Chapter 70: The Worst Possible Timing 2

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Worst Possible Timing 2

Seraphina stepped into the entryway, carrying a small bag of groceries. Her gaze immediately locked onto the couch, where Felix was pinned down, holding a sleeping baby against his chest.

"Hey, Seraphina," Felix said, his voice tight with a strained, helpless smile.

"Hello, Felix," she said softly. Her eyes drifted from him to Cassian, then to Elara, and finally back to the tiny bundle in his arms.

The pieces quickly clicked together in her mind.

His family.

Cassian stepped forward, offering a courteous nod. "I’m Cassian. His older brother."

"Nice to meet you," Seraphina said, dipping her head respectfully.

"And this little one is his niece," Elara added, closing the door behind them.

Seraphina looked down at the baby. Her expression softened completely, the cool detachment she usually wore around strangers melting away. "She’s so tiny."

"Smallest thing in the world," Felix said, his tone lightening despite the circumstances.

Seraphina glanced between Felix and the sleeping child, a soft, fond look touching her face. Elara, standing just behind her, didn’t miss it for a second.

"Seraphina recently joined our operational team," Felix added quickly, giving the cleanest cover story he could manage.

Elara gave him a knowing look, sensing instantly that there was a lot more to the story, but chose not to press. "It’s wonderful to meet you," she said warmly.

"Thank you," Seraphina replied.

Elara gestured toward the grocery bag. "Were you planning on making something?"

"I wanted to try cooking lunch," Seraphina admitted, a faint, self-conscious pause in her voice.

"You cook?" Elara smiled.

"I’m trying to learn."

"Perfect. Come with me to the kitchen, I’ll give you a hand."

Seraphina looked toward Felix. He gave her a small, encouraging nod, and she followed Elara down the short hall.

Felix watched them disappear around the corner, then slowly turned his head.

Cassian was standing over him, arms crossed, staring down with raised eyebrows.

"No," Felix said flatly.

"I didn’t say a single word."

"You’re screaming it with your face."

"What am I screaming, Felix?"

"She is just a friend."

"Right. Obviously."

"She is!"

"Sure, buddy."

"Cassian, stop looking at me like you just solved a murder."

Cassian laughed quietly. "I’m not judging. I just find it fascinating."

"Nothing about this is fascinating."

"A breathtaking woman comes over to your private apartment on her day off, brings groceries, and wants to cook for you alone."

Cassian patted his shoulder twice. "Completely ordinary friend behavior."

Felix groaned, pressing his free hand against his forehead. "She literally just wanted to practice cooking."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, little brother."

In the kitchen, Elara had already figured out the dynamic.

She stood beside Seraphina at the counter, showing her how to trim and slice the vegetables evenly.

Seraphina worked with extreme care, handling the kitchen knife with the same razor-sharp precision she used for combat.

"So," Elara began casually, rinsing some greens. "You and Felix seem close."

Seraphina’s hand paused for a fraction of a second. "We are."

"How long have you known him?"

"A few months."

"And you’re already comfortable coming over to cook for him."

A faint, subtle pink dusted Seraphina’s cheeks.

"He invited me. He said I could use his kitchen whenever I wanted."

"I see." Elara watched her side profile for a moment, smiling gently. "He’s helped you through a lot, hasn’t he?"

Before Seraphina could think of an answer, Elara added softly, "You can tell just by how you look at him."

Seraphina froze completely, the knife hovering over the cutting board.

Elara laughed quietly, setting a bowl down. "Don’t worry. I’m not teasing you. It’s just nice to see."

"I..." Seraphina started, but the words caught in her throat. She lowered her head and went quietly back to chopping, her face burning.

Elara didn’t push any further. She didn’t need to. Felix had spent years dodging every attempt his family made to set him up, completely shutting down whenever someone brought up romance.

Yet here was a woman standing in his kitchen, blushing at his name, while Felix treated her presence as the most natural thing in the world.

Elara quietly tucked the thought away, smiling to herself as she stirred the broth.

In the living room, the baby squirmed, stretching her little arms before blinking her eyes open. She looked up at Felix and gave another sleepy smile.

"Hey there, sleepyhead," Felix murmured.

"You’ve been saying that for an hour," Cassian said from the armchair.

"She has an adorable wake-up routine."

Just then, Seraphina walked out from the kitchen to grab a small bowl from the cabinet.

