"Are CEOS not human? Do CEOs have to be so busy that they miss every single checkup for their wife and kid? Am I a useless assistant who never works at the office because I'm too busy handling home stuff? And nannies can't do everything, right?" "Why can't you be like other CEOs?" Mia teased, her voice dripping with the sweetness of domestic bliss. Her eyes sparkled with love as she gazed at Andre.

Andre knew exactly what Mia wanted to hear. "Because I love you, and I love him too."

Right there in the parking lot, Mia wrapped her arms around Andre's waist. "Honey, I love you, and I love our little guy too."

Their son squirmed in Andre's arms, making baby noises, eager to join the conversation.

Andre wasn't one to say "I love you" often; he showed it through little everyday actions.

On the rare occasions he did say it, the big boss man was a bit bashful.

Luckily, only his wife and child knew his tender side.

Andre drove off, and behind them, another car slowly rolled down its window. The occupants watched the happy family in the parking lot, a camera zooming in on the tender scene.

As the holiday season approached, everyone was bustling about, buying new clothes, and decking their homes with festive cheer. Mia and Andre planned to head back to Maplewood Estates. "Dad, we're heading out. We haven't even started decorating our place," Mia said, slipping on her boots and calling to Hansen in the living room.

"Where do you think you're going? This is your home; no need for you to decorate."

Sure, Mia could be a handful at times, but the thought of her leaving had Hansen feeling oddly reluctant.

Naomi chimed in, not wanting her daughter-in-law to leave either. "Mia, people head back to their family homes for the holidays. You and Andre all alone in Maplewood Estates? That's no way to spend the season."

Mia retorted, "But we've got our son. He's a one-man party machine."

lay content in his father's arms, too delicate

he could count. Now, he walked on eggshells

usually let you young ones be, but for the holidays, you need to be home." Unable to leave, Mia tried another angle. "Dad, we've still got to

but the baby stays," Hansen declared, effectively taking their son

Henry was spirited away by his

and Hansen's attempt to snatch him resulted in a fresh

been fed?" Hansen glared at his

had strategically passed the spit-up baton to his dad. Hansen glanced at his ungrateful

his son back, gently caressing

Mia and her family stayed at the old house

had warmed up to Andre, but rather because they were all wrapped up

leave, Naomi, Bruce, and Molly all protested, wanting to keep the child close. "Wherever my little nephew spends the holidays, that's where I'll be," Molly declared. Leo, always the voice of reason, simply said, "Go on,

his words hardly carried

stayed at the old

season was upon them, and Mia

Andre passed by the secretary's office at work and overheard the women discussing a trendy new coat

got him thinking about his young wife at home. She was in the prime of youth, yet seemed to have little interest in shopping for new

while their son's clothes piled

doing some shopping?" he asked, as Mia

to, but being a mom doesn't leave much room for shopping sprees. Your son needs his milk, and I need to be with him," Mia replied, fastening the diaper. Andre looked at their "little burden"

puzzled. "What's gotten

didn't feel deprived for not shopping;

saw it differently. He felt Mia was missing out,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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