CHAPTER TWENTY–FOUR
LIANA’S POV
+25 BONUS
As soon as my stepmom left the room, I sat back on the bed and released a huge sigh of relief. My heart was pounding hard
in my chest. She was already starting to suspect. I could see it in her eyes. The way she looked at Ryan, her gaze wasn’t just warm or surprised. It was as if she was studying him, piecing things together.
And honestly, it didn’t take much.
Ryan looked so much like Killian. Too much. The same deep eyes. The same sharp chin. Even the same way he frowned when he was confused. It was glaring, and no matter how much I tried to deny it or pretend, it was clear. Anyone who looked closely would see it.
I laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. My mind was running wild, trying to think of ways to brush it off if she asked. She hadn’t said anything directly, but from the look of things, she was getting serious about it.
I stayed upstairs for a bit longer, trying to calm my nerves. Then I finally decided to take a quick bath. I didn’t come with any extra clothes, so I slipped back into the same blue blouse and jeans Killian had bought for me earlier. I didn’t care.
When I came downstairs, I could hear voices and laughter from the dining room. Ryan’s laughter.
I stepped in quietly and saw them all gathered around the table. Ryan sat between Killian and my stepmom, talking excitedly with his hands waving around Killian was helping his mother dish out some food, and for a second, it looked… normal. Like we were a real family.
“And then Miss Clara said I drew the best rocket in the class,” Ryan was saying proudly, his little hands moving excitedly. ” She said my colors were really nice, and she put my picture on the board!”
“Wow,” Mother said with a warm smile. “That’s amazing, sweetheart. Your teacher must really like you.”
“She does!” Ryan nodded. “She says I’m always polite and very smart. One time she even told me I could teacher or maybe even a pilot.”
Killian chuckled. “With your brain, you could be all three.”
Ryan beamed. “Thanks, Mr. Killian.”
Mother smiled as she scooped rice onto Ryan’s plate. “Your teacher taught you well. Polite and confident.”
Then Ryan paused for a second, looking thoughtful. “Grandma, is Mr. Killian Mommy’s brother?”
My breath caught.
Killian’s spoon paused mid–air. Mother blinked, glancing at him, then at me.
This
a scientist or a
Ryan continued, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Because if he’s Mommy’s brother, then he’s my uncle, right?”
Mother gave a slow nod. “Well… yes, technically that’s how it works.”
Ryan looked at her, then tilted his head. “But that’s not what Mommy said.”
Killian stiffened slightly but kept setting the plates. My stepmom looked curious. “Oh? What did Mommy say?”
Ryan nodded seriously. “She said Mr. Killian isn’t my uncle. But he’s her brother! So he’s supposed to be my uncle, right? I told her, but she said it’s…“–he frowned, trying to remember-“compli… complika… complicated?”
I froze where I stood, my heart racing.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Killian turned quickly and handed Ryan a spoon. “Here you go, buddy. Want to help stir the rice?”
Ryan took the spoon but kept talking, barely paying attention. “But it’s not complicated, Uncle Killian! It’s simple! My friends all have uncles who are their mommy’s brothers. So I asked my teacher again today, just to be sure. And she said yes! That
your mom’s brother is your uncle.”
My stepmom paused, the ladle still in her hand. Her eyes were on Ryan. Watching. Listening.
Ryan kept going. “So I think Mommy just didn’t know. Maybe she forgot. Or maybe she’s… dumb.”
My mouth dropped open.
“Ryan!” I said quickly, rushing to him and covering his mouth gently with my hand.
Ryan looked apologetic instantly. “I didn’t mean dumb like bad dumb. Just like… not smart about uncles.”
Killian chuckled under his breath while reaching to pour water into glasses.
“Don’t say that. Mommy just meant it’s a little tricky sometimes.”
But Ryan pulled my hand away with a frown. “No, Mommy, it’s not tricky. It’s so easy! Look, let me show you. Today, Miss Clara drew the family tree. I’ll draw it too. There’s you,“–he held up one hand-“and then your brother, Mr. Killian, is here. And then me! And Grandma is up here. So Mr. Killian is my…”
“Ryan,” Killian said, his voice quiet but firm. “Why don’t we eat first? You can draw for us later.”
Ryan blinked. “But it’s quick! It’s not hard. I just want Mommy to understand.”
My stepmom was staring at both of us now. Her eyes flicked from Ryan to Killian, then to me.
I gave a tight smile and ruffled Ryan’s hair. “Alright, baby. Later. Okay? Mommy understands.”
He looked a little unsure but nodded. “Okay. But I still think I should help you. You don’t know
“Sweetheart, maybe let’s talk about something else now, okay?”
“But, Mommy-”
it
right.
”
N
16
“Shhh,” I smiled through clenched teeth. “Let’s just eat now.”
He pouted a little, then nodded. “Okay. But I’m gonna show you the family tree later. I remember how to you and Grandma, and then Uncle Killian is under you, and then me.”
Killian cleared his throat and sat beside him. “How about you draw it after dinner, champ?”
“Okay!” Ryan grinned. “But it’s still so easy. Mommy just doesn’t know it yet.”
Mother turned back to her food quietly. Her face was calm, but her eyes held a storm.
The rest of dinner was quieter. Ryan leaned into his plate and began to eat, finally distracted.
- it. It
But I could feel mother’s gaze on me the entire time. I didn’t need to look at her to know what she was thinking.
It wasn’t going to be easy hiding this anymore.
