Thoughts of Wendy lingering in the restaurant spurred him into action. Gianna and Pepper nked him, guiding him toward the car with gentle coaxing and firm hands.


    ...


    Jonathan climbed in beside Steven, shooting him a pointed nce.


    "Keep spoiling that sister of yours. Don''te crying when your family gets cleaned out," he warned.


    Steven let out a frostyugh. "Family? That doesn''t exist anymore."


    When he was nine, his infant sister had died the day she was born, sending his mother into near madness. That day, his family ceased to exist.


    It wasn''t that he couldn''t see through Pepper''s feigned sobs and little tricks. He simply didn''t care to engage.


    Jonathan studied him for a moment, realizing Steven had his own boundaries, and decided to leave it alone.


    He wasn''t one for other people''s family dramas; his only concern was that Anneliese and Wendy got along.


    By the time the two returned to the restaurant, Anneliese and Wendy had joined Ellie on the floor, arranging puzzle pieces together.


    Noticing theme back, Anneliese touched the stacked dishes to test the warmth.


    "Still nice and warm. Do you want to eat these, or would you rather order fresh?" Jonathan gave a small nod, slid an arm around her waist, and, as if the world had disappeared, kissed her forehead.


    "No need. Whatever you set aside for me is perfect. My wife really spoils me."


    She had prepared a meal for him, intentionally.


    Anneliese flushed and gave him a teasing re.


    Steven was easygoing, too. He shrugged off his coat, picked up a fork, and thanked Anneliese.


    They ate and talked casually. Nobody asked about Adrian''s well-being; nobody mentioned it.


    Two grown men ate quickly. Within half an hour, they were ready to leave.


    Steven had a pile of work waiting, and Wendy had a major event scheduled for the next day.


    Ellie was originally supposed to be sent to Adrian that day, but when Anneliese heard this, she arranged with Wendy that tomorrow she would pick Ellie up and bring her to The Banyans.


    Ellie''s excitement was palpable. She had never gone alone to a friend''s home before, her eyes sparkling as she nodded.


    Before leaving, Anneliese tapped her head. "Pinky swear. Wait for me tomorrow, okay?"


    In Steven''s arms, Ellie reached out, linking pinkies, her smile stretching her eyes into crescent shapes.


    Once they drove away, Jonathan drew Anneliese close.


    "So you''re really fond of that little one, huh?"


    "She''s adorable, isn''t she?" Anneliese lifted her face.


    Jonathan lowered his head, brushing his lips near her ear.


    "Not as much as our future child. Honey, shall we have one?"


    Anneliese froze, speechless.


    She had never seriously considered having a baby, and Jonathan hadn''t seemed interested before either.


    She leaned back slightly. "Are you serious?"


    Jonathan hesitated. He had


    assumed Anneliese was still


    focused on her career, making up for


    lost time, and their two-person world


    was enough. Children had never


    been part of the n.


    But watching her interact with Ellie, that effortless, gentle side she rarely noticed,


    made the idea of a baby suddenly appealing.


    Besides, Zane already had a child, even if he didn''t know it yet.


    Jonathan was the first among them to marry, yet somehow he felt behind. It irked him, just a little.


    He raised a brow. "No rush. But maybe we should start thinking about it."


    They had secured their marriage certificate quickly, with no formal ceremony yet.


    Whatever the reason, he felt he owed her something.


    He wasn''t one to follow convention, but for this, he wanted to do it right.


    He wanted dates that felt romantic, a proposal she would never forget, and a


    wedding that would astonish everyone.


    He envisioned blessings from loved


    ones maybe


    even a honeymoon


    baby letting the child witness most passionate love imaginable. The thought alone stirred him.


    Gianna and Pepper escorted Adrian back to the Malone Residence. As soon as they


    entered the foyer, a maid rushed forward.


    "Mr. Malone, Mr. Zane has arrived_"


    Before she could finish, Gianna''s eyes lit up.


    "Wait, who did you say? Zane''s here? He must be here for me!" she squealed,


    certain he hade for her.


    She didn''t even remove her shoes, darting straight into the living room.


    There he was: tall, familiar, reclining on the couch.


    Zane wore a long ck trench coat, lounging against the cream leather. The elegant decor could not diminish the intensity he radiated. When his gaze met Gianna''s, it was sharp and dark enough tomand


    the light. Her surprised smile faltered without her realizing it.