Vernon paused mid-argument, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the soft voice that had just cut through the chaos. "Lukas, did Annabel do something wrong?" Gloria asked, her tone gentle but firm, stepping into the spacious penthouse kitchen with a warm smile that seemed to diffuse the tension like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Lukas and Annabel froze in their heated exchange, both whipping their heads around to face Gloria simultaneously. The little girl, Annabel, with her wild curls bouncing and cheeks flushed from the excitement of the bickering, was the first to pipe up, her voice a dramatic wail laced with righteous indignation. "Mommy! Uncle Lukas wants to rob my banana cream pie! He said he would eat Mommy if I didn't give him my pie! He's being a big meanie!"
Lukas's face
