Gentle Steps

The soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden hue across the marble floor. Lucas was still in his tiny pajamas, curled up like a kitten on the plush rug in the reading nook when Jia knocked gently on the doorframe.

“Lucas?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

He peeked up from behind his storybook, hesitant at first, but the memory of her gentle smile from the night before brought a tiny spark to his eyes.

“I brought breakfast,” Jia said, holding up a tray with buttered toast shaped like stars, scrambled eggs, and a cup of warm milk with a swirl of chocolate. “Chef said these are your favorites.”

Lucas tilted his head, curiosity winning over suspicion. “You remembered?”

“I always remember the important stuff,” Jia smiled, crouching to his level and placing the tray on the little table beside him. “May I join you?”

He gave a small nod and scooted over. She sat beside him cross-legged, letting him eat in peace. He nibbled shyly at first, then took a proper bite. Jia watched him quietly, not pushing, just letting the moment speak for itself.

After a few minutes, Lucas looked up. “Are you really going to stay here?”

“Only if you let me,” she replied gently.

He paused, then offered a small, solemn nod.

A tentative smile tugged at Jia’s lips. “I was thinking… maybe you could show me around today? You know, your favorite places?”

Lucas’s eyes lit up, the food momentarily forgotten. “The koi pond… and the bakery down the hill! They have strawberry puffs.”

“Strawberry puffs?” Jia feigned dramatic shock. “How come no one told me sooner?”

He giggled—soft and honest—and it melted a piece of the quiet wall he had around him.

“Then let’s get ready,” she said, tousling his fluffy hair. “We have a kingdom to explore.”

By the time Jia left the room, Lucas was still beaming from their conversation, swinging his little legs off the bed with barely contained excitement.

The door eased open again—not her this time, but someone equally familiar.

Daniel stepped inside, dressed in a crisp charcoal suit, adjusting the cufflinks on his sleeves. His usual cool expression softened at the sight of his younger brother already dressed and alert.

“You’re up early,” Daniel said, walking over.

Lucas turned with a wide grin. “Danny!”

Daniel bent down, placed a kiss on the boy’s forehead, and brushed a few strands of hair away from his eyes. “What’s got you so energetic today, huh?”

Lucas puffed out his chest proudly. “Jia said she’s taking me to the gardens today! Maybe even the zoo!”

A flicker of surprise crossed Daniel’s face. “Already planning trips, huh?”

Lucas nodded. “She said it’s no fun staying inside all the time. And… she listens.”

Daniel straightened, slipping his watch onto his wrist, but didn’t comment on that. Instead, he ruffled Lucas’s hair one last time.

“Don’t run off too far,” he said, his voice firm but kind. “And stay near her, understood?”

“I promise!”

Daniel smirked faintly. “Good. I’ll see you tonight, then.”

As he turned to leave, Lucas called out, “Danny! Should I take pictures?”

Daniel glanced back. “You’d better.”

Daniel’s car was already waiting at the driveway, his driver bowing slightly as he stepped in. The morning sun cast long shadows over the driveway as they pulled out of the estate.

Once seated, Daniel pulled out his phone. Five missed calls.

All from the same number.

He sighed and put it on silent, but it vibrated again almost immediately. This time, a message popped up on the screen:

> [When are we starting the plan? i already got everyone in place. hurry up~]

Daniel’s jaw clenched.

Another buzz.

> [u said we’d get the signal this week. we’re tired of waiting.]

He exhaled through his nose, unlocking the screen with an irritated swipe.

His reply was curt, cold.

> Daniel: "You'll wait until I say. One more message like that, and you're out."

He deleted the thread immediately.

No one could find out. Not his assistant. Not Madam Han. No one.

He leaned back against the seat, phone flipped upside-down on the leather beside him, staring out the tinted window. His expression was unreadable, jaw tight with tension.

They were getting impatient. But he wasn't done watching.

And Jia...

She was still a puzzle.

Back at the estate, Jia was crouched at the shoe cabinet by the front door, tying Lucas’s tiny sneakers with slow, careful fingers.

“You excited?” she asked without looking up.

Lucas nodded vigorously. “Will the fish be awake?”

“I think so. But we should be quiet. Maybe they’re shy in the morning.”

He giggled again, this time without hesitation, and tugged her hand. “Then let’s go! Before they fall back asleep.”

