Zoey’s grip on the iPad tightened just a little.

’Who is she?’ The question replayed in her mind. ’Earlier, Sky called her Aunty Sienna...’

That alone was enough to raise several questions in her mind. She slowly turned her head to look at Skylar.

"Sky," Zoey suddenly said with curiosity, "where is this? When did you go there? And who exactly is Aunty Sienna?"

She paused briefly before adding, "How many times have you met her? Has she ever come to your house? Is she your daddy’s girlfriend?"

Skylar’s eyebrows slowly furrowed in confusion. He was clearly overwhelmed by the barrage of questions thrown at him all within a few seconds.

For a moment, he simply stared at her, his expression thoughtful, as if trying to decide how much he should say. Or perhaps, whether he should say anything at all.

However, seeing the hopeful look on his aunt’s face, he finally answered. "I told you, she is Aunty Sienna..." His tone was calm, though slightly guarded. "I took this picture at our villa, The Pine Mountains."

He paused, blinked a few times, then asked suspiciously, "Aunty Zoey, why do you ask so many questions?"

Zoey was surprised because she detected a protective and defensive look in her nephew’s eyes.

She quickly cleared her throat, forcing a light laugh, though it sounded just a little too stiff to be natural.

"Hahaha... your aunt is just curious," she said, waving her hand casually as if it meant nothing. "I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman sitting beside your daddy before... that’s why I’m curious."

The tension in Skylar’s expression softened almost immediately. His eyes brightened again, and just like that, the defensive look disappeared from his face.

"Ooo... I thought you didn’t like my Aunty Sienna."

Zoey chuckled softly, saying, "Of course I like her... she is pretty."

"Yes. Yes. My Aunty Sienna is really pretty," he said, his voice filled with simple, honest admiration. "She is also very good at cooking."

His excitement was growing as he continued, "Everything she makes is super tasty. She cooked for us all weekend and made tons of delicious, sweet desserts for me. She also makes me tasty sushi. I really like her..."

Zoey was utterly stunned.

Her gaze drifted briefly back to the iPad in her hands. Her thoughts were already forming so many suspicious questions.

’A beautiful woman stayed over a couple of nights at the villa?’

’She even followed them on their camping trip?’

’She cooked for them and spent time with both father and son.’

’And most importantly...She made Zachary look at her with a gaze I had never ever seen before. Their gaze was so intense, yet tender. Could that gaze be a signal that my poor brother was falling in love with this woman... Sienna?!’

Her lips curved slightly.

’Wow! This is huge news! So Sienna stayed with them over the weekend. She must be Zach’s new girlfriend... right?’

Zoey leaned back casually.

’Well, I need to confirm this with Zach...’

Without Zoey realizing it, the subtle change in her expression didn’t go unnoticed. Skylar, who had been watching her closely—perhaps out of curiosity, perhaps out of instinct—tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting together in quiet confusion.

"Aunty," he said, his childlike voice soft but serious, "why are you smiling while looking at that photo? Is there something funny about it?"

The question caught her off guard. For a brief second, Zoey paused.

Then—

"Hahaha—" She let out an awkward laugh, far louder than necessary, her hand waving lightly in the air as if trying to brush the moment away. "No, no, dear. Of course not. I just... remembered something funny at the office."

Her tone was light, trying to distract him from asking further. And thankfully, Skylar didn’t press further.

His expression slowly relaxed, the curiosity fading as quickly as it had appeared. He nodded once, accepting her answer with the quiet trust of a child who had no reason to doubt her.

"Okay," he murmured.

Taking the iPad back from her hands, Skylar returned to his previous activity, his small fingers once again moving across the screen with careful focus.

The room fell into a comfortable silence.

Zoey watched him for a moment, her earlier thoughts still lingering in the back of her mind like an unfinished story.

Then she glanced around the room.

"Sky," she spoke again, her tone more casual, "why are you here alone? Where’s your daddy?"

Skylar didn’t look up this time.

"Aunty, did you forget?" he replied, his voice calm, almost matter-of-fact. "Daddy works at this hour."

Zoey let out a soft chuckle, nodding to herself.

"Oh, right. He’s busy working in his office," she said, a hint of amusement slipping into her voice. She could see the way her nephew spoke. The way he carried himself. That quiet seriousness. He really was just like Zachary.

Except, this little man looks smaller, softer, and undeniably adorable. Unlike her twin brother, who had perfected the art of looking intimidating even while doing absolutely nothing.

Zoey shook her head lightly, smiling to herself.

She was about to excuse herself when Skylar spoke again. This time, he finally looked up at her, his expression thoughtful, almost too mature for his age.

"Aunty, why are you here?"

Zoey raised an eyebrow slightly. "Excuse me...?!"

"Don’t adults usually work during the day?" he continued, tilting his head. "Like my daddy... and Aunt Sienna?"

For a brief moment, Zoey only looked at him. Then, slowly, a small smile formed on her lips.

"Well," she began, her voice softer now, "I came to visit your granny. She just came back from the hospital, remember?"

Skylar nodded.

"Later, after meeting your granny..." Zoey added, standing up from the sofa, smoothing her clothes slightly, "I will go to my office."

As she passed him, she reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

"Aunty..." He protested, leaning away, trying to avoid her hand, but it was too late. His neatly styled hair was already ruined.

He sighed. Then he looked up at her with a silent protest in his eyes.

Zoey laughed.

"See you later, Little Sky," she said playfully, completely ignoring his protest stare as she turned and walked down the hallway.