Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 267: Wants

–Alyssa–

It was already late, yet a warm dinner waited on the long table.

I watched my sister-in-law move gracefully, placing a divided plate in front of Sky on his wooden high chair. She adjusted his napkin, cut his food into small pieces, made sure his water was within reach. He had been eating a lot lately. He was heavy when I carried him—but not fat. Just taller. Healthier. Growing the way children were supposed to.

Too much energy. Too much life.

"How’s school, Aly? Lore?" Livana asked after sitting down, only when she was sure her son and her husband were settled.

A perfect couple in a house that reeked of guns, blood, and secrets.

I exhaled slowly.

"I guess it’s tiring?" she added gently.

"No. It’s fine," I replied. Then I glanced at Lore. "What’s tiring is him making me take notes in every subject."

"Oh." Livana laughed softly. "You don’t have to do that if it isn’t yours. He already knows everything. College is just... for fun. He only needs the certificate."

I glared at Lore.

"So you’re really a genius?" I asked.

"Depends," he said, chewing. "You can call me a prodigy."

I rolled my eyes.

"Nomnom!" Sky chirped, proudly offering a piece of food to his mother.

Just watching him made my chest ache.

"Seeing Sky like this," I blurted, "I kind of want a baby too."

Damon choked. Lore froze mid-bite. Livana burst into laughter.

"What?" I shrugged.

"You’re still young," Damon said. "That’s it—Lore, make sure she never gets a boyfriend."

"Oh, come on!" Lore groaned. "I’m tired. Babysitting her is exhausting."

The word babysitting sank into me like a blade.

Livana laughed. Damon smirked.

"Then you’ll sleep with Sky tonight," Damon decided. "Final."

"That’s fine," I said quietly. "I can practice."

"Bro," Lore said to Damon, half-joking, "we really need to watch her. She might go find a suitable sperm donor."

"I agree," Damon nodded.

"Stop it," I muttered. "It’s just wishful thinking."

I focused on slicing my salmon, mixing it with the sides. My hands were steady. My chest wasn’t.

"If she gets pregnant, the marriage between you two is final," Damon said.

Lore paled.

"No way. I’ll run away."

Run away.

I pressed my lips together. So that’s what I was to him. Something to escape from. Something inconvenient.

"What’s wrong with marrying my sister?" Livana asked, her voice firm.

"It’s not that," Lore replied quickly.

"I know I can’t cook well, or do laundry like a perfect wife—"

"Hey," Lore said, softer. "No one’s perfect. You’re not meant for that."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my gaze sharp.

"You’re meant to be treated like a queen," he said casually. "Just like your sister-in-law."

And that was when it hit me.

He didn’t want someone like me.

I couldn’t cook properly. I only learned the basics from Mom and Chef. Yet he was the first man I ever imagined marrying. Every night, I pictured a future with him—him beside me, his hands, his voice, even the indecent things my heart dared to dream.

He was perfect. Brilliant. Warm. Fun.

I stared at my plate. The food was delicious, but my stomach twisted.

"I’ll go ahead," I said quietly. "I need to check my assignments."

"You’ll sleep with Sky, right?" Damon asked.

I nodded. "Sure."

"I’ll clean him up and bring him to you," Livana said.

"How about dessert?" Lore asked.

"You can have mine," I replied, already standing.

Upstairs, Livana showed me my room. My name was engraved on the door.

Inside, familiar clothes waited. My skincare. Everything prepared.

I filled the bathtub and sank into the warmth.

That was when I finally let myself admit it.

I didn’t just like Lore.

I wanted him.

But to him, I was only a task. Someone to protect. A job.

The water blurred my vision as tears slipped free.

A knock came.

"Wow!" Sky gasped dramatically.

"Hey," Lore’s voice followed. "Dropping off a baby with a bottle."

"I’m in the bathroom," I warned. "Don’t you dare come in."

"Fine. Hurry up."

When I stepped out in my robe, Sky greeted me with kisses.

"I’ll leave him with you," Lore said casually.

And then he left.

Just like that.

I stared at the door long after it closed.

If he could walk away so easily, then my feelings had to stay hidden.

Because he would never choose me.

And I wasn’t strong enough to hear him say it out loud.

–Livana–

"Tada!" I waved a hand toward Lore’s exclusive seat.

"Wow!" His eyes widened like a child’s on a holiday morning. "It’s... it’s perfect."

An ergonomic swivel chair—round, sleek, designed to cradle him in any position he preferred. Cross-legged. Kneeling. Lounging like a king over code. The leather whispered as he tested it, spinning once, twice, as if orbiting his own little galaxy.

