Arlene's POV
Rockford bursts through the front door, his stern expression melting into pure joy when he spots the cameras and Pop Mart shopping bag waiting on the coffee table.
"Hey Mom," he mutters, giving me a quick, uncomfortable side hug before bolting toward the staircase. I barely get a chance to speak before he's thundering back down, laptop tucked under one arm and charger cord dangling from the other.
"That smile could light up half the city. I'm guessing his reaction wasn't what you expected," I say, nudging Warner as we both watch Rockford frantically setting up his computer to help Nicholson.
When Rockford first walked in, he'd given Warner the same rushed greeting and awkward embrace before disappearing upstairs for his equipment. The whole interaction felt strange and distant.
"He called me the best King Dad," Warner murmurs, his voice soft with emotion.
