As Kian and Harper clinked glasses, Ami’s attention drifted to Sana, the one who had subtly played Cupid for her brother and bestie. But she froze as she watched Seven feeding Sana with careful attention. Her brows drew tighter, unable to shake the prickle of unease spreading through her chest.

  “Seven,” she called out, her tone calm but tinged with something unspoken, “does Sana still need to be fed?”

  Seven’s affectionate gaze lingered on Sana before he met Ami’s questioning look. “Aunt Ami, eating with one hand is tedious; her food would get cold before she was halfway through. When her shoulder injury heals, I’ll happily retire my services.”

  A soft murmur of appreciation passed around the room, each family member noticing Seven’s careful attention to Sana. “Young man,” Sadra began, “thank you for taking such good care of her. Our girl’s lucky to have someone so devoted by her side.”

  Seizing the moment, Seven reached for Sana’s hand, intertwining his fingers with hers as he turned toward her parents. “Uncle Sadra, Aunt Ami,” he murmured, his voice laced with nervousness, “there’s something I want to share with you both.”

  He hesitated, his grip tightening around Sana’s for courage, a hint of vulnerability in his posture. “Last night, I asked Sana to be my girlfriend and she agreed. I know it’s sudden, but our feelings for each other didn’t begin recently. I also know I’m not worthy of her yet, but I’ve made her a promise to protect and love her. I’ll do everything I can to become the partner she deserves.” His words, though rehearsed, held sincerity.

  Ami’s jaw tensed, but she held back, choosing to confront her daughter instead. “Sana,” she began, “do you have anything to add?”

  Sana shifted in her seat but still met her mother’s intense stare. “Last night… Seven got jealous,” she admitted, warmth coloring her cheeks. “He thought Harper was a guy and asked if we were… together.”

  She gave Seven a sidelong glance, her mouth curving faintly before she turned back to Ami. “I told him I fell for him from our first encounter. And when he said he felt the same, he asked me to be his girlfriend.”

  Sadra exhaled heavily, his shoulders sagging. He rubbed a hand over his face, gathering his thoughts. “Seven, you have to understand,” he rasped, his tone rough with reluctance, “this isn’t about your worthiness. We barely got her back after more than six years in Boston. This bombshell feels like she’s flying the coop again.”

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  Seven nodded slowly as he took in the full measure of Sadra’s explanation. It wasn’t a dismissal of him but a father’s struggle to let go, one he couldn’t ignore. And with that realization, a wave of relief washed over him.

  “I hear you, Uncle Sadra,” he said, a hint of newfound confidence showing. “Sana and I just started our relationship. If things go as we hope and marriage is in our future, I promise she’ll never have to leave you if she doesn’t want to. I’m an orphan, so she wouldn’t have to contend with in-laws. And since I don’t have a family name for her to take, our future children could bear hers.”

  He smiled, gentle but determined. “If she’ll have me, the relationship will move at her pace. The only exceptions I won’t compromise on are her health and well-being.”

  With each statement he made, Sadra and Ami found themselves strangely reassured. They were thoughtful commitments that showed genuine consideration for their family.

  After what seemed like an eternity, Sadra chuckled, breaking the tense silence with a lighthearted quip. “Seven, have you ever considered a career in sales? After hearing the pitch you made, I think you could even sell sand in the desert.”

  A ripple of laughter broke the tension. Ami, however, still wore a slightly guarded expression. The depth of his pledges felt like a desperate willingness to fold himself into their lives. It left her uneasy. It was like he was making his case before a jury, a little too polished, a little too eager. She couldn’t help but wonder if his devotion might one day become a burden for him or, worse, for her daughter. Beneath his earnest mien, she sensed fear—the kind that came from someone who had never been chosen before.

  “Are you sure about that, Seven?” she finally asked, her voice laced with a tinge of skepticism. “Won’t you feel emasculated?”

  Seven straightened in his seat, though Ami caught the faint tightening of his throat and the way his fingers curled a little too firmly around Sana’s. “Aunt Ami, I’ve led more missions than I can count. I’ve also followed orders when necessary. I don’t have a fragile ego when it comes to Sana.”

  He paused, letting the words settle before continuing, “The only time I’ve ever broken rules was for her. And if I have to break more for her again, I won’t hesitate. I’m fully prepared to live with the consequences.”

  The room fell silent for a beat. Seven’s tone wasn’t boastful; it was raw, almost pleading, as if bracing for disapproval he fully expected to come.

  Sadra, satisfied, exchanged a glance with Ami, who still looked like she had another question on the tip of her tongue. Seven’s straightforward response had shaken something in her, even if she couldn’t quite place it. She inclined her head, a trace of finality in her gaze. “Alright, Seven. You’ve made these declarations in front of us all. We’ll hold you accountable for every one of them from now on.”

  A flicker of relief passed over Seven’s face despite sensing Ami’s lingering hesitation. “Thank you,” he replied before glancing at Sana, whose soft smile eased the tension in his chest. “From now on, I’ll work hard to be worthy of her. Her happiness, health, and well-being will be my priority.”

  A mother’s protective instincts could catch even the tiniest cracks beneath a polished exterior. And Ami was no exception. Her calm demeanor held a quiet resolve; she would be watching, ready to step in if necessary. Sana was her precious baby, after all.