Chapter 35

NATHAN’s POV

It was break-fast time at our family house.

I took a seat at the table, surrounded instantly by the smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the savory scent of bacon.

Breakfast was so much more fun to me now than it had been during those lonely mornings back in New Zealand.

Those days when I would sit alone, staring at an empty chair and longing for the warmth of family.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of Maddie moving gracefully around the table, serving scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit with her usual quiet efficiency.

Across from me, Isabella stirred her tea absentmindedly, her eyes distant.

Dad sat at the head of the table, flipping through the morning newspaper. On his right and left sides were Mom and Owen, respectively, setting their plate covers apart.

After a few seconds, I started to feel Dad’s attention shifting to me as he lowered the paper, setting it beside his plate.

“I was meaning to ask, son, how’s the government contract coming along?”