Chapter 45: And now… he’s rebuilt it. Quietly, piece by piece.

The doorbell echoed through the warm, cozy evening light of the Keller home.

Miles had just stood up from the couch when—”I’ll open it, big brooo!” Hope squealed with excitement, dashing ahead with a burst of energy.

She reached the door, barely able to stretch enough to unlock it. As she pulled it open, her eyes widened.

There stood June.

She wore a soft beige overcoat over a pastel peach blouse tucked neatly into a high-waisted skirt, modest yet elegant. Her heels clicked gently against the steps as she leaned down, a gentle, confident smile on her face. A simple chain adorned her neck, and her straight hair was pinned on one side, framing her face gracefully.

Hope blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Umm… Welcome, sister… I’m Hope,” she said, tilting her head curiously, her pigtails bouncing.

From behind, Asher peeked out, holding onto the edge of the door, blinking with his big round eyes. “Who are you…?” he asked with childlike honesty.

June chuckled warmly and knelt down in front of them. “I’m June,” she said gently, patting both their heads. “And you two are the cutest people I’ve met all day.”

Then she reached into her bag and pulled out two small, wrapped boxes. “These are for you. I heard there are two special twins living here.”

Hope gasped as she took the box, shaking it lightly. “Ooooh! It rattles! Big brooo! She brought treasure!”

Asher sniffed his box carefully. “Is it food? Please say it’s food.”

Miles approached, shaking his head with an amused grin. “Come on, little ones, don’t stop our guest at the door.”

Asher moved aside and waved dramatically. “Come on in, Big Sister June!”

“Good evening, boss,” June said politely, stepping inside and handing Miles a respectful nod.

“Good evening, June. Make yourself comfortable,” Miles said, gesturing to the living room.

Just then, Elena entered from the kitchen, her apron still on and the aroma of spices trailing behind her. Daniel followed in, wiping his hands from gardening.

June stood respectfully and bowed slightly. “Hello, sir. Hello, ma’am.”

Daniel gave a warm smile. “Hello, dear. Welcome to our home.”

Elena’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the girl. “My, you’re such a pretty young lady! Are you sure you want to be an assistant? You could easily be a model.”

June blushed slightly. “Thank you, aunt… I mean, ma’am… I mean—uh…”

Elena chuckled. “Just ’aunt’ is fine. We don’t do too much formality here.”

June glanced at Miles, who gave a small nod, confirming it. She nodded gratefully. “Okay, Aunt.”

Hope, meanwhile, had taken June’s hand already. “You’re sitting beside me at dinner!”

Asher nodded solemnly. “Yes. That’s the rule now.”

And so, the evening at the Keller house warmed even further with laughter, light, and one more guest seated at the heart of it all.

The aroma drifting from the kitchen grew richer and more mouthwatering by the minute. When Elena finally brought out the dinner, the dining table transformed into a delicious spread of comfort and warmth.

There was a large tray of baked lasagna, its golden top perfectly crisped with bubbling cheese and hints of oregano. Next to it, a bowl of creamy garlic noodles steamed softly, flecked with herbs and finely chopped mushrooms. A plate of roasted vegetables—zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus—sat at the center, dressed lightly in olive oil and cracked pepper. There was also a basket of warm garlic bread, their crusts crisp and the insides soft and buttery.

Hope and Asher had already climbed into their chairs, barely containing their excitement.

“Big brooo! This is the one you like, right?!” Hope squealed, pointing at the lasagna as if discovering treasure.

Asher picked up a fork and dramatically inhaled the scent of the garlic noodles. “This is what heaven smells like.”

Miles laughed as he pulled out a chair for June. “They get theatrical when the food looks this good.”

June sat down, politely murmuring a thank you, her gaze moving across the table. She had dined in many places through business trips with Monica—five-star restaurants, catered meetings—but something about this meal felt profoundly different.

So homey. So real.

There was no polished silver, no designer plates. Just a warm kitchen, soft laughter, and a table that felt like it had stories to tell. She looked at Elena, now sitting beside Daniel, gently wiping a spot off Hope’s cheek, and for a moment, her heart quietly ached in the best way.

So this is what a family dinner feels like.

She smiled softly as she picked up a piece of garlic bread. “Everything looks amazing, Aunt. Did you make all of this?”

Elena nodded, proud. “Of course. I’m glad you like it. Have as much as you want, dear.”

Hope, with her cheeks full of pasta, whispered to June, “Mom makes the best noodles in the world. Better than the restaurant ones!”

Asher held out a piece of garlic bread like an offering. “Try this, big sister. It’s important.”

June accepted it with a small laugh, touched by the twins’ innocent gestures. She glanced toward Miles, who had just started eating, his expression content, and calm.

