unfolding mess.
Chloe exhaled, deliberately turning to Carter, voice patient but firm.
"Sweetheart, Uncle Kian is busy. He's not here to play."
Carter frowned slightly, staring up at Kian.
"Are you busy?"
Kian exhaled, gaze flickering briefly toward Chloe—who was absolutely trying to signal him to shut this down immediately.
He hummed lightly.
"Not for you."
Mikael outright grinned, fingers tapping against the table.
"And there it is."
Chloe groaned, rubbing her temple. "Mikael, shut up."
Mikael chuckled, shaking his head.
"You know, I expected tension, maybe awkward silences, maybe some bitter retorts—"
He gestured vaguely between Chloe and Kian.
"But this? This is much better."
Chloe exhaled sharply, composing herself before turning to Kian, fully prepared to dismiss him.
"Did you have lunch?" Mikael asked instead, completely hijacking her chance at control.
Kian exhaled lightly. "Yeah. Had a business appointment here."
Chloe immediately cut in. "Well, then we won't invite you. We're paying the bill."
Mikael barely waited a second before smoothly countering.
"We're going home."
Kian hummed lightly. "I need a car. Let my driver go earlier for urgent matters, you know."
Then—effortless, unbothered, already settling himself into the moment.
"Let me join you. Just drop me off along the way. It's only five houses away from your grand estate, Redgrave."
Chloe inhaled sharply, already preparing her refusal—
Mikael beat her to it.
"Sure."
Chloe inhaled again, adjusting, recalibrating, preparing for whatever was coming next.
And then—calm, smooth, holding steady—
"Excuse me."
She rose, slipping her bag over her shoulder.
"I'll meet you all in the lobby."
And with that—she escaped, heading toward the lounge, retouching, grounding herself, preparing for the car ride she absolutely wasn't ready for.