"It''s nothing too serious."


    As he mentioned this, Ryan let out a sigh of relief and leaned in a bit closer.


    "My brother recently returned from abroad, and it seems he''ll be staying here for a while, possibly the whole year. Our family is throwing a small dinner party in a couple of days, just for close friends and family. You two should definitelye."


    He conveniently ignored the fact that the invitation extended to Lysander was for him and his wife, M.


    But in Ryan''s eyes, M was unnecessary and unwee, a sentiment the Lockwood family shared. As long as Lysander and Giselle showed up, it would be fine.


    "Rnd''s back, huh."


    Giselle''s enchanting eyes flickered for a moment before she smiled, "Of course we''ll be there. Why didn''t you tell me earlier? I could have prepared a gift."


    Ryan waved a dismissive hand. "No need for gifts; just having you there is enough."


    He turned to Lysander, "Lysander, are you free that day?"


    Lysander replied coolly, "Yes, I''ll be there."


    He had known about Rnd''s return for some time and had received the invitation early on, so of course, he nned to attend.


    After their discussion, the group chatted a bit more before going their separate ways.


    After saying goodbye to Ryan, Giselle got into Lysander''s car, and they headed towards the Harvey family estate.


    When the car stopped in front of the estate, Lysander stayed in the car.


    Giselle asked, puzzled, "Lysander?"


    "Not tonight. Harper called earlier today, saying there''s something at home. I need to go back."


    Lysander exined gently before driving off.


    Giselle watched the car disappear, her gentle smile vanishing into a cold, dark expression... M, once again.


    She was like a shadow that wouldn''t go away.


    ...


    Last night was spent burning the midnight oil on a portfolio, and M had to start the day early at the office.


    After interviewing three candidates in the morning, M was visibly exhausted. This relentless pace was unsustainable.


    The work handover needed to be expedited.


    She grabbed a quick lunch and settled on her office couch for a short nap. Just as


    she dozed off, her phone rang shrilly.


    Seeing the caller ID, M was surprised.


    It was Lysander.


    He rarely reached out to her. Their interactions were mostly initiated by M, with Lysander often showing impatience.


    In the past, she would have been thrilled by his call.


    But now, M hesitated to answer, suspecting it might be about discussing their divorce. She picked up anyway.


    On the other end, a familiar, indifferent voice spoke.


    "Mom wants us to have dinner at the old house tonight. When do you finish work? I''ll pick you up."


    M didn''t respond immediately, bewildered.


    Her mother-inw inviting her to dinner wasn''t surprising; she had always been


    kind to M. But what was Lysander saying?


    He was offering to pick her up from work?


    Surely, she hadn''t been so sleep-deprived that she was hallucinating.


    When she remained silent, Lysander simply said, "I''lle by after work," and hung up without waiting for her answer.


    Typical of him to dismiss her so easily.


    M exhaled deeply. No, she wasn''t imagining it. She rolled over and continued


    her nap.


    She decided not to refuse the dinner.


    Since Lysander didn''t want to talk over the phone, they could discuss it at the old house. It was rare to catch him alone.


    ...


    As soon as M finished work in the evening, she saw Lysander''s car parked nearby.


    Adrian was with him.


    Adrian, sitting between them, initially wanted to greet his mom. But recalling how she had embarrassed Giselle a few days ago, leaving her upset, and how he hadforted her, he remembered that M hadn''t even called to apologize.


    Thinking of this, Adrian huffed and turned away, choosing to ignore his mom.