Unwelcome Surprises.

Celeste

Celeste stood just inside the doorway, taking in the space around her. The house was impressive-modern, sleek, and expensive-but it lacked warmth.

Her gaze drifted to the small figure curled up on the couch, hugging a stuffed rabbit.

Oliver.

Her chest tightened. She had only met him briefly before this arrangement had been finalized, but she remembered his curious gaze, the way he had peeked at her from behind Ethan's leg. He had liked her then-cautious but interested.

Now, he wasn't hiding. Not quite. He sat on the couch, his fingers absentmindedly stroking the rabbit's ears, watching her with quiet curiosity. His shyness was evident, but there was no fear in his expression.

That was a small relief.

Ethan, however, was another story.

His arms were crossed, his face unreadable. "Your room is down the hall. Second door on the left."

Celeste raised an eyebrow. "That's it? No grand tour? No 'welcome to your new home' speech?"

His lips pressed into a thin line. "I assume you know how a house works."

A tiny giggle.

Celeste turned just in time to see Oliver quickly hide his smile behind his rabbit. Her heart lifted. He was amused.

Good. That was something.

She turned back to Ethan. "House rules?"

Ethan's expression didn't change. "Stay out of my office. Don't move anything. We act like a couple only when necessary. Other than that, we stay out of each other's way."

Celeste folded her arms. "And Oliver?"

Ethan hesitated, glancing at his son. "What about him?"

Celeste frowned. "Does he get a say in any of this?"

Oliver tilted his head slightly, as if considering the question. He didn't look uncomfortable-just observant, like he was waiting to see what she would say next.

Before Ethan could respond, the front door swung open.

Celeste tensed at the sudden change in energy.

Ethan stiffened.

A woman stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

She was striking-poised, elegant, with sharp eyes that swept over the room like she was conducting an inspection. She didn't look particularly surprised to see Celeste.

But she didn't look particularly pleased, either.

Ethan's ex-wife.

Claire.

Celeste hadn't expected to meet her so soon, but the way Ethan's jaw tightened told her this wasn't planned.

The woman's gaze settled on her. "So," she said coolly, "this is her?"

Ethan's voice was low. "Not now, Claire."

Claire's lips curved slightly, but there was no humor in it. "Oh, I think now is the perfect time."

Celeste's stomach clenched.

Oliver, however, didn't shrink away. He hugged his rabbit, but his wide eyes stayed on Claire, watching.

He wasn't scared. Just cautious.

And that made Celeste feel just a little bit steadier.

Ethan

Ethan clenched his jaw. He should have known Claire would show up unannounced. She always had a way of appearing when he least wanted her to.

She glanced at Celeste, then back at him. "You didn't tell me you were moving her in today."

"Because it's none of your business."

Claire arched an eyebrow. "Isn't it?"

Ethan exhaled sharply. "Why are you here?"

She ignored him and turned to Oliver instead. Her expression softened, her voice lowering. "Hey, sweetheart."

Oliver hugged his rabbit but didn't look away. He was watching her closely, studying her like he was deciding how to respond.

After a long pause, he said quietly, "Hi, Mom."

Claire sighed. "I came to see you."

Ethan crossed his arms. "And now you've seen him."

Claire's jaw tightened, but she kept her voice calm. "We need to talk, Ethan."

"Later."

Her gaze flicked back to Celeste, assessing. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she said, "Fine. But don't pretend you can keep me out of this."

And with that, she turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor until the door shut behind her.

Silence.

Celeste let out a slow breath. "So. That was your ex-wife."

Ethan ran a hand over his face. "Welcome to the circus."

A tiny laugh.

Both Ethan and Celeste turned toward Oliver. He was smiling again-just a little-but it was there.

Ethan felt something in his chest loosen.

At least Oliver wasn't scared of Celeste.

That was something.

Celeste

Celeste hesitated for a moment before sitting down on the other end of the couch. She didn't get too close-just enough to let Oliver know she wasn't ignoring him.

Oliver looked at her, his fingers still stroking the rabbit's ears.

"Is that Benny?" she asked.

Oliver blinked in surprise, then nodded.

Celeste smiled. "I remember him from last time. He looks like a very good rabbit."

Oliver's lips pressed together, but it was clear he was trying not to smile too much.

Celeste glanced at Ethan, who was watching the interaction with a mix of curiosity and something she couldn't quite place.

Then she turned back to Oliver. "You know, I had a rabbit when I was little, too. But mine was real."

Oliver's eyes widened slightly.

"He was tiny," Celeste continued. "But he chewed through everything. My dad's favorite chair, my mom's favorite scarf... even my homework once." She grinned. "Not that my teacher believed me."

A giggle. A real one this time.

Ethan looked at his son, then at Celeste, his expression unreadable.

But Celeste wasn't looking at him. She was watching Oliver, who was still smiling-small and shy, but real.

She didn't know what this arrangement would bring.

But for now, she took this as a win.