After all, who could be stupid enough to let themselves get scammed by their own father?
CHAPTER THREE
ASH
“Iget why Henny did it—he’s a fucking menace. But why the hell didn’tyoutell me?”
A thud came from somewhere off-screen, followed by a sharp wail.
Oliver glanced over his shoulder, half rising from his chair. “Need a hand?”
I narrowed my eyes. “No, you’re not giving a hand. You’re explaining yourself.”
He sighed, turning back toward the camera. “Henny asked me not to.”
We stared at each other for a beat.
“I’m sorry,” I said, tilting my head. “I was waiting for you to discard that blatant lie and come up with a real answer.”
Charlotte swept through the background, juggling a crying Liam and what looked like a half-empty jar of marinara. Amelia clung to her pant leg, while Julia—their nanny—trailed close behind, carrying paper towels and looking defeated.
“I’m good, we’re good! There’s just sauce everywhere,” Charlotte said breathlessly, flashing me a frazzled smile. “Hi, Ash!”
“Hi, Charlie,” I said, raising a brow at Liam’s tomato-covered face. “I’m guessing Amelia’s the artist?”
Charlotte laughed, a little too high-pitched. “Talk to your brother!” She disappeared out of frame with both kids in tow.
I leaned closer to the camera. “You heard the boss. Spill.”
He sighed, slumping back in his chair without quite meeting my eyes. “Maybe I thought the surprise would be… nice.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “A nice shock to my system, you mean.”
He tried for innocence and failed miserably. “Aren’t you happy to see him? It’s Ethan, Ash. I thought you’d be over the moon.”
“Of course I’m happy.” My voice was softer than I meant it to be. “But he’s living here now, and how the hell am I supposed to keep my distance for two more years while he’s in the same city?”
Oliver blinked. “Why would you?”
“You know why.”
He dragged a hand over his face, thumb pressing into his temple. “You’re being ridiculous.”
I barked a dry laugh. “Weren’t you the one who applauded my restraint four years ago? Told me how admirable my selflessness was?”
His mouth twitched, the faintest grimace. “Yes, okay. But plans change, Ash. Sometimes you’ve just got to ride the wave of chaos.” He waved behind himself, where chaos was clearly thriving—laundry draped over chairs, toys littering the floor, and a toddler meltdown brewing somewhere in the background.
That wasn’t like him. “Is everything alright?”
He exhaled slowly, eyes flicking to the hallway. “We’re fine. Amelia’s just… going through something. She’s—” His lips pressed into a thin line. “Willful.”
“I’ll say,” I muttered, smirking.
“She’s three. It’s a hard age. I’m sure she’ll grow out of it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Liam’s sick, so he’s crying nonstop. And Charlotte’s Wonder Woman-ing her way through it. We haven’t slept in days.” He looked exhausted; his voice had that hollow edge that came from running on fumes. “Or years.”
“What you two need is a vacation.”
Oliver snorted. Also not like him. “Vacation? I need four hours of uninterrupted sleep so I can get through the Core meeting tomorrow.” His eyes were shadowed, and the stubble he usually kept neat had grown into the beginnings of a beard.
