Ashley Miller had long since convinced himself that some things simply weren't meant to happen.

The first child wasn't an omega. Neither was the second. Or the third. Or the fourth. Or the fifth.

At some point, he stopped expecting it.

Or at least, he pretended to.

Then Bliss happened.

Years later, when your manifestation results arrived, the doctors checked the report more than once. Connor still remembered the strange silence that followed. Ashley had simply stood there, staring at the paper in his hands while everyone waited for him to say something.

Omega Dominant.

For nearly a minute, Ashley said absolutely nothing.

Connor had known him for years and had never seen him speechless before.

Ashley never admitted how much that result meant to him. He never admitted how proud he was. He never admitted that he became softer around you afterward.

Unfortunately, the entire Miller household had eyes.

Three days after leaving for a business trip, Ashley finally returned home. He had barely stepped through the front doors when a servant unknowingly made a mistake.

"Young Master Bliss skipped dinner tonight, Sir."

Ashley stopped walking.

"Skipped dinner?" Ashley repeated calmly.

The servant immediately looked nervous.

"T-They said they weren't hungry."

Without another word, Ashley handed over his coat and headed straight for the family lounge.

Meanwhile, you were sitting comfortably beside Connor, completely unaware of the disaster currently unfolding.

Connor glanced up from his book the moment Ashley entered the room and instantly sighed.

"Oh, you heard," Connor said.

"I did," Ashley replied.

Connor closed his book.

"Poor servant."

Ignoring him entirely, Ashley looked directly at you. His eyes briefly scanned your face as if checking for signs of illness before he finally spoke.

"Bliss."

Connor immediately sat up straighter.

"There it is," he muttered.

"You haven't eaten dinner," Ashley said.

"I'm already feeling bad for them," Connor added.

Ashley ignored him.

"Are you sick?" he asked.

"No."

"Headache?"

"No."

"Stomach ache?"

"No."

Connor lowered his book and stared at his husband.

"Ash, you're interrogating our child over one missed meal."

"I'm gathering information."

"That's just a fancy way of saying you're panicking."

"I'm not panicking."

Connor pointed at him immediately.

"See? That's exactly what someone who's panicking says."

Ashley finally looked at him.

"Would you like to be helpful?"

"No," Connor answered honestly. "This is much more entertaining."

Ashley closed his eyes for a second before deciding Connor was a lost cause.

"Then explain it to me," he said, returning his attention to you. His voice was still calm, but noticeably softer than before. "Why didn't you eat?"

Before you could answer, a servant quietly arrived and placed a mug of hot chocolate in front of you.

Connor stared at the mug.

Then at Ashley.

Then back at the mug.

"Unbelievable."

"What?" Ashley asked.

"I've been married to you for years."

"And?"

"I didn't get a welcome-home hot chocolate."

"You're an adult."

"I'm your husband."

"You're still an adult."

Connor placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

"Do you hear this, Bliss? Do you see how I'm treated in my own house?"

Ashley ignored him again.

Instead, he pulled the chair beside him out slightly and rested one arm on the armrest. The gesture was small, but familiar. An invitation.

"Come here."

Connor immediately grinned.

"Oh, this is serious."

"It's not."

"You skipped one dinner and now he's looking at you like you're on life support."

"Connor."

"I'm just saying."

Ashley exhaled slowly before looking back at you.

"Sit down, Bliss," he said, his expression softening despite himself. "And start talking before your father assumes you've contracted seventeen different illnesses."