Chapter 43: New development

"Are you two fighting?" Ryan asked, his eyes wide and earnest.

Annie and Damien froze mid-sentence, their faces morphing into forced, toothy grins. It was as if someone had hit a pause button on their argument.

"Oh, no, sweetie," Annie said, her voice smooth but with a hint of a strained note. "We were just talking. You must be tired. It's time to go home now."

Ryan shook his head vigorously. "No! I want to play more with Dad!"

Without waiting for an invitation, Ryan scampered up into Damien's lap and snuggled in as if it were his personal throne. Damien's face lit up with a mixture of surprise and joy as he wrapped his arms around his son.

Annie watched the scene with a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Oh, really? Dad now, is it?" she muttered under her breath, feeling like a third wheel in her own family. She tried to maintain her cool but couldn't help feeling a pang of jealousy. "Well, I guess I'm just the 'talking' parent now."