He grew up without this warmth.

She realized suddenly.

And now… he’s rebuilt it. Quietly, piece by piece.

Dinner continued with light conversation, the occasional clatter of forks, and the comforting murmur of a family sharing space and food. For June, it wasn’t just a meal—it was a memory she knew she’d carry for a long time.

The quiet hum of the kitchen was filled with the gentle rhythm of running water and the soft clinks of dishes. Elena stood at the sink, sleeves rolled, washing up after dinner. Just beside her, June worked diligently with a towel in hand, drying each dish with care.

“You really didn’t have to help, dear,” Elena said with a warm glance.

June offered a small, genuine smile. “I wanted to, Aunt. After such an amazing dinner, it just feels right.”

Elena tilted her head, amused. “Most guests just say thank you and run to the living room.”

June gave a soft chuckle. “I’m not most guests, I guess. Besides… it feels like home here. I haven’t felt that in a long time.”

Elena paused slightly at that, catching the subtle emotion in June’s voice. “You live alone?”

June nodded, her voice quiet. “Yes, since I was young. I… grew up in an orphanage.”

Elena’s hands paused over a plate, her eyes softening. “I see. Well then, you’re welcome here anytime. Family isn’t always blood—it’s who stays.”

June gave a grateful nod, touched.

Meanwhile, in the living room…

The twins were sprawled out on the rug, utterly immersed in a chaotic cartoon on the big screen. Sound effects blasted. Colorful characters bounced and flew across the frame. One of them—a pink raccoon in a superhero cape—crashed into a giant pudding.

Miles sat on the nearby couch, legs crossed, observing the screen like a general analyzing an enemy strategy. His expression was unreadable.

Hope gasped and pointed. “Big brooo, watch this! Commander Fluff’s about to fight the evil Pancake King!”

Miles tilted his head slightly. “…Pancake King.”

Asher jumped. “With syrup fists!”

Miles blinked. He didn’t move. “This… is a war crime.”

Just then, Elena entered, drying her hands with a kitchen towel. “What are you watching, son?”

Miles straightened up immediately, clearing his throat. “Nothing important, just wondering what these two are glued to.”

June followed in, still trying to suppress her laughter. “You were watching like it was a strategy briefing.”

Miles gave her a side-eye. “I was not.”

Hope turned around and beamed. “It’s okay big brooo! Everyone loves Fluff!”

Asher ran up and placed a paper crown made from a napkin onto Miles’s head. “You’re now Commander Fluff’s second-in-command!”

Elena covered her mouth, laughing quietly.

Miles exhaled deeply, patting the paper crown on his head with mock acceptance and said to himself “Great. From General … to Commander Fluff’s sidekick.”

June giggled, finally relaxed in this warm, strange, loving little house.

And in that moment, amidst the cartoon chaos and laughter, the world outside—the wars, the names, the empires—faded. It was just home.

As the night deepened and soft laughter faded into a gentle quiet, the warmth of the Keller home lingered in the air like a comforting blanket. June checked her watch after a long, heartfelt conversation with Elena in the kitchen and a few more giggles watching the twins perform an impromptu dance for Commander Fluff’s cartoon credits.

“I should go now,” June said, rising politely, brushing her skirt lightly as she stood.

Miles stood up too. “I’ll drop you.”

June gently waved her hand. “It’s alright, boss. I can manage—”

But Elena, returning from wiping her hands on a towel, interrupted with a firm but affectionate tone, “Let him drop you, dear. It’s already dark outside. No arguments.”

June glanced at Elena, then at Miles, and gave a small, sheepish nod. “Okay, boss…”

Hope and Asher came running from the living room, tugging gently at June’s hand.

“Big sister June, will you come again?” Hope asked sweetly.

“Please!” Asher added, eyes wide and hopeful.

June knelt and smiled, ruffling their hair. “Of course I will. I promise.”

They waved as Miles and June stepped outside into the quiet evening.

The drive to the penthouse was peaceful, the streets of Star Harbor glowing in soft gold and silver under the streetlamps. Weekend traffic had settled, and the skyline gleamed in the distance.

Neither said much at first, but the silence was comfortable—restful, not awkward.

When they arrived at the penthouse, the security guard at the gate recognized the vehicle and allowed it through instantly.

Miles stepped out and opened the door for June. “Here we are.”

June smiled softly. “Thank you… for everything today, Boss”

Miles gave a half-grin. “Get some rest, June. It’s going to be a long week.”

She nodded. “Goodnight, boss.”

“Goodnight.”

As the doors slid closed behind her, Miles turned back toward the car, the lights of Star Harbor reflected faintly in his eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep