Page 261 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

Theo does not rush to make the next move. He studies what changed first.

Julian says, “Try it now.”

Theo turns the wheel.

This time, the platform rises smoothly.

Theo’s face changes.

“It worked!”

Julian nods. “It did.”

Theo looks at him with open surprise.

“You are good at this.”

Julian smiles faintly. “You did most of it.”

“I did?”

“You figured out where the problem was.”

Theo looks back at the model as if seeing it differently now. I stay where I am and let them keep talking. For once, neither of them needs me to explain what comes next.

The visit settles into an easy rhythm after they fix the model. Theo stays on the floor for another several minutes, testing the pulley and making small adjustments while Julian watches without taking over. I can see some of the tension leaving Theo’s shoulders, and Julian seems to notice it too.

Eventually, Theo carries the model back to the table and starts gathering the loose pieces into one of his plastic containers. Julian stands and brushes a hand over the front of his trousers, but he does not move toward the door yet.

Theo looks up at him. “Are you coming back?”

Julian stills for a moment before glancing toward me.

I let him answer.

“If you want me to,” Julian says.

Theo thinks about that for a second.

“Okay.”

Julian waits, and Theo adds, “When?”

A faint smile touches Julian’s mouth.

“Tomorrow afternoon, if that works for your mom.”

Theo looks at me.

“Tomorrow works,” I tell him.

Theo turns back toward Julian. “After school?”

“After school,” Julian says.

Theo nods, apparently satisfied with the arrangement, and returns to sorting the pieces in front of him. There is no dramatic reaction and no sudden change in the way he behaves. He simply accepts that Julian will be back tomorrow and moves on to the next thing occupying his attention.

A few minutes later, Theo carries his model toward the family room.