Kas wasn't there. Zeke had messaged him earlier while they were still in the mall, sending him to Brightcanon Hotel to pick up food.
As the guards arrived and began lifting the items out of the truck, Zeke stayed silent, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the building.
He wasn't used to this – family, responsibility, softness.
But something about that little girl calling him "Daddy"...
He shook it off.
She was still young and didn't understand all this. She has really wanted a father figure.
And yet... her voice still echoed in his head.
Daddy, let's go.
He clenched his jaw.
This was going to be more complicated than he thought.
Sydney began arranging her room as the last item was brought into the apartment. It was quiet, save for the sound of rustling cardboard.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Michaela said softly, rubbing her stomach.
Sydney dropped the folded blanket in her hands and turned. "Oh, my baby," she said, brushing a hand across Mick's curls. "Let's get you something to eat."
She took her daughter's hand and led her out of the room toward the kitchen. But as they reached the entrance, she paused, staring at the bare counters. It hit her: no utensils, no pots, nothing to cook with.
She sighed. "Mommy can't cook now. We will have to go out and eat."
Just then, the front door opened. Zeke walked in carrying several bags of food.
"There is no need for that," he said. "I already got food." He overheard them.
Sydney blinked. "When did you go out?"
Zeke didn't answer the question. "Does it matter? The important thing is that lunch and dinner are sorted."
He placed the bags on the dining table, neatly unwrapping them. The aroma of fresh meals filled the air instantly.
The logo on the insulated containers didn't escape Sydney's notice, Brightcanon Hotel. Not a cheap place by any means.
"This must have cost a lot," she said, watching him.
Zeke didn't respond. His face was neutral, unreadable.
Still, Sydney washed some of the new plates and cutlery and set the table. They ate quietly. Michaela, as usual, chatted in between bites, but Zeke and Sydney barely exchanged words.
After lunch, Zeke excused himself and disappeared into his room. He didn't re-emerge until dinnertime.
Michaela had fallen asleep by then. Sydney laid her down gently and returned to organising the apartment. She spent the entire weekend unpacking and turning the empty space into something that resembled a home.
Monday Morning
Zeke woke up at seven. He was about to ask Sydney what time Michaela had to be at school, but when he stepped out of his room, he was met with an unexpected scene.
The table was already set with breakfast. Michaela was dressed and finishing a glass of juice, her little legs swinging beneath the chair.
The smell of eggs, toast, and something warm and spiced filled the air. The items they ordered were delivered the next day.
"Breakfast is ready," Sydney said without looking up as she flipped something on the stove.
Zeke frowned slightly. When did she wake up?
"Daddy!" Michaela grinned, her cheeks puffed with bread.
Zeke walked over, ruffling her hair gently. "How are you, princess?"
"I'm fine!" she chirped.
He usually only ate at Brightcanon Hotel or his family's estate, where the chefs were five-star rated and the plates came garnished with necessary flourishes. But looking at Sydney's effort, the quiet care she had taken, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
He sat down silently and ate.
The food was good. Surprisingly good.
Not just edible, but comforting. Homemade. Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest, but he pushed it aside.
"I will drop you both off," he said after a moment. "Wait for me."
"You—" Sydney started to protest but stopped herself. There was something in his expression that made her pause.
A minute later, he came out of his room dressed in a sharp suit and a silk tie, his presence commanding the space like always. She couldn't help but glance at him twice. Cold face, yes. But damn… he looked good.
She said nothing.
They got into the car and joined the morning rush-hour traffic. Michaela sat at the back singing one of her school songs, entirely unbothered by the crawling pace of the ride.
Zeke pulled up in front of the school and shifted the gear into park.
"We are here," he said.
"Yeeeh!" Michaela squealed in delight.
Sydney got out and circled to help her down.
Zeke leaned back and held up a palm. "High five," he said to Mick.
Giggling, she smacked his hand. "Bye, Daddy!"
Sydney carried her down, watching as Michaela waved all the way to the gate before disappearing inside.
Zeke stared after her for a long moment.
"She's really something," he said under his breath.
Sydney looked at him. "She is."
They stood in silence for a beat.
"Thank you", she added, her voice quiet.
Zeke didn't say anything.
But the look in his eyes said enough.
Sydney got back into the car and shut the door gently behind her. Zeke started the engine, and they drove off in silence, the hum of traffic filling the space between them.
Then Zeke spoke.
"You should pay for a school bus to pick up and drop off Michaela every day."
Sydney glanced at him, her brows slightly raised. "I'm already paying so much for her school fees," she said. "I think I can manage the drop-offs and pickups."
"I will pay for it."
She turned toward him more fully, surprised. "I can't let you do that. You are already doing a lot for us."
"I'm not doing it for you," Zeke replied, his voice calm but firm. "It's for Michaela."
Sydney fell silent. She couldn't argue with that, not because she agreed, but because she understood. Michaela was the reason she married him, and now, he was doing everything for Michaela too.
Somehow, the little girl was already pulling the two adults closer together without even trying.
Zeke added, "Send your account details to me later. You can make the payment when you pick her up."
"Okay…" Sydney said quietly, reluctant but without a better response.