My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Sloane returned from the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea in her hand, the faint aroma of chamomile hitting her immediately. She took a slow sip, savoring the warmth and quiet after her long day.

She was heading for the stairs when a loud, sharp yell rang out, stopping her in her tracks.

"What is this?!"

She recognized the voice instantly—it was Elion, and he wasn't in a good mood. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she stopped, a frown forming on her face. She glanced down the hall toward his office, where the sound had come from. After a moment of hesitation, she headed in that direction.

As she reached the door, she noticed Elion by his desk, his whole body radiating frustration. His sharp silver eyes were fixed on a young maid who stood before him, trembling slightly and clutching the hem of her apron.

"I didn't ask for this drink!" Elion said sharply, gesturing to the dark liquid sitting on the desk. "Why would you bring this to me without checking first?"

The maid bowed her head deeply, her voice trembling as she stammered, "I—I'm sorry, Mr. Vaelorian. I thought—"

"You thought wrong," Elion interrupted flatly.

Sloane stepped into the room, her calm but firm voice cutting through the tension. "Hey, it's fine. She didn't mean any harm."

Both Elion and the maid turned to look at her. The maid's wide, fearful eyes darted nervously between Sloane and Elion.

Sloane walked further into the room, setting her tea on a side table before addressing the maid. "It's all right. You can go now." Her words were kind, but there was no arguing with her.

The maid hesitated, glancing back at Elion as if seeking his permission.

His jaw tightened, but he let out a sharp breath and gestured for her to go. "Fine, get out."

The maid bowed quickly and all but fled from the room, the sound of the door closing softly behind her.

Sloane gave Elion a sideways glance, her expression somewhere between questioning and unimpressed. She crossed her arms and sank into the chair across from his desk, her sharp gaze fixed on him. "It's unusual to see you lose your temper over something so trivial," she remarked.

Elion leaned back in his chair, his posture rigid. Elion's hand hovered over the desk, his fingers lightly tapping as he gave her a cold gaze. "What do you want, Sloane?"

Sloane shrugged casually, a small smile playing on her lips. "Nothing. Just curious."

"Curious about what?"

She gestured vaguely with one hand. "About why your mood seems so foul today. Meanwhile, Raelynn's up there practically glowing with happiness."

At the mention of Raelynn's name, Elion's expression flickered, though he quickly masked it. "What are you talking about?"

Sloane leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the armrests of the chair. "You probably also noticed she had lunch with a friend and came back with a beautiful bouquet, right? Honestly, you should've seen her—she was smiling nonstop."

Elion shot her a disdainful look, his lips turning up slightly in a sneer. His voice dropped to a mutter, but Sloane heard him clearly. "Just a lunch and some flowers. How can such trivial things make her so easily happy?"

Sloane raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Hmm. Trivial, huh?" She leaned back, crossing one leg over the other as she studied him. "You know, Elion, I realize you didn't ask for my opinion, but since we're on the topic…"

Elion shot her a warning glance, but she ignored it, her voice turning into a teasing tone. "Maybe you should take notes. A little bit of effort, some sweet gestures—it wouldn't kill you to do something nice for her every now and then."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm already nice to her."

Sloane couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh, you're nice to her? Wow, I'm sure the endless glaring and space between you guys are just so heartwarming. Really, Elion...."

Elion's jaw tightened again, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "What do you want me to do? Shower her with gifts? Write her poetry?"

Sloane grinned. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt to try."

He scowled, but there was no real heat behind it. Instead, he looked away, his gaze falling somewhere on the surface of his desk.

Sloane tilted her head slightly, her voice gentler now. "Look, all I'm saying is… she deserves someone who makes her feel special. Someone who can match that smile she gets when she's happy."

Elion didn't respond immediately. He stared at the desk, his brows drawn together in a thoughtful frown. His fingers stopped tapping, his hand stilling against the wood.

Satisfied with how the jealousy had developed into something bigger, and hopeful it would lead to something good, so she stood and reached for her tea. "Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. You can go back to brooding now."

She started toward the door but paused just before leaving, glancing back over her shoulder. Elion stayed quiet, his face showing no emotion, but there was something distant in his gaze, as if his mind was elsewhere.

Sloane smirked to herself as she turned and walked out, the door clicking softly shut behind her. She couldn't help but shake her head a little, a small chuckle escaping her. Elion was so stubborn, always putting up that wall like he didn't need anyone. But deep down, she knew he did. And that was exactly why she couldn't let him drift too far.

She wasn't some love expert or anything, but she could tell when a friend needed a nudge—especially Elion. He'd been so caught up in whatever he thought was "right" that he was blind to what was right in front of him.

She sighed, pushing a stray lock of hair out of her face. Maybe it was none of her business, but if she could help him see that, just a little effort here and there could go a long way, she would. "Don't mess this up, Elion."