Sera’s POV
Cassian came back inside a few minutes later, the phone call written all over his face.
His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight, but the moment Aria spotted him, something in him softened instantly.
“Daddy!” she chirped, twisting around on the rug.
He dropped onto the floor beside her without hesitation, long legs folding awkwardly as he leaned in to watch the cartoon like it was the most important thing in the world. She scooted closer, pressing her side against his, already explaining the plot in dramatic detail.
I watched from the kitchen doorway, my chest doing that slow, painful squeeze again.
He fit there too easily.
Like he’d always belonged.
“Okay,” I called softly, setting plates down on the island. “Food’s ready.”
Cassian glanced up. “Hear that, peanut? Fuel b
