"Father! I'm so happy you've returned," Ella exclaimed, her voice bright and enthusiastic.
Nathan snorted, rolling his eyes as he mimicked her tone. "Father! I'm so happy—"
"Grow up, Nathan," Ella snapped, throwing him a sharp look over her shoulder.
Charles Hawk turned, his expression warm as his gaze settled on his younger son. His smile, practiced and polished, carried an air of authority masked as affection. "What do you think, Nathan? Are you really going to ignore your father after all this time now that I have returned?"
