The Billionaire's Heir I Never Knew Was Mine novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Reveal His Identity

Zachary hesitated again, though this time it was more subtle. The answer was simple. Too simple, in fact.

But saying it out loud felt like opening a door his mind was telling him he wasn’t ready to open.

Just as he was considering how much to reveal, Sienna looked up again, her light gray eyes meeting his.

She blinked once, then twice as if reminding him that she was still waiting.

"I am working in the financial sector," he replied at last, keeping his tone even to hide his hesitation. Then, almost immediately and without a second thought, he smoothly shifted the focus away from himself. "How is your family doing? Is everything okay?"

Success! The change in her gaze was instant. It was subtle, but it was there.

The light in her eyes dimmed just slightly, and the ease in her posture tightened, as if an invisible weight had suddenly settled on her shoulders.

Zachary noticed.

Of course he did. But he didn’t interrupt. He didn’t push. He simply watched and waited.

Sienna lowered her gaze briefly, as if buying herself time. After a few more seconds had passed, she lifted her head again, her expression already composed.

"Hmm, everything’s fine," she said, equally even. It was a lie. Not a good one. Not a convincing one. But it was a practiced one.

Zachary didn’t call her out on it. He simply nodded, as if he believed her, allowing the moment to pass without pressure.

Inside, however, his thoughts lingered. Something was wrong. That much was obvious. But whatever it was... she wasn’t ready to share it.

And strangely, he didn’t feel the need to force her.

The rest of the meal passed in a quieter rhythm.

They finished their dessert, both occasionally drifting into their own thoughts, the earlier lightness softening into something more reflective.

Then, without warning, Zachary spoke again.

"I’m glad to hear that," he said.

Sienna looked up, slightly surprised by his sudden voice.

And then he added, almost casually, "Sienna, if someday they give you a hard time, don’t hesitate to tell me."

The words were simple.

But they landed with unexpected weight.

For a second, Sienna just stared at him.

Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she wasn’t sure whether she had heard him correctly.

"...Tell you?" she repeated.

"Yes."

"And then what?" she asked, a faint hint of humor returning to her tone. "You’ll solve all my family problems?"

Zachary didn’t smile. But there was something steady in his gaze when he answered. "If needed."

For a brief moment, Sienna didn’t know whether to laugh or feel... something else.

’What kind of answer is that?’ she thought. ’Is he serious? Or is this some kind of rich-man confidence I don’t understand?’

She let out a small breath, shaking her head lightly.

"You sound very confident," she said, her tone half-teasing, half-curious.

Zachary didn’t deny it. "I usually am."

She stared at him for another second... then let out a soft, helpless laugh.

"Alright," she said, lifting her hands slightly in surrender. "I’ll remember that. Just in case my life turns into a disaster."

Zach’s gaze lingered on her, quiet and unreadable.

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