Cassian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting Liam's tiny bowtie with careful fingers. The little boy squirmed, clearly more interested in his juice box than in looking sharp for "Donuts with Dads" day at school.
"Hold still," Cassian said with a half-smile.
"Why do I have to wear this?" Liam asked, frowning.
Cassian knelt to his level. "Because you're the coolest kid in the room today, and I need to make sure everyone knows it."
Liam giggled. "You're wearing a suit too."
"I'm always wearing a suit," Cassian muttered, but ruffled his son's hair affectionately.
When they arrived at the school, Raina was already there, volunteering. She froze for a second when she saw Cassian walk in holding Liam's hand — so effortlessly, like he'd done it a hundred times before.
Other parents turned. Whispers followed.
Cassian Drake, billionaire CEO, in a room full of juice spills and crayons.
Raina caught up to him. "You didn't tell me you were coming."
"I didn't want to make it a thing," he said. "But I promised him."
She looked at Liam, whose face practically glowed with pride as he showed off his dad to his friends.
"You kept your word," she said softly.
"I plan to keep all of them," Cassian replied, eyes never leaving Liam.
Later, after the event, they walked together toward the car. Liam had fallen asleep in the backseat with frosting on his cheek and a paper crown on his head.
"You were good with them," Raina said.
"I was terrified," he admitted. "But he smiled. That's all I needed."
There was a long pause between them.
"He's growing up fast," Raina whispered.
Cassian looked at her, the weight of all the lost time heavy in his chest. "I want to be there. Every day. I don't want weekends. I want mornings. Bedtimes. Questions about homework. Even tantrums."
Her eyes welled up. "It's not that simple, Cassian."
"I know. But I'm not leaving again. I want to move forward — not just with Liam, but with you."
She inhaled slowly. "We can't pretend the past didn't happen."
"I'm not asking to erase it. I'm asking for a future that makes the pain worth it."
That night, Cassian stayed late. Not as a guest, but as a man slowly finding his place again.
He read Liam a bedtime story — stumbling through voices, making them both laugh — then tucked him in with a kiss to his forehead.
In the living room, Raina sat curled up on the couch, tea in her hands. Cassian joined her, close but careful.
"I don't deserve forgiveness this easily," he said.
"It's not easy," Raina replied. "But seeing you now… maybe it's worth trying."
He turned to her, quiet. "May I stay?"
She nodded.
That night, as Liam slept peacefully in the next room, Cassian and Raina sat side by side, saying little. But the silence wasn't empty — it was healing.