The CEO’S Unplanned Heir novel (Aurelia and Leopold) novel Chapter 1194

It was their secret code, a playful ritual between William and his pet parakeet, Chirpy. Whenever he called out the name thrice, Chirpy would cheerfully repeat it back to him.

With a curious tilt of its head, Chirpy eyed William and let out a series of chuckles, mimicking human laughter and thinking it was all part of their game.

Spreading its wings, Chirpy perched upon William's shoulder. "Kane, Kane, Kane," it chirped affectionately.

"Good bird," William said, stroking its chin, Chirpy's favorite spot, before rewarding it with a small treat.

Chirpy nuzzled William's cheek with its little head, a gesture of pure joy.

Even though William had donned a mask earlier, Chirpy had quickly recognized him by his voice, not his face. That was how the clever bird distinguished people.

William's older brother, Kane, picked up on the secret code and addressed Chirpy, "Chirpy, I'm William, I'm William, I'm William."

Chirpy burst into another fit of giggles and sang back, "William, William, William," flying over to land in front of Kane.

Kane gave a thumbs-up. "You're awesome, Chirpy." And he too handed it a little treat.

Chirpy, head held high, started to hop around in a little dance, chirping, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are..." Chirpy loved to play games.

From the corner of the room, Leopold observed the scene with deep eyes that shimmered mysteriously under the light.

Skyler was watching too. He noticed how Chirpy affectionately rubbed its head against ‘Kane’, an intimate act it reserved only for William, Angel, and Arnold, recognizing them as its owners. Chirpy didn't show the same affection to others.

Today, though, Chirpy was getting cozy with Kane but not with William, which was quite peculiar.

Had Kane been signaling something by repeating his name?

When Chirpy finished its little song, Skyler decided to test the waters, saying, "Chirpy, I'm Optimus Prime, I'm Optimus Prime, I'm Optimus Prime."

Chirpy approached him, "Optimus Prime, Optimus Prime, Optimus Prime."

Seizing the moment, William and Kane darted into the bathroom.

"Jesus, that was close," William whispered. "Good thing Mom has quickly distracted Uncle Leopold, or we'd have been busted."

"I think Skyler is onto us. He's got your secret figured out. He's a psychologist, and it's tough to get anything past him," Kane replied.

"We'll have to deal with them later," William sighed.

In the adjoining room, Leopold gently touched Aurelia's slightly bulging abdomen. "Does it hurt a lot? Should I call the doctor?"

She shook her head, replying, "No, lying down for a bit should help."

Leopold sat by her side, gazing at her intently, "Honey, didn't we agree to always be open with each other? No more secrets, right?"