He tried everything at once—the mouse he had bookmarked months ago, the keyboard tuned to his fingers, the joystick he pretended he didn’t need but clearly wanted.

"Sweet!" he exclaimed.

I crossed my arms, watching him with quiet satisfaction. Every detail in this Nest had a purpose. Comfort sharpened minds. Beauty sustained loyalty.

"So," I began, lightly, "about Alyssa."

"What about her?" He turned in his chair. "If you and Damon force me to marry her, I swear—I’ll resign."

I tilted my head.

"I am not forcing anyone," I sighed. "Damon was joking. But... you hurt her feelings."

"I did?" He blinked, genuinely confused.

Alyssa liked him. Anyone with eyes could see it. He was probably the only man who had ever treated her without agenda, without fear.

"But I said that—" He stopped. "Well. I’m clueless."

Exactly.

"There’s no need to panic," I said softly. "I’ll explain to her. For now, everything here is under the agents’ control. Go upstairs and sleep."

"Fine," he sighed. Then he grinned. "Tomorrow, I’ll work on another database."

He headed for the elevator, still smiling.

This Nest had two levels. The basement held Damon’s additions—a pantry, a game station, places for breathing. Above it lay the true heart: servers, glowing panels, quiet power humming like veins beneath marble skin.

"Liva," Damon called from the bathroom. "Let’s go?" He grinned at me.

"What did you do there?" I crossed my arms.

"Remember the toiletries that arrived? I organized everything," he said proudly. "Now I understand why Jane loves filling cabinets."

I laughed softly. "Order is beautiful when the space deserves it."

I slipped my arm through his. "Let’s go, love." I lifted my eyes to his, innocent in gesture, dangerous in intent.

He didn’t hesitate. He scooped me up and carried me into the elevator.

We disappeared into our room, into quiet, into warmth—where the world could wait, and for a while, even queens were allowed to rest.

Sleep hovered over me like silk, light and tempting, yet my mind refused to surrender. The house was quiet, breathing in slow rhythms, and I followed that hush toward Alyssa’s room.

I opened the door gently.

Moonlight spilled across the bed where my son was curled against his aunt, a small comet anchored to her warmth. As if summoned by instinct, he stirred. His lashes fluttered, and he pushed himself upright, eyes finding me through the haze.

"Mama."

The word was a spell.

He crawled toward me, clumsy and earnest, and I met him halfway, kissing his cheeks, his brow, the soft crown of his head.

"Do you want milk?" I whispered.

"Mik."

"Alright. Snuggle back to your aunt. I’ll get it."

Obedient as ever, he turned and nestled against Alyssa again. She stirred, eyes half-open.

"Go back to sleep," I murmured. "I’ll fetch his milk."

She nodded faintly.

I almost laughed when Sky patted her head, clumsy and tender, as if coaxing her into dreams the way I did with him.

In his room, I prepared the bottle, the quiet hum of the warmer echoing through the corridor. When I returned, I stopped.

Lore stood outside Alyssa’s door, shoulders slightly hunched, a boy pretending to be a man.

"Hey," I whispered.

He turned, exhaling. "I had a bad dream. I think... my first kills finally caught up with me."

I rested a hand on his shoulder. Beneath his bravado was still a child learning how to carry ghosts.

"It felt natural," he added with a shrug. "That’s what scares me."

"Then sleep in here," I said gently. "Just don’t do anything stupid."

I handed him the bottle. He nodded and slipped inside.

Through the crack of the door, I saw him give Sky the milk. When my son settled, Lore retreated to the sofa. I fetched a blanket and draped it over him.

Sky climbed down, tugged at Lore’s hand.

"Tep~" He pointed to the bed.

"I’m fine here," Lore whispered.

I smiled. "The baby insists."

Inside, Alyssa was already asleep again, her exhaustion soft and unguarded. I kissed her temple and tucked her in. Lore lay on the other side of the bed, and Sky patted him—just as he had patted Alyssa—then pulled the blanket over his chest.

I covered my mouth, stifling a laugh.

He was learning love by imitation.

Back in my room, I checked the feeds from California. Logan had been in the field for a week, cursing me through encrypted messages. Guilt pricked—but I knew his strength. I closed the window and set it aside.

"Livy."

Damon pulled me down onto the bed, laughter in his breath, kisses raining like summer on stone.

For a moment, the world paused. And in that pause, I allowed myself to be only a woman, not a queen.