The Billionaire's Heir I Never Knew Was Mine

”Sienna, with you, I feel like I’m in a different world from my dramatic world that is full of lies.” Zachary continued. ”I feel comfortable around you.”

Sienna found herself staring at him. She could tell he meant every word he spoke.

That realization slowly warmed her chest. Still, she said nothing, simply waiting for him to continue.

Zachary’s hand tightened slightly around hers.

”Since then, I started thinking and wanted to know more about who you were.” His smile returned. ”And then you stubbornly refused to leave my mind. That’s why I believe you’re the one for me, and I can’t wait to marry you and spend the rest of my life together.”

Sienna’s breath caught in her chest.

His confession was so honest that it took her a moment longer to find the right words to respond.

”...Zach. Perhaps it’s because you concealed who you are. That’s why I feel comfortable talking to you openly.”

”Well, maybe.” He nodded. Agree with her. ”That probably helped.”

Then he smiled.

”But even so, I still felt comfortable around you.”

His thumb gently brushed her hand again.

”And the most important thing...”

He paused once more. This time, his eyes softened completely.

”...That little boy likes you, too.”

Sienna immediately looked up. A genuine smile appeared on her lips.

”Skylar...?” she asked softly.

Zachary nodded.

”Skylar has an introverted personality. He is aloof and difficult to get along with around new people. Even within our family, he’s selective about who he talks to.”

His smile widened slightly before he continued, ”But around you, he changed not long after meeting you.”

The warmth inside Sienna’s heart grew stronger.

Almost instantly, memories of Skylar filled her mind: His serious little face, his kind personality. The way he unexpectedly attached himself to her and had completely stolen her heart without even trying.

Sienna remembered the first day she met Skylar... the little boy had brought happiness into her life ever since. His presence had quietly slipped into her world and settled there without permission.

Somehow, every smile, every conversation, and every moment spent with him had slowly chipped away at the walls she had spent years building around herself.

Unfortunately, Skylar’s presence had also awakened memories she had tried very hard to bury.

Memories she rarely allowed herself to revisit.

The sadness and pain she had hidden deep inside her heart slowly surfaced once again, bringing with them emotions she didn’t want to feel. Especially not tonight.

Not when she had just accepted Zachary’s proposal.

Not when she was happier than she had been in years.

Quickly, she pushed those thoughts aside before they could grow stronger.

Then she turned her gaze toward the large window beside the sofa and focused on the city lights glowing against the night sky.

Unfortunately, she was too late because Zachary noticed the brief change in her expression almost immediately.

”Sienna, what are you thinking about?”

His voice pulled her back to the present.

Sienna took a moment to compose herself before turning to face him again. ”Thinking about him...” she admitted. ”...Skylar, I miss him.”

The worry that had briefly appeared in Zachary’s eyes vanished almost instantly. Then a smile slowly spread across his face.

”Do you want me to bring him here tomorrow to keep you company?”

Sienna didn’t even realize she was nodding before he finished speaking.

”Yes. Please...” She said. Her eyes brightened immediately. ”I’ll be bored staying at home alone. If he’s here, my day will be much more fun.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Zachary let out a deep sigh. Not a happy sigh but a dramatic sigh. The kind of sigh that immediately made her suspicious.

Sienna blinked. ”Why do you look unhappy?”

He stared into her eyes. ”Why am I suddenly afraid that little boy is going to steal you from me?”

For a second, Sienna simply stared at him. Then she burst out laughing.

”Mr. Sterling, are you jealous of your own son?”

”Absolutely not.”

His answer came much too quickly. In fact, it came so quickly that it sounded incredibly unconvincing.

Sienna laughed even harder.

She honestly never thought she would live long enough to see Zachary Sterling looking jealous. It was strangely adorable.

”Oh, you’re definitely jealous.”

”I am not.”

”You are.”

Zachary shook his head and smiled in defeat.

Sienna grinned victoriously. For once, she felt like she had won an argument against him.

To ease his wounded pride, she gently squeezed his hand.

”You can stay with us if you want.”

Zachary’s face softened immediately. His fingers wrapped around hers. Not tightly enough to hurt her. But, just enough to remind her that he liked holding her hand.

”I wish I could spend the entire day with you,” he said, ”But I need to take care of something tomorrow.”

The disappointment in his voice was obvious. As if he genuinely hated the fact that he had responsibilities waiting for him.

Then he added, ”I’ll bring Sky here in the morning.”

His thumb brushed across her knuckles.

”And I’ll come back in the afternoon to pick him up.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

”Then I’ll spend the evening with you.”

”Hmm.” Sienna nodded. ”That sounds like a good plan...”

Their conversation naturally continued from there.

Then somehow—

They started talking about tomorrow’s plan, wedding preparations, and Skylar.

When they started talking about Skylar, they couldn’t help but laugh as they guessed what kind of food Skylar would suggest for the wedding.

The easy conversation made the hours pass far too quickly.

Before either of them realized it, the night had grown late.

Eventually, Zachary glanced at the clock, and his expression instantly stiffened.

He clearly didn’t want to leave. Still, he slowly and hesitantly stood from the sofa.

A second later, he unexpectedly pulled her into his arms.

The sudden hug startled Sienna, but within a second, his familiar warmth enveloped her, easing her tension. Gradually, she leaned her head against his sturdy chest.

”Alright, I need to go now.”

Reluctantly, he pulled back enough to look at her. His gaze remained fixed on hers.

”...before I change my mind and spend the night with you.”