A Family of Three?

Isabella had just dropped her phone when it vibrated again.

She glanced at the screen.

…Alexander.

She let it ring once.

Twice.

Then picked up.

“Hello?”

On the other side, his voice came, calm and steady.

“The matter doesn’t look solved.”

“That’s your opening line?” she muttered, leaning back against the couch.

“…You’re injured.”

On the other end of the line, Alexander stood by the window, his gaze distant.

Julian leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him with interest.

On the couch, a small figure sat quietly, holding a writing board.

Her fingers stilled.

Of course he knew. Video clips were everywhere.

“It’s nothing,” she said lightly. “Just a scratch.”

“You were bleeding.”

“Dramatic exaggeration.”

“Isabella.”

Her name—low, controlled—carried just enough weight to make her pause.

“…It’s already treated,” she added, softer this time.

Julian raised a brow slightly from where he stood.

“…Good,” Alexander said after a moment.

Then, quieter—

“Are you home?”

She shifted slightly, glancing across the living room where Jason was arguing with the TV over a game.

“No.”

Another pause.

“Where are you?”

“At Jason’s.”

A pause.

Not long.

But noticeable.

“…Why?”

“Work… and I have some things to settle here.”

“We’ll be there in five,” he said directly.

She blinked. “…Who’s we—”

Beep. Beep.

He had already hung up.

“How rude,” she muttered under her breath.

Jason looked over the moment she lowered the phone.

“…Who was that?” he asked knowingly.

She dropped the phone onto the table.

“Your uncle.”

Jason went still.

“…What did he want?”

“He’s coming over.”

Silence.

Jason leaned back slowly, running a hand through his hair.

“What?… why?”

Not loud.

Just mildly irritated.

Then he pointed at her, like someone whose plan had just been quietly ruined.

“Isabella… is there really nothing going on between you two? We’re just having a meal—why did you call him over?”

She rolled her eyes, already feeling a headache coming on.

“Calm down. There’s no need for all this. I didn’t call him. He asked where I was, I answered normally, and then he said he was coming over. He probably just wants to check on you as his nephew. So yes—he’s coming to eat. That… seems to be his logic.”

Jason suddenly dropped his chopsticks with a clatter.

“What stupid logic!” he snapped. “Do you think Alexander is the type to casually visit people? You think he wants to eat dinner with me? When my mom invites him, she gets scheduled six months later! Distance is literally his personality!”

He shot her a look.

“…You could’ve said no.”

She shrugged lazily.

“You say no to him.”

Jason immediately looked away.

“…That’s not the point.”

She laughed under her breath.

Right then, the doorbell rang.

Jason stood up, his expression already composed by the time he opened the door.

Alexander stepped in first, calm as ever.

And then...

Saviee.

The moment he saw Isabella, his steps slowed.

Then he walked straight toward her.

Isabella’s expression softened without thinking.

“Hey, baby… you came too?”

He stopped in front of her, lifting his board.

“You didn’t come.”

Then, without hesitation, he raised his arms—asking to be carried.

She sighed softly and picked him up.

“I know. I got caught up. I’m sorry, darling. I’ll do better, I promise.”

She hooked her pinky toward him.

He stared at her arm briefly—

Then wrote again.

“You’re hurt.”

“…It’s nothing,” she said, her voice softer now.

From the side, Jason watched her holding the child, then glanced at Alexander.

Alexander was watching them too.

Quietly.

With something unreadable in his eyes.

For a brief second—

Jason had the strange illusion of a family of three.

He frowned slightly.

He had never expected Isabella to get along with Saviee this well.

Saviee was even harder to approach than his father.

“Looks lively in here,” Julian said as he walked in, holding up two bottles of wine.

Jason stepped aside to let them in, tone casual.

“You didn’t have to come over.”

“It’s nearby,” Alexander replied simply.

Jason clicked his tongue lightly but didn’t argue further.

“Welcome, welcome… to my humble abode, uncles,” he said dryly.

With their arrival, Jason found himself with nothing left to do.

Alexander had already arranged for a Michelin chef to prepare dinner.

Julian brought wine.

And Saviee had completely taken over Isabella.

The five of them sat around the table.

The atmosphere…

Was a little strange.

Thankfully, Julian was there.

So it didn’t become awkward.

He raised his glass.

“Alright—let’s welcome our great star back!”

Jason lifted his glass lazily. “Yeah, welcome back.”

“Thank you,” Isabella replied.

Julian leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting.

“Actually… I’ve been curious.”

Jason didn’t even look up.

“No.”

Julian smiled. “I haven’t even asked yet.”

“You’re about to.”

“Obviously.”

He turned to Isabella.

“How did you and Jason meet?”

Jason’s expression stiffened slightly.

“We met in university overseas. Same batch,” he replied vaguely.

Julian narrowed his eyes.

“I don’t think it’s that simple.”

He leaned back, voice laced with meaning.

“Don’t tell me she’s one of your exes that you chased and tossed aside? The only women in your life—aside from your mother and your fans—are your ex-girlfriends.”

Jason: “…”

This man.

Isabella let out a laugh and gave Julian a thumbs-up.

“You’re smart.”

Julian grinned. “So I’m right?”

“You’re only half right,” Jason muttered darkly.

Julian blinked. “Half?”

“She’s my ex, yes,” Jason said, glaring at Isabella. “But she was the one who chased me… and dumped me.”

Silence.

Even Julian looked stunned.

Alexander, who was quietly cutting steak for Saviee and Isabella, paused—just slightly.

Julian slammed his hands lightly on the table, barely containing his excitement.

“Wait—what? That makes no sense!”

Jason stabbed at his food.

“Ask her if you don’t believe me.”

Isabella sighed, looking mildly helpless.

“That was… an accident.”

Julian leaned forward eagerly.

“What happened? Tell me. Quickly.”

The three of them looked at him like he had lost all dignity.

Jason rolled his eyes.

“Uncle, you’re almost thirty. Is it really appropriate to be this invested in gossip?”

Unbothered, Julian gestured again.

“Well?”

Not wanting to make things awkward, Isabella finally spoke.

“It’s nothing special. A lot of girls liked him back then. I was just one of them. We dated briefly… then I realized he wasn’t what I imagined.”

She shrugged lightly.

“My fantasy collapsed.”

It sounded simple.

Too simple.

Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He didn’t believe it for a second.

Jason’s expression alone said enough.

Tsk.

He would get the real story out of him later.

After a few drinks.