âFamily matters? Whatâs the latest family drama?â Charlesâ voice resonated through the phone Damien chuckled, balancing the phone between his ear and shoulder as he skillfully chopped vegetables. âNothing too exciting, just preparing some food for my father-in-law and the gang, keeping myself occupied.â
Charles, on the other end, spluttered. âYou⦠youâre cooking?â he stammered. âSince when? But you told me you couldnât even boil water when I asked you to make dinner forMacve!â
Damien flashed a teasing grin. âNope, wife-only policy, just like your sister-only rule with cooking. You have hands and feet, buddy, so cook for your own lady.â
He ended the call before Charles could respond.
On the other end, Charles stared at his phone, mouth agape. So Damien wasnât helpless in the kitchen.
He was just pretending! Because Charles, with his perfectly capable hands and feet, should be cooking for his wife, Maeve. Damien might love his sister, but family ties didnât extend to the kitchen in his world, apparently!
âWhat did Dame say?â Maeve asked, concern furrowing her brow as she saw Charlesâs frown. She gently patted the little girl cradled in her arms.
âHe said weâll talk later, heâs busy.â Charles turned to Maeve, frustration evident in his voice.
He continued, âYou wonât believe what heâs âbusyâ with! Heâs actually preparing a feast for Cherise and Beckham! The same guy who refused to cook me a simple pasta dish! I guess love triumphs over friendship for Damien, huh?â
Maeve leaned back, a smile playing on her lips. She gently patted her sleeping daughter with one hand and looked up at Charles with raised eyebrows. âIsnât that a good thing?â
Charlesâs eyebrows shot up. âGood? You consider catering to Cheriseâs every whim good?â
âHeâs finally showing some warmth, isnât he? Remember when you first met Dame? You told me he was distant, cold towards the world, and destined to be alone. Now look at him, preparing gourmet meals for his lady love.â
Maeve sighed, a wave of relief washing over her. âHe has always been this cold, reserved guy.
Although I wasnât around much then, Grandpa always nagged about Dameâs personality, saying making friends for him would be like climbing Mount Everest in flip- flops. But then Cherry came along and brought normalcy into Dameâs life. And now that theyâre back together, that warmth, that kindness is shining through Isnât thatsomething to be happy about?â
Charles feit betrayed when even Macve spoke up for Damien.
âForget it,â he mumbled, but doubt gnawed at him. Could he really be overreacting?
He gave Maeve a helpless look. âBut heâs making dinner for Cherise and her dad, then turns around and gives me a hard time about pasta! Arenât you even slightly annoyed?â
Maeve met his gaze, her smile gentle. âAnnoyed? Not at all. I have you. My brother cooks for his wife.
You cook for me. Itâs all good, right?â
She winked. âSpeaking of food, is it ready? Iâm famished!â
Charles blinked, momentarily speechless. Then he chuckled. âYes, love. Itâs ready.â
Meanwhile, Damien placed the final dish on the table, his eyes drawn to Beckham patiently styling Cheriseâs hair. He had crafted two thick braids that perfectly mirrored Serafinaâs with surprising accuracy.
Despite being twenty-five and all grown up, Cheriseâs youthful face somehow appeared even younger with those braids, transforming her into a high school student once again.