M gently closed the bedroom door behind her, then turned to her father-inw with a worried expression. "What''s going on, Conrad? Everything seemed fine before. How did things get so serious over just a few words?"


    Conrad shot a disapproving nce at Lysander, who trailed behind them, before addressing M politely. "Let''s talk in the study," he suggested, leading her away from the others.


    In the study, it was just M and Conrad. The air was tense.


    "You want a divorce, and I won''t stand in your way. That''s between you and Lysander," Conrad began. "But we had an understanding, didn''t we? You two would handle your issues quietly, giving your mother-inw time to adjust gradually. But what have you done instead?"


    Conrad''s face darkened, his tone stern. "You''ve been rejecting her repeatedly. Even someone less sensitive would notice something was wrong by now."


    "We agreed you''d handle the divorce discreetly. But instead of easing Felicity into


    it, you''ve cut her off abruptly, without any warning. It''s harsh, M."


    "You know how Felicity feels about you. For seven years, she''s adored and depended on you. And now, you''re ready to walk away without a second thought, discarding her genuine care for you."


    "Just because things didn''t work out with Lysander doesn''t mean you should be at odds with Felicity."


    M had no words. She realized she had been too hasty, too harsh with her mother-inw. But it wasn''t entirely her fault;municating with Lysander was like talking to a wall.


    Seeing her silent and torn, Conrad softened and offered apromise. "How about this? Instead ofing every week like before, you could visit every two weeks, then once a month, and eventually, less frequently, until you no longer need toe at all."


    "That way, it won''t be too many visits, and Felicity can gradually get used to the change."


    M considered this and agreed it made sense. "I''ll make time to visit, but I can''t be here for the holidays. I have family obligations too."


    She hadn''t seen her great aunt in seven years. Spending the holidays with the Montgomerys would be uneptable to her family, and she didn''t want to upset them.


    Conrad understood her situation. He knew how little Jade thought of the Montgomerys. Spending holidays together was out of the question, so he reluctantly agreed.


    "Alright, I''ll talk to your mother-inw. Make sure you spend some time with her today."


    As long as M was willing topromise where Felicity was concerned, that was all he could ask for.


    After their discussion, the warmth of the room began to chase away the chill M had been carrying. She headed upstairs to see her mother-inw.


    Conrad watched her retreating figure and sighed heavily. He suddenly realized something crucial.


    It wasn''t M who needed the Montgomery family; it was the Montgomery family, especially Felicity, who couldn''t bear to lose M. Everything had been fine, and they could have continued enjoying M''s presence in their lives.


    But now...


    Conrad''s gaze shifted to his son, Lysander, who stood awkwardly near the doorway. A surge of anger red up inside him, and hended a heavy punch on Lysander''s shoulder.


    "You fool of a son!"


    The study door mmed shut with a forceful bang.


    Lysander stood there, bewildered, rubbing his shoulder. What had he done to deserve this today?