Ste''s mood was excellent after seeing Marvin, whom she hadn''t seen in a long time. Even her voice was softer than usual.


    "The restaurant was incredibly busy tonight, and the service was slow," she exined. "That''s why I''m a littlete."


    Seeing the gentle smile ying at the corners of her eyes, Joshua felt an inexplicable surge of annoyance. He said nothing more,psing into silence.


    Ste quickly sensed that his mood had soured again.


    Assuming it was because herteness had kept him from his meal, she said promptly, "Sorry I''mte. I''ll make sure to be back earlier tomorrow."


    Joshua''s brow twitched. "Tomorrow? You''re going out with Neville again?"


    Ste nodded. "Yes. His grandmother is in Solmaris now, and I''m going to pay her a visit."


    "I''ll go with you," Joshua stated.


    "No, you don''t have to," Ste refused. "Your wound hasn''t fully healed. You should stay here and rest."


    Joshua frowned. "I can''t let you go alone. What if you run into danger..."<fnf9c3> Newest update provided by </fnf9c3>


    "Joshua, don''t worry about me," Ste cut him off. "Neville is picking me up directly tomorrow. I''ll be perfectly safe."


    Joshua fell silent.


    ***


    The next day, Neville arrived early at the hospital to pick Ste up. He even stopped by Joshua''s room to see him Joshua was coolly polite. La brie greeting before


    saying nothing more. Neville didn''t


    seem to mind.


    "Joshua, you just focus on getting better," he said with a smile. "Don''t worry about Star. I''ll take good care of her."


    Joshua said nothing, his face expressionless as he watched them leave.


    On the way to visit Grandma Connolly, Ste stopped at a mall to pick out a few gifts. The shopping took some time, and eventually Neville''s phone rang. The moment he answered Old Mrs. Connolly" eager voice came through


    "When are you arriving?"


    Neville nced at Ste. "We''re on our way back now. We should be there in about half an hour."


    "Wonderful, wonderful!" the old woman chirped happily. "I''ll have the kitchen start preparing the food." After a pause, she asked, "Does she have any allergies or favorite foods?"


    Neville was about to answer when she cut him off. "Oh, never mind. You don''t even know what Marvin likes to eat. I''d be better off asking her myself Put her on t


    For the phone


    Want to talk to her." ''


    Neville knew his grandmother was still skeptical about his sudden "girlfriend," so


    he handed the phone to Ste. "Star, my grandmother wants to talk to you."


    Ste took the phone with a smile. "Hello, Mrs. Connolly."


    "Hello, hello, my dear!" Old Mrs. Connolly said, clearly delighted. "I''m getting lunch ready for you. Is there anything you can''t eat? I''ll let the kitchen know."


    Though they had never met, Old Mrs. Connolly''s warmth touched Ste''s heart. In the past, neither the O''Brien family nor the Williams family had ever bothered to ask what she liked or disliked.


    "I don''t have any particr dietary restrictions, Mrs. Connolly," Ste said. "Please, prepare whatever is convenient."


    "Oh, my dear," her voice was gentle, "you should call me Grandma, just like Neville does. Don''t be such a stranger."