Aliana’s POV

I playfully narrowed my eyes at him. “Oh, so now I’m cooking too much?”

Sandy raised his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying!”

We all laughed, the warmth of family filling the room. It was one of those moments where everything felt perfect—simple, easy, happy.

Just as I was about to take another bite, I heard the sound of keys jingling outside the door, followed by the click of it unlocking. A few seconds later, Freddy stepped inside, his presence commanding yet effortlessly familiar.

His tie was loosened, the top buttons of his shirt undone, and a slight exhaustion in his expression showed he had a long day....