But from the direction of the massive chef’s kitchen — rarely used — came metallic clanging… and bright, uncontrollable giggles.
Curious, Alexander followed the sound. The sterile scent of expensive lavender cleaner slowly gave way to something warm and rich — vanilla, melted butter, sugar.
Home.
He stopped in the doorway.
The pristine kitchen looked like joyful chaos. Flour dusted the floor. Eggshells cracked across the granite counter. Milk had spilled and dried in streaks.
And in the center of it all stood his sons — barefoot on the island counter, wearing oversized aprons, chocolate smeared across their cheeks.
Beside them was Emily Carter, the new housekeeper they had hired just a month earlier.
She wasn’t stiff or timid the way she acted around Camille. Her blonde hair had slipped loose from its clip, flour brushed across her nose as she laughed.
“Careful — pancake tower collapsing!” she teased, catching a lopsided pancake midair.
The boys clung to her legs with complete trust, laughing harder than Alexander had ever seen them laugh.
“The secret ingredient is dinosaur sprinkles and extra love!” Emily announced, tickling them.
Something tightened painfully in Alexander’s chest.