The koi pond shimmered gently in the late morning sun, the water glistening like scattered gemstones. Lucas knelt by the edge, tossing a few pellets into the water while Jia watched him from the stone bench nearby. The air smelled faintly of wet stone and lilies.

He leaned in, whispering to one of the fish. “This one’s named Mochi,” he declared.

“Mochi, huh?” Jia tilted her head. “Why that name?”

“Because he’s round. Like the rice cakes. Granny says they’re good luck.”

Jia smiled softly. “Then I guess you have a whole pond of good luck.”

They sat there for a while, basking in the quiet. Every now and then, Lucas would glance at her to make sure she was still watching. She always was.

Afterward, they strolled down the sloped path toward the bakery. Lucas swung his arms as he walked, occasionally stopping to point at birds, clouds, or oddly shaped rocks that “looked like jellybeans.” Jia made sure to match his pace.

The bakery door chimed as they stepped in. The warm scent of sugar and fresh bread wrapped around them like a hug. Lucas ran to the counter, already peeking at the glass display.

“Two strawberry puffs, please!” he announced proudly.

The woman behind the counter beamed. “Back again, little sir?”

Jia stepped beside him, fishing out a few bills. “He’s giving me the grand tour today.”

Lucas puffed up proudly. “I’m the guide!”

They sat at a corner table, the pink pastries gleaming on delicate china plates. Lucas took a messy bite, powdered sugar dotting his nose.

“I think you’re the best guide I’ve ever had,” Jia said between sips of tea.

He beamed at her, cheeks puffed full of cream.

After a moment, he asked quietly, “Do you like it here?”

Jia blinked at the sudden question. “You mean the estate?”

He nodded.

She looked out the window for a moment, watching the breeze stir the ivy on the stone walls.

“I think I’m still figuring it out,” she answered honestly. “But being with you makes it a lot easier.”

Lucas didn’t reply right away. He just stared at her with wide, curious eyes.

Then he said, “Sometimes... I think you make the house feel warm again.”

It caught her off guard—simple, innocent, but sincere.

Jia reached across the table and brushed the sugar from his nose. “Then I’ll keep trying.”

Back at the estate, the sun had begun its slow descent, casting a softer glow over the courtyard. Jia helped Lucas out of his sweater as they entered through the back gate, laughter still trailing behind them from a joke

he’d told about “a squirrel who stole someone's glasses.”

As they approached the main hall, the soft murmur of birdsong gave way to the elegant tapping of heels on polished stone. Madam Han appeared at the end of the corridor, dressed in a graceful navy cheongsam with silver embroidery at the cuffs.

Her eyes landed on them—Lucas laughing with sugar still smudged on his cheek, and Jia walking beside him, holding his hand like she belonged there.

A small, genuine smile touched Madam Han’s lips. “Back from your adventure, I see.”

Lucas looked up and beamed. “Grandma! I showed Jia the koi and the bakery! She liked the strawberry puffs!”

Madam Han crouched slightly—despite her refined air—and brushed his bangs back with a tenderness only Lucas ever saw. “Did you now? I hope you made her feel welcome.”

“I did!” he said proudly. “She even said I’m the best guide.”

Jia smiled quietly as she stepped forward. “He really was.”

Madam Han stood straight again, her gaze shifting to Jia—gentle, but knowing. “Thank you for indulging him. He’s… brighter today.”

Jia hesitated, but then spoke honestly. “It wasn’t hard. He has a good heart.”

Madam Han nodded thoughtfully, then stepped closer and took Jia’s hand, holding it softly between her palms.

“I knew it,” she said, voice low, so Lucas wouldn’t hear. “You’re already making a difference.”

Jia blinked at the sudden warmth in her voice.

“You’re not just here for Daniel,” Madam Han continued gently. “This home... needs you. All of us do.”

Jia’s throat tightened slightly, but she held Madam Han’s gaze.

“I’m still finding my place,” she admitted.

“And that’s fine,” Madam Han said, smiling. “Just don’t run from it. Not when the house has already started to feel like a home again.”

Lucas tugged on Jia’s sleeve. “Can we draw later? I wanna show you my dragon!”

Jia laughed softly. “Of course.”

Madam Han stepped back, her voice affectionate now. “Go on, both of you. I’ll have someone bring snacks to the lounge.”

As they walked away, Jia glanced over her shoulder one last time.

Madam Han was still watching — not with scrutiny, but with quiet hope.

And Jia felt it then, like a thread being gently pulled toward something deeper.

She wasn’t just being watched.

She was being welcomed.