Zamian approached with a dark, intense expression, his gaze fixed solely on Mark. The man holding little Zami felt a chill run down his spine, sensing the silent warning emanating from Zamian. Little Zami, however, remained blissfully unaware, her smile unwavering as she hugged her "uncle." But before she could fully understand the weight of the moment, she felt Zamian gently pull her from Mark's arms, his grip firm yet careful, as if he were protecting her from something unseen.
Mark had grown fond of the title "Uncle" over the past few months, even though it felt like a facade. The formality of "Mr." had always felt distant and cold, so he encouraged Zami to call him "Uncle," finding that the name was warmer and more fitting for the bond they had created. Yet, in this moment, he couldn't shake the feeling of being an intruder in a space that belonged to someone else.