Next Morning – Mia's POV
Saturday sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, casting golden hues across the marble floor. The city was quieter than usual, a weekend lull hanging in the air.
I found Eric already awake, sitting at the kitchen island with tousled hair and sleepy eyes. "Good morning, Aunt Mia," he mumbled with a yawn.
"Morning, sunshine," I said with a warm smile, ruffling his hair. "Guess what? No school today. It's Saturday."
His face lit up instantly. "Really?! Then can we go somewhere fun? Like the amusement park Uncle Ryan told me about?"
I raised a brow. "He told you that, did he?"
He nodded excitedly, mouth full of pancake. "Yup! He said he'd take me when I was feeling better."
I glanced at the hallway, wondering if Ryan even remembered promising that. Still, a promise was a promise.
"Alright," I said, giving in. "We'll go. But you're brushing your teeth and getting dressed in record time, mister."
---
Ryan's POV
I had just stepped out of my room, freshly showered and dressed in a charcoal black sweater and dark jeans, when I heard Eric's excited chatter echoing through the penthouse.
"Uncle Ryan!" Eric ran up to me, his face beaming. "We're going to the amusement park today, right? You promised!"
I blinked. I did? Then again, I probably said it to calm him during one of his check-ups.
Mia stood behind him, arms crossed, giving me that skeptical look she wore so well. "Apparently, you made a deal."
I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Fine. But I'm not going on any rides that spin."
Eric cheered and dashed off to get his shoes.
Mia, on the other hand, just raised an eyebrow. "He's really taken with you."
I met her gaze, expression unreadable. "Don't get used to it."
Her jaw clenched slightly, but she said nothing.
As we stepped into the elevator, Eric between us, I couldn't help but glance at her. The sunlight caught in her hair, and for a moment, I was struck by how natural it all looked. The three of us.
But I quickly shut that thought down.
This wasn't a family.
This was a contract.
A temporary arrangement.
And nothing more.