Dad is Back.

Jerry and I sat on the living room couch, engrossed in a mobile game. Jerry, ever the game enthusiast, had started his own gaming business after deciding that the family's corporate world wasn't for him. He'd always been the one to pick me up from school, and over the years, he'd become my favorite brother. His easygoing nature and knack for making everything fun had a way of brightening even the dullest days.

"No, no, you have to tap faster!" Jerry instructed, his eyes glued to the screen as he guided me through the game. "You're going to lose if you don't keep up!"

I laughed, my fingers frantically tapping the screen. "I'm trying! This game is harder than it looks!"

Before Jerry could respond, the front door opened, and Dad walked in. He looked tired but happy, his suit slightly rumpled from what I assumed had been a long day—or week, rather. I hadn't seen him in days, and the sight of him made me jump up from the couch, abandoning the game mid-level.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, running over to him and throwing my arms around his waist. "I missed you!"

Dad chuckled, his arms wrapping around me in a warm hug. "I missed you too, baby. How's my little girl been?"

"Good!" I said, pulling back to look up at him. "Jerry's been teaching me how to play this new game. It's really fun, but I'm not very good at it yet."

Dad smiled, ruffling my hair. "Well, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. You're a Bendilani, after all. We don't give up easily."

Jerry grinned from the couch, holding up his phone. "She's getting better, Dad. Give her a few more days, and she'll be beating me."

Dad laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Just then, the front door opened again, and Mark, Anushka, and Jacqueline walked in, their voices filling the house with energy. Mark was carrying a briefcase in one hand and Anushka's hand in the other, while Jacqueline trailed behind them, scrolling through her phone.

"Hey, Dad," Mark greeted, his tone casual but warm. "Good to see you."

"Welcome back, son," Dad replied, his smile widening as he looked at the three of them. "And Anushka, Jacqueline—good to see you both."

Anushka smiled politely, her cheeks slightly pink as she nodded. "Good evening, Mr. Bendilani."

Jacqueline, on the other hand, walked over and gave Dad a quick hug. "Hey, Dad. How was your trip?"

"Productive," Dad replied, his tone satisfied. "But I'm glad to be home. Nothing beats being with family."

The evening passed quickly, and soon we were all gathered around the dining table for dinner. The atmosphere was lively as always, though the absence of Monica and Emily was noticeable. Still, the table was filled with laughter and chatter as we passed dishes around and shared stories from the day.

As we ate, Jerry leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, Mark," he began, his tone casual but teasing, "I saw that article about you and Anushka. Care to explain?"

Mark froze for a moment, his fork halfway to his mouth, before setting it down and sighing. "Yeah, about that. It's been… a thing."

Anushka's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and she looked down at her plate, clearly uncomfortable. Mark reached over and placed a reassuring hand on hers, his expression calm but firm.

"A journalist ambushed us during the VoltTech photoshoot," Mark explained, his tone steady. "He wrote an article speculating about our relationship. It's been a bit of a mess, but we're handling it."

Dad raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "And is it true? Are you two… dating?"

Mark glanced at Anushka, his gaze soft but determined. "Yeah," he said simply. "We are."

The table fell silent for a moment, the weight of Mark's words sinking in. I looked between Mark and Anushka, my heart swelling with happiness. This was what I'd always wanted—for Mark to finally see what was right in front of him. Anushka was perfect for him, and it was about time he realized it.

Jacqueline broke the silence, her tone playful. "Well, it's about time. I was starting to think you'd never figure it out, big bro."

Mark shot her a look, but there was no real annoyance in his expression. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, J."

Dad chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I have to say, I'm not surprised. You two have always had a special connection. I'm happy for you both."

Anushka's cheeks were still pink, but she smiled, her gaze meeting Dad's. "Thank you, Mr. Bendilani. That means a lot."

Jerry leaned forward, his grin widening. "So, does this mean we're going to start calling you 'Mrs. Bendilani' anytime soon?"

Anushka's eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. "Jerry, please."

Mark laughed, his hand still resting on Anushka's. "Don't scare her off, Jerry. We're taking things one step at a time."

I couldn't help but smile as I watched them, my heart full. This was the family I loved—loud, chaotic, and full of love. And as much as things changed, some things stayed the same. Mark and Anushka were finally together, and that was all that mattered.

As the conversation shifted to other topics, I found myself glancing at Mark and Anushka every now and then, my smile never fading. This was the beginning of something beautiful, and I couldn't wait to see where it would lead.