Dinner at the Starks residence was never a quiet affair. By the time Annie entered the dining room with Sophie, Jude was already arguing with Aaron about whether a person could be disowned for stealing the last piece of roasted chicken. “I didn’t steal it,” Aaron said calmly. “I secured it.” “You hid it beneath your plate!” “That is called strategy.” Annie pulled out her chair. “You’re both embarrassing yourselves.” Jude pointed at her. “Tell him he should share.” “Why would I help you when you’re clearly the one who lost?” “Because we’re friends.” “We became friends three hours ago. Don’t make demands.” Sophie sat beside Annie, laughing. “You’re fitting in perfectly.” “That’s what worries me.” Brian entered a moment later, followed by his father. He had changed into a fresh shirt, but Annie noticed the tiredness around his eyes. His movements were controlled, though he paused briefly before taking his seat. She watched him closely. Brian sat across from her. Annie immediately frowned. He noticed. “What?” “Nothing.” “That expression suggests otherwise.” “I’m admiring your ability to sit down.” Jude covered his mouth to hide a laugh. Brian’s gaze sharpened. “Do you want to change seats?” Annie looked at the empty chair beside him. Then she looked back at him. “Actually, yes.” Before anyone could react, she picked up her plate and moved to the seat beside Brian. The table went silent. Sophie’s eyes widened with delight. Jude slowly leaned toward Aaron. “Did you see that?” “I have eyes.” “She moved beside him.” “I noticed.” Annie placed her plate down and looked around. “Why is everyone staring? Is sitting forbidden in this family?” Margaret smiled into her glass. Brian turned slightly toward Annie. “You didn’t have to move.” “I know. That’s what makes it special.” His lips twitched. Under the table, Annie nudged his leg lightly with her shoe. “Eat properly,” she murmured. “I haven’t started.” “Then you’re already doing badly.” Brian glanced at her. “You’re very demanding.” “And you’re very difficult to supervise.” Dinner began with several conversations happening at once. Richard discussed an upcoming business merger with William over the phone, Margaret asked Annie about university, and Sophie told Eleanor—who had joined them for dinner—that Annie had insulted three of her dresses. “They weren’t insults,” Annie said. “They were honest observations.” “Your honesty is dangerous,” Sophie complained. “It’s a public service.” Margaret laughed. “How are your classes going, Annie?” “Fine. We had a lecture on cardiovascular physiology.” Jude looked horrified. “That sounds painful.” “It was interesting.” “Anything involving the word ‘cardiovascular’ is not interesting.” Annie turned to him. “What do you study?” “Business.” “Then you should be familiar with the heart. Yours seems to be missing.” Aaron choked on his drink. Jude placed a hand over his chest. “That was cruel.” “You’ll recover.” Brian quietly placed a serving of vegetables onto Annie’s plate. She looked down. Then at him. “Did you just serve me food?” “You weren’t eating enough.” Annie glanced at his plate. “You’re monitoring me while I monitor you?” “It seems fair.” “Don’t copy my methods.” “Then stop using effective ones.” Annie stared at him for a moment before taking a bite. Across the table, Sophie watched them with an expression of absolute satisfaction. Brian’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, but Annie reached over and placed her hand over it. “No.” His eyes dropped to her hand. “No?” “You’re eating.” “It might be important.” “If the building is on fire, someone will come and tell you.” Brian looked at his phone again. Annie pressed her hand more firmly over it. “Eat.” Richard looked up from his conversation. “Is there a problem?” Brian answered without looking away from Annie. “No.” Annie smiled. “He’s learning.” Brian turned his phone face down. The gesture was small, but everyone at the table noticed. Especially his mother. Margaret’s expression softened, though she said nothing. For the next twenty minutes, Brian remained present. He listened to Sophie’s story about a fashion exhibition, responded to his father’s question about a business proposal, and even allowed Jude to accuse him of being emotionally unavailable without threatening to remove him from the family will. Annie found herself watching him differently. At work, Brian Starks was a man who seemed impossible to interrupt. Every movement was deliberate, every word measured. But here, surrounded by people who knew him well, he was still stern—just less distant. He let Jude annoy him. He listened when Margaret spoke. He quietly moved the bowl of soup closer to his father when he noticed Richard reaching for it. He remembered that Sophie disliked mushrooms and removed them from her plate without being asked. Annie had expected arrogance. She had not expected attentiveness. “You’re staring,” Brian murmured. Annie blinked. “I’m studying you.” “For what?” “Evidence.” “Of?” “That you might be human.” Brian took a sip of water. “Have you reached a conclusion?” “Not yet. The investigation is ongoing.” “Should