"Papa!"
Elisa's breath caught in her throat as Nix stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind him with a quiet click.
"What exactly did you mean by that?" he asked, his tone low but laced with curiosity and something darker.
Nix's gaze stayed fixed on Elisa for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. The question still hung between them like fog a thick, pressing, and awkwardly intimate.
"What exactly did you mean by that?" he repeated, taking a step closer.
Elisa blinked fast, forcing a soft laugh to mask her racing heart. "Oh, that?" she said, trying to sound casual as she adjusted the baby's blanket. "I was just saying she has your… uh, calm expression. You know, like you both have that same look of mystery that keeps people guessing."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly unconvinced. But Nyxella, oblivious to the tension, reached toward him with both hands, babbling something incoherent.
