Sheldon's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Daddy, are you jealous?"

Lyndon sighed dramatically. "Just a little."

From the bathroom doorway, Tilda had been listening. She turned back to glance at them, a softness in her eyes.

Someday, she thought, she wanted to be the one to tell Lyndon the truth. To tell him that Sheldon was his son.

When Tilda returned from the bathroom, Lyndon was sitting beside Sheldon, telling him a bedtime story.

Sheldon, his little hands resting on the blanket, listened with his eyes half-closed, lulled by Lyndon's deep, steady voice.

Tilda quietly approached, standing next to Lyndon as they both watched over Sheldon.

Not long after, Sheldon's breathing evened out, his tiny chest rising and falling peacefully. He had fallen into a deep sleep.

Lyndon stopped speaking. Tilda tucked the blanket more securely around Sheldon before exchanging a glance with Lyndon. Without a word, they quietly left the room.

Outside, Lyndon stretched slightly before turning to her. "Sheldon will be staying with my parents for the week," he said. "What about you? Are you staying?"

Tilda hesitated. "I'm not sure." She was a screenwriter and needed to stay with the crew.

But now that she was taking an unexpected break, she was sure the director and producers wouldn't be too happy.

"If work keeps you busy, go ahead," Lyndon reassured her. "Sheldon will be in good hands with my parents—you don't have to worry."

Tilda looked at him and asked, "Why don't you just tell me to take time off and stay home with him?"

Lyndon raised an eyebrow. "Would you want to?"

Tilda crossed her arms. "Why wouldn't I?"

Lyndon smirked slightly. "Because you're a workaholic." A workaholic?

Tilda blinked. "That's how you see me?"

She wasn't sure if she liked hearing that from him.

The term "workaholic" isn't inherently negative, but it often carries an unspoken implication: that a woman is focused on her work and doesn't require support.

And for some men, that is a reason to keep their distance.

Tilda wondered, couldn't he be her support?

Lyndon, noticing the subtle shift in her expression, explained, "That's not exactly what I meant. I just meant that you're good at your work and dedicated to it."

Tilda pursed her lips slightly before saying, "But Sheldon is more important than anything else."