---- Chapter 23: Is This My Room? When Aaron went solo at that law firm and started handling cases on his own, he finally got his first assistant. Since they worked so closely-day and night-it felt like Aaron had found his soulmate, and before long, they started dating. At first, things were great. Their values lined up perfectly, and their chemistry was smooth sailing. But as time went on, fights popped up left and right. She complained he wasn't around enough, didn't pay enough attention, didn't put in enough effort, and lacked passion. She told him bluntly: Aaron didn't need a girlfriend, he needed a work partner. Less than a year later, they called it quits-no fireworks, just a quiet breakup. Aaron bounced back fast, kept his cool, and went about his work like nothing happened-no drama, zero distractions. Derek summed it up perfectly: "Aaron's basically an emotionless robot." And honestly? Aaron loved the single life. No strings, ---- total freedom, working whenever he wanted, however late he wanted. He was basically allergic to romance. The thrill of winning a case gave him way more buzz than any love story ever could. When he and Derek moved to Greystone City to start their business, the hectic pace, crushing pressure, and tangled social scenes squeezed the life out of them. Forget dating-he didn't even have time for a hookup. At 35, Aaron was still riding the high that work gave him, and he didn't see marriage in his future. There are a million ways to live-just pick what fits you. Then Leo showed up. From the shock and confusion to the excitement and joy, Aaron knew one thing for sure: he was mostly just thrilled. He promised himself he'd give Leo a childhood full of happiness. He turned off his phone and slept through the night, dreaming not a single thing. Sunlight slipped through the clouds, warming the curtains in the living room. Another day had begun. Clara stirred the porridge in the pot, not really paying ---- attention, but her cheeks heated up again thinking about last night's awkward moment. "Morning! What's for breakfast?" Aaron's voice rumbled in the kitchen, low and magnetic, with a hint of something like happiness. "Porridge..." Clara tried to avoid looking at him. "You wanna check if Leo's up?" "Sure." Aaron spotted her glowing red ears from behind and chuckled silently. His wife was super sensitive. What could he do? He actually thought it was kind of adorable. Clara scarfed down her breakfast and then made an excuse about work at the hospital and headed out early. Not totally a lie-she was prepping for her mid-level physician evaluation lately. Before, because she spent so much energy caring for Leo, she hadn't focused on it, so even after years of work, she was still just a junior physician. It was more like a job she liked than a career climb. Now, with Aaron helping shoulder some of the pressure, Clara seriously started thinking about her career path. ---- At the hospital, Steven dropped off a stack of study materials on her desk. "Heard you're prepping for the mid-level exam? These helped me before, so I brought them for you." "Mr. Riley, you're too kind, but I've pretty much got it covered," Clara politely declined. Steven insisted, "Just keep them here. I'm done with them anyway. Can't hurt to have extra prep." Clara smiled and said, "Thanks! I owe you a meal sometime!" Steven's eyes lit up. "Great! When?" Clara blinked-she was just being polite, but now she couldn't back out. "How about lunch today? Cafeteria?" "Cafeteria?" Steven said, "Sure, works for me. Catch you later-get back to work!" At the clinic, before the doors opened, Clara quickly called Mia in. "Don't say I never looked out for you! Lunch is on me!" Mia's eyes went huge. "For real? That awesome?" Clara grinned. "Of course! We're tight! Wait for me after work." At noon, the madness finally paused, and they both got a breather with some water. ---- Mia bounced over, excited, and the two headed to the hospital cafeteria. Right by the door, they spotted the ever-charming Mr. Riley waving and smiling. Mia's face lit up. Clara leaned in and whispered, "Surprised?" Mia laughed, "So it's true! You just used me as a shield!" Clara teased, "Don't hate. Just tell me if you wanna have lunch with Steven!" "T wanna! I wanna!" Mia practically dashed ahead. Finally, lunch went pretty well. At the end of the day, Sierra called, asking for help moving. Clara took a cab to the hotel and found most stuff already packed up. "Almost done moving? Why didn't you wait for me to help?" Clara asked. Sierra spread her freshly polished fingers and laughed, "Lhired help. Come on, let's go." Clara asked, "Where's Elsie?" Sierra said, "Her dad came to take her out." They packed up the last few personal things, checked out at the hotel front desk, then headed to Sierra's new ---- place. It was on the seventh floor-and sunlight poured in beautifully. Sierra threw open one bedroom door. "Ta-da! Babe, check this out!" Clara stepped in and saw the soft curtains, cozy bedding, a fancy vanity, and a cream-colored wardrobe-exactly her style, just like the rental she'd loved before. "This is my room? I'm so touched!" She rushed over, cupped Sierra's face, and kissed her hard. "Love you, love you!" Since her mom passed, no one had ever cared for her like this-someone who got her tastes and truly thought about her feelings. Sierra said, "This is our home now. You're always welcome anytime." Clara's eyes welled up, her cheeks flushed. Sierra hugged her tight. "Don't think a few tears get you out of buying me dinner!" Clara giggled, "Of course not! We've got to eat! What should we get?" "Barbecue!" they shouted in perfect sync. It was rare that neither kid came along. Usually, to ---- cater to the kids, they ate mild stuff. They'd been craving barbecue forever. Together, they hit the restaurant, ready to feast. Clara said, "Remember that barbecue spot behind med school? So good. I went back two years ago-it was still there." Sierra laughed, "Of course! One time we tried to skip anatomy class, and the professor caught us right outside that barbecue joint. Never forgot it!" Clara said, "Time flies. I wonder if the professor knows we didn't exactly light up the medical world-would he be crushed?" Sierra sighed, "You're doing alright, at least you stayed in medicine. I totally left that world behind. I've settled in, and now it's time to figure out what's next!" Clara said, "You got this, girl!" They capped the night off by polishing off a bottle of beer. Pure bliss!