House husband

(JARED'S POV)

It was another perfect day for a professional house husband.

I stretched, feeling refreshed as I swung my legs off the bed. Habit had me glancing at the other side where Maverick usually curled up, but it was empty.

Right. He'd been sleeping with Arielle these past few nights. Ever since those nightmares started, he hadn't left her side.

I sighed to myself. I'd grown used to his small frame tucked beside me, his soft breaths lulling me back to sleep whenever I woke during the night.

Another thing that'd feel even more natural? Waking up to both him and his mother next to me.

That thought earned a self-deprecating chuckle as I shuffled into my flip-flops. A man could dream, sure, but I knew better than to hope for the impossible—at least for now.

Slipping my legs into my flip-flops, I began my routine for the day. Brushing my teeth and splashing water on my face, I headed to the kitchen to get started on breakfast.

Cooking was something I'd gotten better at recently. I resorted to YouTube videos and stuck to less complex meals.

Cracking eggs into a bowl, I whisked them together, added a sprinkle of cheese, and seasoned them just right. The sizzle of the skillet filled the quiet house, and the smell of frying eggs and golden chips soon wafted through the air. I couldn't help but smile. If nothing else, my cooking would drag Maverick and Arielle out of bed in no time.

I was right. Just as I plated the omelets and chips, Maverick bounded into the kitchen, backpack already slung over one shoulder.

"Hmm, it smells so good in here!" he said, flaring his nostrils dramatically. "Morning, Daddy!"

"Morning, buddy," I said with a laugh, ruffling his messy hair.

He peered at the plates, eyes lighting up. "Can I have omelet and chips for breakfast? Please?"

I crouched to his level. "Nice try, but no. Breakfast is cereal; this is for your school lunch."

He sighed, then nodded. "Okay, Daddy."

always. The kid never ceased to

ready for the day in a textured gray tweed suit, black stockings, and modest heels. She looked effortlessly elegant, and I couldn't stop my eyes from lingering a little longer than necessary. "Morning," she said

with more cheer than she probably expected. "Breakfast's

sat down at the table, her eyes scanning

wasn't much, but I'd

him to save time. Once they were done, I watched

the house was quiet

but their absence always left the place feeling...hollow. Like they took part of me with them when they walked

out for a walk. The fresh air helped clear my head, but as the day dragged on, boredom crept

circled back

been warm and fuzzy toward

on me, stark naked but

maybe she was just falling back into her default "Jared is my mortal

sighed for what felt like the millionth time

her.

times to count, and I wasn't foolish enough to

But still, part of me wished she'd let her guard down,

wounds. I hoped

me a kind of peace I hadn't felt in

honestly? I preferred

investigating Maverick's with Mark and Oliver's help, and

containing details about her life abroad during

from the couch. Finally got something to cure

it on, the soft hum filling the silence as I waited for

the email, I leaned back,

read through the

divorce years ago had been anything but ordinary. Her ex-husband's death? Unexplained. No cause. No warning.

chill ran down

past before, and whenever I tried to bring up Sofia's divorce, she always seemed so heartbroken that I backed off. But

wasn't a direct link

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