I be worried?” “Very.” After dinner, Margaret insisted that everyone remain in the sitting room for tea. Annie settled into a comfortable armchair while Sophie sat on the carpet, showing her pictures from a recent fashion event. Brian stood near the window, speaking with his father. Annie tried to focus on Sophie’s explanation, but she noticed Brian’s hand moving toward his stomach again. This time, his father noticed too. Richard stopped speaking. “Are you feeling unwell?” Brian immediately lowered his hand. “No.” Annie’s head turned. Richard’s expression became stern. “You’ve been saying that for months.” The room quieted. Brian looked at his father. “I’m fine.” “You work too much.” “I manage my schedule.” “You ignore your body.” Brian’s jaw tightened. “Father.” Richard held his gaze for a moment before looking away. “You’re an adult. I won’t lecture you.” But the concern remained in his voice. Annie looked at Brian. He looked back. For a second, she saw something she had not expected: embarrassment. Not anger. Not irritation. Embarrassment. She rose from her chair. “I’m going to the kitchen.” Sophie looked up. “Why?” “Because I want tea.” “There’s tea right here.” “I want different tea.” “That makes no sense.” “I’m a complicated woman.” Annie walked into the kitchen, and Brian followed a few moments later. She was standing beside the counter when he entered. “You didn’t need to follow me,” she said. “I wanted tea.” “There’s tea in the sitting room.” “I want different tea.” Annie turned around slowly. Brian’s expression remained serious. Then she laughed. “You’re terrible at pretending you’re not following me.” “I’m not pretending.” “Even worse.” She took a small pot from the shelf. “What kind of tea?” “Any.” “That answer is unacceptable. Choose.” “Whatever you’re making.” “Then you get nothing.” Brian leaned against the counter. “You enjoy making simple things difficult.” “I learned from you.” Annie prepared the tea while Brian remained beside her. The kitchen was quieter than the sitting room, and for the first time that evening, neither of them had an audience. She glanced at him. “Your father worries about you.” “I know.” “Your mother does too.” “I know.” “Jason probably worries about you.” Brian gave her a sideways look. “Jason worries about everyone.” “And you still ignore all of them.” “I don’t ignore them.” “You just disregard their advice.” “That sounds less harsh.” “It sounds exactly the same.” Brian looked down at the counter. Annie placed a cup in front of him. “You should see a doctor.” “I have.” “When?” “A while ago.” “That isn’t a date.” “Annie.” She crossed her arms. “What?” “I’m handling it.” Her expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. “You’re not handling it. You’re enduring it.” Brian lifted his eyes. Annie continued, “There’s a difference between managing a problem and pretending it doesn’t deserve your attention.” For once, he did not immediately answer. The kettle clicked softly as it cooled. “I don’t like hospitals,” he said eventually. Annie blinked. “That’s your explanation?” “It’s the truth.” “Why?” Brian looked toward the window. “My grandfather spent the last year of his life in one. My family was always there. The smell, the machines, the waiting…” He paused. “I don’t like it.” Annie’s expression changed. She had expected stubbornness. She had not expected a memory. “Being afraid of something doesn’t mean you can avoid it forever,” she said more gently. “I’m aware.” “Good.” She picked up her cup. “Then make an appointment.” Brian looked at her. “Will you come with me?” The question was so unexpected that she almost dropped the cup. “You’re asking me to accompany you to a hospital?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because you’ll make sure I go.” Annie stared at him. Then she shook her head. “You’re shameless.” “Will you come?” She looked at his face, at the quiet honesty in his eyes. “I’m not your personal nurse.” “I know.” “And I’m not going to hold your hand while you complain.” “I know.” “And if you refuse to follow the doctor’s instructions, I’ll leave you there.” Brian’s lips curved slightly. “You’ll come, then?” Annie sighed. “I’ll consider it.” “That means yes.” “That means you’re irritating.” He reached for his tea. Annie watched him take a sip, then smiled faintly. From the doorway, Sophie suddenly appeared. “Am I interrupting something?” Annie immediately stepped away from Brian. “No.” Brian calmly continued drinking his tea. Sophie looked from one to the other. “You both look guilty.” “We’re discussing medicine,” Annie said. “Why are you in the kitchen discussing medicine?” “Because the sitting room has too many witnesses.” Sophie’s eyes widened. “You were flirting!” Annie grabbed a clean towel and threw it at her. Sophie ran away laughing. Brian watched her disappear, then turned to Annie. “Your friends and family are very loud.” Annie smiled. “You’re getting used to it.” Brian’s gaze settled on her. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I am.” And for some reason, those three words followed Annie long after she left the kitchen.

A Seat Beside Him