Chapter 3: Morning routines and new beginnings

The estate was quiet.

Too quiet.

Sunlight hadn’t yet spilled across the marble floors.

Claire had been up for hours.

She moved silently through the halls, phone pressed to her ear, her heels clicking softly.

“Yes. 9 a.m. sharp,” she said, voice firm and calm.

“She must be capable. Absolutely no mistakes.”

A pause.

“Good. Thank you.”

The phone clicked.

Claire hung up, straightening her shoulders.

No one else in the house knew what she had arranged.

Not Ryker. Not Isaak.

The new nurse would arrive soon.

And Ryker had no idea.

Morning sunlight spilled through Isaak’s room windows.

Ryker leaned against the doorframe, watching his son squirm out of his pajamas.

“Okay, little man,” he said, voice low but amused.

“Time to get you dressed.”

Isaak’s tiny hands flailed, tugging at his pajama top.

“Da-da!” he squealed, struggling to pull it over his head.

Ryker’s lips twitched into a faint smile. One blue eye caught the light. The brown one stayed sharp, focused.

“You trying to escape, huh?” Ryker teased, scooping Isaak into his arms.

Isaak giggled.

“Da-da! Up!”

“Up, huh? You’re gonna climb all over me if I’m not careful.”

Ryker set him down carefully, tugging the pajama top over Isaak’s head with exaggerated difficulty.

Isaak laughed, throwing his head back.

“Gotcha!” Ryker said, finally sliding the shirt down.

“You can’t fool me, little man.”

Isaak’s laughter echoed softly through the room.

Ryker pressed a hand to his chest.

Even these small moments mattered.

Even the tiny laughs.

“Alright,” Ryker said, “socks next.”

Isaak swatted at them with tiny fists.

“Stop it! They’re friends,” Ryker joked. “Socks don’t bite.”

Isaak scrunched his nose.

“No! Bite!”

“Not today,” Ryker said, crouching to meet his son’s green eyes.

“Only hugs today.”

Isaak paused, then slowly smiled.

Ryker’s lips twitched. A rare, full smile. Warm. Genuine.

“Pants next,” Ryker said, lifting Isaak carefully.

Isaak wriggled, protesting in toddler language.

“No… pwants!”

“You want to run naked all day?” Ryker teased, light and playful.

Isaak giggled, grabbing Ryker’s shirt.

“Da-da… no! Pants!”

Ryker laughed softly, sliding the tiny legs into pants.

“All done,” he said, brushing Isaak’s hair back gently.

“You look ready for adventure.”

Isaak jumped off the bed.

“A-dven…!”

Ryker caught him mid-step, hugging him close.

“Careful, little man. Adventure starts with safe feet.”

Isaak laughed into Ryker’s chest.

Ryker straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt.

“You know,” he said, “I’ll be working late today.”

Isaak froze, eyes widening.

“But… Leh-lo?” he asked, stumbling over the name.

Ryker smiled faintly.

“Yes. Leh-lo will be with you. He’ll keep you busy while I’m gone.”

Isaak’s face brightened immediately.

“Leh-lo fun?”

“Very fun,” Ryker said.

Isaak nodded, then grabbed Ryker’s hand briefly.

“Da-da… bye?” he asked, voice small.

Ryker crouched to Isaak’s level.

“Not goodbye. Just see you later. I’ll be back soon, alright?”

Isaak smiled, dimples showing.

“Mhm. See… soon!”

Ryker tousled Isaak’s white hair.

“That’s my boy.”

The door creaked softly.

“Morning, little man!”

Leon stepped into the room, hands in his pockets, smiling.

“Leh-lo!” Isaak exclaimed, running straight into his arms.

Ryker watched silently, one blue eye catching the sunlight, the brown one alert and watchful.

“Be good,” Ryker murmured, pressing a quick kiss to the top of Isaak’s head.

Isaak clung to Leon.

“Play!”

Leon chuckled.

“I got you, buddy. Let’s go.”

Ryker bent slightly, lifting Isaak carefully.

“Careful,” he said. Half teasing, half protective.

Isaak wriggled, giggling.

“Da-da… up!”

Ryker smirked, finally handing him over.

“Alright, Leh-lo’s got you.”

Isaak pressed his face into Leon’s chest, already relaxed and excited.

“Ready for a big day?” Leon asked, bouncing him slightly.

Isaak nodded.

“Yesh! Fun!”

Ryker watched them leave.

His chest felt heavy.

Not the ache he tried to ignore.

Something else.

Jealousy. Worry. Pride. Love.

Isaak trusted Leon easily. Loved him.

Ryker… had to let go. At least for the morning.

He glanced at Isaak’s folded pajamas on the bed.

Four nurses had tried. Four had left.

He didn’t care about them. Not yet.

Not with Isaak laughing in Leon’s arms.

Not with the day stretching ahead.

Ryker leaned back against the wall.

One blue eye caught the morning light.

The brown one stayed sharp, watchful.

He allowed himself a small, private sigh.

For now, the house was quiet.

For now, his son was happy. Safe. In good hands.

And that was enough.

Minutes passed.

Ryker’s gaze drifted to the window.

Sunlight streaked across the floorboards.

The day was just beginning.

Somewhere out there, Ryker had no idea, someone new was on her way to the estate.

He didn’t know her name.

He didn’t know why she was coming.

And he certainly didn’t want her showing up.

He pressed his hand to the photograph of Lana and Isaak on Isaak’s nightstand.

“Keep them safe,” he whispered to himself.

He didn’t notice the faint rumble of a car approaching.

He didn’t hear the soft crunch of tires in the driveway.

Because for now…

All he could focus on was the sound of his son’s laughter, the warmth of the morning sunlight, and the quiet before the storm.

Ryker adjusted his shirt and sat on the edge of the bed.

He thought of Claire’s constant worry, of Isaak growing up so quickly, of how fragile life could be.

The memory of Lana crept into his mind.

Her smile. Her laugh.

Isaak’s tiny hands clutched her in old photos.

He pressed his fingers to the frame, tracing her face.

He wished he could see her one more time.

A soft breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the scent of flowers from the garden.

Ryker closed his eyes for a moment, imagining Isaak laughing in the sun, safe, protected.

Even if he couldn’t always protect himself.

Minutes later, Isaak’s laughter echoed faintly from the hall as he and Leon moved toward the front of the estate.

Ryker’s gaze lingered on the empty room, now quiet again.

He didn’t notice the approaching footsteps or the arrival of someone entirely unexpected.

Someone who would change the rhythm of his days.

Someone who would challenge him.

Someone who would be impossible to ignore.

For now… the morning felt safe.

Filled with sunlight, laughter, and the faint smell of baby powder.

Ryker allowed himself to breathe.

For now, that was enough.

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