ch 3

The gates opened slowly.

No sound. No tension.

Just quiet movement, like the house already knew I was coming.

The car rolled forward over a clean stone path, surrounded by a garden that looked carefully maintained but not artificial.

I watched it through the window without realizing I was holding my breath slightly.

This place doesn’t feel like I expected.

That thought came before I could stop it.

The car stopped.

The driver opened the door.

“Mr. Cross,” he said politely.

I paused for a second.

Then stepped out.

The air outside felt softer than the city.

Not warm.

Just… calm.

And that calmness felt unfamiliar.

I adjusted my cardigan slightly and walked toward the entrance.

The doors were already open.

Inside, warmth came first.

Not heat.

But feeling.

Soft lighting. Wooden textures. A faint smell of tea and something sweet lingering in the background.

It didn’t feel like a place built for power.

It felt like a home.

A maid greeted me gently.

“Please come in, sir.”

Not stiff.

Not formal.

Just polite.

I nodded once and stepped inside.

The living room was spacious.

And they were already there.

Mr. Vale stood near the couch, relaxed, one hand in his pocket. His expression was easy, almost welcoming.

Beside him stood Mrs. Vale.

She smiled the moment she saw me.

Warm.

Natural.

Like I wasn’t entering an arrangement.

Just a home.

“So you’re Sebastian,” Mrs. Vale said gently.

I hesitated for a moment.

“…Yes, ma’am.”

Her smile softened.

“That sounds too formal in this house,” she said lightly, almost teasing.

Mr. Vale let out a small laugh.

“He’ll adjust,” he said casually. “Give him time.”

Mrs. Vale glanced at him immediately.

“Don’t scare him on day one.”

“I’m not scaring him,” Mr. Vale replied. “I’m preparing him for Theo.”

That name—

Theo

Something tightened slightly in my chest.

Footsteps came from the side.

I turned.

Theo entered.

No announcement.

No attention.

Just presence.

Steady. Quiet. Controlled.

He walked in with calm steps, hands relaxed at his sides, expression unchanged.

Not cold.

Not warm.

Just… him.

He stopped a few steps away.

His eyes met mine briefly.

Then stayed.

“Sebastian.”

My name sounded even.

Neutral.

Controlled.

I nodded slightly.

“Theo.”

A pause.

Not uncomfortable.

Just still.

Mr. Vale leaned back slightly.

“There he is,” he said, glancing at Theo. “Our emotionally optimized child.”

Mrs. Vale immediately sighed.

" Edward…”

“What?” he said innocently. “It’s accurate.”

Theo didn’t react.

Not even a blink of annoyance.

Just calm stillness.

Mr. Vale pointed lightly toward him.

“Don’t expect expressions, Sebastian. He doesn’t waste energy on them.”

Mrs. Vale corrected softly,

“He was always a quiet child.”

Theo spoke then.

“…I still am.”

Same tone.

Same control.

No rise. No drop.

Just fact.

Mr. Vale chuckled.

“You see? Even disagreement comes with zero facial effort.”

I didn’t respond.

Because I still didn’t know what I was supposed to feel here.

Mrs. Vale guided me to sit.

A cup of tea was placed in front of me.

Warm.

Steaming slightly.

I held it carefully.

The warmth spread into my fingers.

“You don’t need to be nervous,” Mrs. Vale said gently.

“I’m not nervous,” I said automatically.

Mr. Vale hummed.

“Everyone says that before they sit in this house for the first time.”

Mrs. Vale gave him a look.

“Stop teasing him.”

“I’m not teasing,” he replied. “I’m observing.”

Silence settled again.

Not heavy.

Just natural.

And I sat there realizing something slowly.

This wasn’t my house.

There was no pressure in the air.

No tension behind words.

No hidden sharpness in silence.

It was… easy.

Too easy.

And Theo sitting across from me—

was the only thing I still couldn’t decode.

Not because he was cold.

Not because he was warm.

But because he didn’t try to be anything other than exactly what he was.

And somehow—

that unsettled me more than anything else in the room.

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