Page 152 of The Chaos She Brings

We had a paternity test done while I was pregnant, but honestly, we didn’t need it. The second I held that baby in my arms, I knew. The dark curls. The sharp eyes. The stubborn little scowl. He’s Kai’s mini-me through and through. If I hadn’t been the one to push him into existence, I might’ve questioned if I was evenrelated.

“Nico! Stop that!” I yell as he smacks me in the head for the fourth time in five minutes. I’ve just sat down after finishing a shift at the restaurant. My old dream of becoming a chef is finally a reality, working in a small startup in Chelsea while studying catering management. I love it, but it’s exhausting, so coming home to be hated by my own child is a little disheartening.

Cue Kai’s entrance. And just like that—Nico’s reign of terror ends.

He stops mid-slap, turns, and toddles toward his father with grabby hands. Kai lifts him up, spinning him through the air before cuddling him close. My heart clenches. Kai is so affectionate with our son, so patient. It kills me a little every time I see it.

He sets Nico down, and our tiny terror takes off running.

Kai sits beside me, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Nate texted. Cleanup duty tonight.”

Nate and Carina don’t want kids. No interest. So, they’re still out there, knee-deep in bloodlust, living their best lives.

I sigh. “Need help?”

He shakes his head. “Someone’s gotta watch Nico.”

I pout. “How about you stay, and I help Nate?”

Kai laughs. “Stop acting like our son is the devil. He’s perfect.”

I grumble, crossing my arms. “He is. But he also hates me.”

Kai tilts his head. “Not possible, Hurricane.”

“Daddy!”

Nico barrels back into the room, launching himself into Kai’s lap.

And just like that, I’m chopped liver again.

The doorbell rings, and I groan. “If that’s another person here to tell me Nico is an angel, I’m moving out.”

Kai chuckles, getting up to answer. “You say that like we don’t all know you’d die without him.”

I throw a pillow at his retreating back.

There’s a pause, then a familiar voice fills the hallway.

“You didn’t tell me my grandson is a demon, Tessa.”

I freeze.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Kai steps aside as Max strides into the living room likehe owns the place. He looks as effortlessly powerful as ever, dressed in an expensive suit, silver threading through his dark hair.

Enzo follows behind him, Izzy, his wife, tucked against his side. She’s a tiny blonde with a feisty attitude—perfect for him.

Over the past few years, Enzo’s taken over our father’s role in their organisation. Which means Max spends more time here, getting to know me.

Nico, of course, decides this is the moment to be the world’s most well-behaved child. He waddles over to Max and raises his arms.

“Grampa!”

Max’s face softens as he lifts him up.

I’m not quite ready to call him "Dad"—especially after thirty years of not knowing he existed. Butgrandpa? That’s starting to feel more real.