Page 164 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“You know what I mean.”

Before I can answer, my phone lights up on the counter with Emma’s name.

Maya glances at it.

“Speaking of the other member of the surveillance team.”

I answer and put the phone on speaker.

“Hey.”

“Tell Theo I’m running late,” Emma says over the sound of movement in the background.

“One of my discharge plans exploded at 4:30, and apparently everyone remembered I exist at the same time.”

“You’re still coming?”

“If I escape this building before midnight.”

Maya leans toward the phone.

“Your nephew has already informed us that your hospital computers are terrible.”

There is a pause.

Then Emma says, “I’m going to stop discussing work in front of him.”

“That would be wise,” I tell her.

From the dining table, Theo calls, “Aunt Emma, are you coming for dinner?”

Emma’s voice softens immediately.

“I’m trying, buddy.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll text your mom when I leave.”

“Okay.”

I take the phone off speaker as Emma says goodbye, then set it back on the counter. Maya watches me for a moment before glancing toward Theo again.

“You know, for someone who came out here planning to stay with her sister for a few months, you’ve built yourself a pretty crowded little life.”

I follow her gaze. Theo is bent over his worksheet, one hand curled around a pencil, his hair falling over his forehead.

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I have.”

Maya nudges my coffee toward me.

“Then drink that before it melts. Tomorrow’s mysterious meeting can ruin your morning when it gets here.”

I smile and take another sip while Theo calls from the table to ask whether spelling words count as homework if he already knows how to spell them.

By 9PM, the house has settled into its nighttime rhythm. Theo is freshly showered and tucked beneath the navy comforter on his bed, one arm curled around the stuffed bear he insists he is too old to need but still refuses to move from his pillow. His pulley project sits on the dresser now, repaired enough to satisfy him for the night. I sit on the edge of the mattress and smooth the blanket over his legs.

“Did you put your spelling sheet back in your backpack?” I ask.