When Dante came to pick the babies, the first thing he noticed was Lucien smiling, while little Sable was giggling at something Alina had just said. The sight tugged at him strangely, and for a moment, he simply stood there in silence, watching the light in their expressions.
Alina startled when she realized he had appeared without a sound.
"Thank you for taking care of them. I'm here to take them back," Dante said, his deep voice calm but carrying a faint curve of a smile as his eyes met hers.
"No problem, sir. They were obedient and sweet," Alina replied with a gentle smile, her gaze flickering toward the two boys who instantly lowered their heads, shy under her praise.
Dante's lips curved slightly, a rare warmth flashing in his eyes. "Please… don't call me 'sir' when we're outside of the workplace," he said evenly.
"Okay, sir," she answered without thinking.
He narrowed his eyes at her, the glare sharp enough to make her laugh.
