My Accidental Billionaire Husband (Katia and Julian) novel Chapter 8

A Storm

-Katia~

The smell of garlic butter and lemon had barely faded from our plates when Aiden reached for another piece of calamari, his little fingers expertly bypassing the lemon slice and going straight for the crunch. He sat beside me, legs swinging off the velvet booth, wearing his little grey sweater with his name embroidered over the chest. His curls bounced each time he turned to flash me another proud grin, mouth full and happy.

I couldn’t stop watching him.

We’d only been back in New York for three days, and already he was adjusting better than I was. That was the magic of children –they didn’t carry the weight of history. They lived in the now. They smiled easier. Loved faster. Forgot pain before it had time

to scar.

I was sipping my espresso, soaking in this calm, when I heard the unmistakable voice behind me.

“Katia?”

I froze.

I hadn’t heard that voice in six years, but it hadn’t changed. Still slightly high, still trying too hard to sound effortless. I turned slowly and saw my sister Delia.

She stood a few feet from our table, flanked by two girls I didn’t recognize, both dressed like they hadn’t expected to bump into real power today. Delia, on the other hand, looked polished in a glossy beige coat and Louboutin heels that matched her lip gloss. But her face… that was different. She looked stunned. And emotional. Her mouth hung open like she couldn’t quite believe I was real, so I stood.

The moment stretched as we stared at each other across the white linen tablecloth. Then I stepped around the table and hugged her tightly, and her body shook.

“You left,” she whispered. “You didn’t even call. Do you have any idea what that did to Dad?”

My arms held her a second longer. My voice was calm. “I’m here now.”

When we pulled apart, her eyes flicked down to Aiden, who was watching us with curious eyes, still chewing.

“Mommy,” he asked, voice soft but clear, “who is this?”

Delia blinked, then bent toward him, eyes wide.

“Katia,” she said, her voice shaky, “is this my nephew?”

I smiled. “Aiden, this is your aunt. Delia.”

He gave her that sweet, polite smile I’d taught him. “Good day, aunty.”

Her hand flew to her chest like she’d been winded. “Oh my God,” she breathed. “I’m an aunt.” She turned to her friends, already fumbling with her phone. “Look at him, he’s so beautiful.”

“Aiden,” I said, half amused, “she’s going to take your picture now. Be nice.”

He grinned and posed like a little gentleman. Delia snapped three before her phone even refocused.

“Where are you staying?” she asked, standing again, eyes scanning me as if to put together the pieces.

“I just got back a few days ago,” I answered, sliding my hand over Aiden’s curls. “We’re still settling in.

Her face fell for a second. “I can’t believe you’re back and didn’t tell me.

I didn’t reply to that. Some things didn’t need answers. She knew how the story went down. We both did.

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