He didn't respond, just turned to watch Leo, who was now making his dinosaurs fight an epic battle across the living room floor.
"Dinner's ready," I called to Leo, plating the food.
Leo scrambled up and climbed into his booster seat at the small table. Cassian hesitated, then sat in the chair across from him—toolarge for the space, looking completely out of place in my domestic chaos.
I set plates down, including one for Cassian with a regular fork. Leo immediately dug in, getting cheese sauce on his chin within seconds.
"Use your napkin, baby," I reminded gently, sitting beside him.
Cassian picked at his food, but mostly watched Leo eat with single-minded determination.
"Mr. Cassian," Leo said suddenly, looking up. "Like din'saurs?"
"I… don't know much about them," Cassian admitted.
Leo's eyes widened in horror. "No din'saurs?"
"No."
"Me sad." Leo took another bite of mac and cheese. "Teach you. Rex is T-rex. He da king. But Steg-rus has best tail."
"I see." Cassian's lips twitched. "What about Triceratops?"
"Okay. No beat T-rex." Leo demonstrated with his hands. "T-rex wins."
"Every time?"
"Ev’ry time," Leo confirmed solemnly.
I watched them, my heart twisting. This should have been normal. Dinner with both his parents. But instead, it was this strange, painful first meeting between a father and son who should have known each other from the beginning.
After dinner, Leo tugged on Cassian's hand—the first time he'd voluntarily touched him.
"Come see!"
Cassian looked at me for permission. I nodded, following as Leo led him down the short hallway to his small bedroom. The walls were painted blue, covered with glow-in-the-dark stars. A bookshelf overflowed with picture books, and toys littered the floor.
"My bed," Leo announced, jumping on it. "And Rex." He pointed to a stuffed dinosaur. "He sleep in my bed."
Cassian stood in the doorway, taking it all in. His son's room. The first time seeing it.
"And my trucks." Leo pulled a bin from under his bed, dumping toy vehicles everywhere. "Like dis one. Garbage truck. See?"
He demonstrated, making engine noises. Cassian crouched down and, to my surprise, picked up another truck.
"What's this one?"
"Dump truck!" Leo grabbed it. "Vroom, vroom!"
They played for twenty minutes, Cassian following Leo's lead, learning the rules of toddler vehicle play. I leaned against the doorframe, watching this surreal scene—Cassian Barone, billionaire CEO, sitting on my son's bedroom floor playing with dump trucks.
At 7:45, I interrupted. "Leo, time to start getting ready for bed."
"Nooo," Leo whined. "Playing!"
"I know, baby, but it's almost bedtime. Say goodnight to Mr. Cassian."
Leo's face fell. "Does he have to go?"
