Chapter 10: Uninvited Company
627 Words
Lena was lost in her own little world, her arms wrapped securely around Ellie as she studied.
Ellie, sitting on Lena’s lap, continued playing with the buttons of her shirt, her tiny fingers fumbling with them. She giggled each time she failed to secure the button, her frustration turning into laughter.
Lena couldn’t help but smile at her. “Baby, are you trying to fix my shirt or unbutton it?”
Ellie huffed. “It won’t stay closed!”
Lena chuckled, pressing a kiss to Ellie’s forehead. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Ellie pouted but nodded, leaning her head against Lena’s chest.
The warm atmosphere was suddenly disturbed by the sound of approaching footsteps.
Lena looked up, and her smile immediately faded.
Damian walked into the dining area, his presence commanding even though he wasn’t speaking.
Dressed in his usual sharp suit, he looked completely out of place in the cozy atmosphere Lena and Ellie had created.
Without saying a word, he pulled out a chair across from Lena and sat down.
He placed his laptop on the table and opened it, his fingers swiftly moving across the keyboard.
Lena frowned.
What is he doing here?
Damian rarely spent time in common areas like this. He was always locked up in his office or in his room, buried in his work.
So why now?
Lena chose to ignore him, focusing back on her studies while Ellie continued to snuggle against her.
For a while, there was only silence.
Only the sound of Damian typing and the occasional scribbling of Lena’s pen could be heard.
Ellie peeked at him from Lena’s arms.
She stuck her tongue out at him.
Damian caught her reflection in his laptop screen and sighed. “Ellie.”
Ellie gasped and quickly hid her face in Lena’s chest.
Lena smirked, amused.
Damian didn’t look up from his laptop as he spoke again. “What are you two doing?”
Lena raised an eyebrow. “What does it look like? I’m studying, and your daughter is being adorable.”
Damian glanced at Ellie, who was still clinging to Lena like a baby koala.
His expression softened—just for a second.
Then he looked back at his laptop. “Ellie, sit properly. You’re going to distract her.”
Lena tightened her grip around Ellie. “She’s fine.”
Damian looked up, his sharp eyes meeting Lena’s. “She’s clinging to you like you’re her mother.”
Lena didn’t hesitate. “Maybe that’s because she needs someone who actually acts like one.”
Damian’s fingers paused on the keyboard.
Lena could see his jaw tighten.
Ellie peeked up at him again, her tiny voice breaking the tension. “But Daddy, I like being with Lena.”
Damian sighed, rubbing his temple. “You’re going to get too attached.”
Ellie blinked innocently. “Too late!”
Lena stifled a laugh. Smart kid.
Damian closed his laptop.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Lena.”
His voice was lower now, more serious.
Lena looked at him, unimpressed. “What?”
He hesitated. “I… appreciate you taking care of Ellie.”
Lena was caught off guard.
Did he just… thank her?
Ellie gasped dramatically. “Daddy, are you sick?”
Damian shot her a look. “I’m being polite.”
Lena smirked. “Wow, didn’t know you had that in you.”
Damian exhaled sharply. “Don’t push it.”
Lena just smiled and went back to her studies, her arms still wrapped around Ellie.
And even though Damian stayed quiet after that, he didn’t leave.
He just sat there, working, as if being around them wasn’t so bad after all.
end of the chapter
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- Writer