She paused near the couch, her gaze dropping to the awake child.

"Oh," she whispered, stepping closer. "She’s up."

Felix looked up at her. "Want to hold her?"

Seraphina hesitated, looking slightly panicked. "Can I?"

"Of course." Felix carefully lifted his niece, guiding her into Seraphina’s arms.

Seraphina stiffened like a board, holding the baby with rigid, careful terror, as if the child were made of fragile glass. "Am I doing it right?"

"Relax your shoulders," Felix instructed gently, reaching up to adjust her elbow. "Support the back of her neck with your hand. Yeah, just like that."

The baby looked up at Seraphina’s bright blue eyes, gurgled happily, and reached out, wrapping a tiny fist around a stray lock of silver hair.

Seraphina went utterly still. "She... she grabbed my hair."

Felix chuckled. "That means she likes you."

Seraphina looked down at the tiny hand clutching her hair.

Her entire life had been defined by cold training halls, lethal lightning, and isolation. She had never known gentle, everyday warmth.

Yet here was this tiny, defenseless baby, trusting her completely, holding onto her without a shred of fear.

A sudden, intense warmth rushed straight through her chest.

One day... with Felix...

The thought hit her out of nowhere like a lightning strike.

Her eyes widened in horror at her own brain.

No! Stop it! Blood rushed to her face, turning her cheeks bright red.

What am I thinking?! Calm down. Don’t rush ahead.

She clamped down on the wild thought, but the feeling remained, stubborn and sweet, settling deep into her ribs.

Felix tilted his head, looking at her with genuine concern. "Are you alright? Your face is completely red."

"I’m fine," she squeaked out, staring stubbornly at the baby. "It’s just warm near the kitchen."

Across the room, Cassian and Elara traded a single, pointed glance.

Elara raised an eyebrow. Cassian bit his lip to keep from laughing out loud.

Oh, this is pure gold, Cassian’s grin said.

Felix, entirely oblivious, just patted his niece’s tiny foot.

Lunch turned out surprisingly well. Under Elara’s guidance, Seraphina had managed to cook the meat and vegetables without burning anything to a crisp.

Sitting around the low table, Felix took the first bite.

Seraphina watched him like an examiner waiting for test results, her hands resting tightly on her knees. "How is it?"

Felix chewed, swallowed, and looked up with an honest smile. "It’s actually really good. Better than my cooking, honestly."

Her violet eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah. The seasoning is great."

A quiet, pleased smile spread across her face. "I’ll make it again next time."

Elara watched the interaction, feeling completely vindicated. Yep. She’s head over heels.

Cassian caught his wife’s eye, shaking his head with an amused smirk. The two of them were having an entire silent conversation, while Felix happily loaded his plate with a second helping, completely blind to the atmosphere.

Once the meal was cleared, Cassian stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright, we should head out before the little one gets fussy."

Elara took their daughter back from Seraphina, who looked almost reluctant to let her go.

At the door, Cassian gave Felix a heavy pat on the back, unable to hide his grin. "Take care, little brother."

"Why do you still have that stupid look on your face?" Felix grumbled.

"No reason. Just happy to see you doing so well." Cassian chuckled, stepping into the hall.

Elara turned back to Seraphina with a warm, genuine smile. "It was lovely meeting you, Seraphina. Keep practicing with that knife work."

"Thank you," Seraphina replied, bowing slightly. "It was nice meeting you both."

Elara then looked at Felix, giving him a sweet, overly innocent wave. "See you soon, Felix."

"Elara, stop smiling like that."

"I don’t know what you mean!" she teased, stepping through the doorway as Cassian pulled the door shut behind them.

CLICK.

Silence settled over the entryway.

Felix stood staring at the wood for five solid seconds before slumping against the frame, letting out a long, agonizing groan.

"I am so screwed," he muttered, burying his face in his hands.

He could already picture it: Cassian calling their mother the second the elevator doors closed.

The barrage of incoming messages. The interrogation. Who is she? Why is she in your house? When do we meet her? Are you dating? Why didn’t you tell us?

"Mom is going to skin me alive," Felix whispered to the ceiling. "Why did they have to visit today of all days?"

Behind him in the living room, Seraphina gathered the empty plates, quietly smiling to herself. She had no idea about the family drama brewing on his phone.

She had cooked for him. She had met the people who mattered to him. And he had welcomed her into his home without a second thought.

To her, today was an absolute victory.