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They all sat down at the table.
Lucian glanced at Charlie, his tone softer than usual. "We meet again. I never planned for us to meet like this."
Charlie crossed his arms. "Yeah, me neither. So where have you been these past six years? And now you just show up here to say hello?"
Lucian hesitated, but before he could answer, Mirabel cut in sharply. "Charlie, be nice. It's not his fault. He only just found out about you."
Charlie looked away, muttering, "Fine. Let's just eat then."
Mirabel rose from her seat, forcing a smile. "I'll be right back with the food." She excused herself, leaving the three of them alone.
Lucian cleared his throat. "I almost forgot—happy birthday." He placed two wrapped boxes on the table. "I didn't know exactly what you'd like, but… I got you these."
Cherry tore hers open first, her eyes widening. "Wow! I love it, Dad!" She beamed, hugging the gift tightly to her chest.
Lucian's heart swelled. She called me Dad. I'm making progress.
Charlie opened his box more slowly. His eyes lingered on the present before he shut the lid again.
"You don't like it?" Lucian asked cautiously.
Charlie shook his head. "Do I look like I like it? But… it's a present. I'll honor it by not throwing it away."
Lucian's chest tightened. Winning him over won't be easy.
"I'm so sorry," Lucian said quietly. "Sorry for not being there for you, for not spending every day with you, for not even knowing you existed. You were kept a secret from me, from the world. But please… forgive me."
Cherry slid off her chair, rushing into his arms. "Daddy, of course I forgive you. All I want is for us to be a family again."
Lucian hugged her tightly, his throat tightening. "Yes, me too."
He looked over Cherry's shoulder at Charlie.
Charlie met his gaze evenly. "I'm not mad at you. So… I forgive you too. But don't expect me to come hug you. I'm not the hugging type."
Cherry pulled back, returned to her seat, and wiped her eyes just as Mirabel came back with the waitstaff, carrying trays of food. Dishes were laid out across the table before the servants withdrew.
"Alright," Mirabel said gently. "Let's eat."
Charlie's voice cut through the silence. "So… are you two back together now?" His tone was flat, uninterested.
Cherry looked between her parents, eyes full of hope. "Really? Are you going to be together again?"
Lucian turned to Mirabel, waiting for her answer.
Mirabel hesitated, then sighed. "I'm sorry, but… your father and I are both with other people now. He'll always be your dad, he'll always be here for you—but we're not together. We've both found someone else."
Cherry froze. Her spoon slipped from her hand and clattered onto the plate. "I'm sorry… I don't have an appetite anymore." She stood abruptly and started toward the door.
"Cherry, wait—" Mirabel moved to follow, but Lucian's hand caught her wrist.
"I'll talk to her."
Charlie, unmoved, continued eating in silence.
Lucian hurried after Cherry, catching her in the hallway. "Cherry, wait."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
He approached slowly. "Why are you crying?"
"I want you and Mum back together," she whispered, tears streaking down her cheeks.
Lucian's chest ached. He knelt before her, brushing away a tear. "Me too. More than anything. But your mother doesn't want that."
Her lips trembled. "Really?"
"Yes. But if you help me… if you help Daddy win her back, then maybe one day we can all be a family again."
Cherry's tears stopped, replaced by a bright smile. "Yes. I'll help you, Daddy."
"Good girl. But don't tell your mum, alright?"
"I won't."
Lucian pressed a small device into her palm. "Here, keep this. Just call me when your mum leaves or when anything happens. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Let's go back inside."
Cherry nodded, tucking the device safely away.
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Angelica's POV
From the shadows, she smirked, her voice dripping with venom. "Well, well, well. They even have children together. This is going to be interesting."
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