Leo snapped back to reality and chuckled as he saw Mirabe striding ahead with his suitcase. “Thanks, Mirabe, but I could’ve handled it myself.”


    Mirabe didn’t reply and just continued on, pulling his luggage determinedly. Sensing her insistence, Leo eventually gave up trying to help.


    Zach, who had been entirely overlooked behind them, now stood with hands on hips, watching the two disappear into the distance. He nced at <b>his </b>own suitcase by his feet and felt utterly neglected.


    Wasn’t he also family? Didn’t he have luggage too?!


    Zach stood there for what felt like an eternity. As the figures of his siblings faded, neither of them looked back to notice him being left behind. Finally, he huffed and dragged his suitcase toward the apartmentplex alone.


    Ungrateful siblings!


    Delh and Shawn only knew about Leo and Zach’s return through Mirabe, so they stayed home waiting.


    As the front door opened, Delh reached out to help with the luggage and asked, “Leo, your must be exhausted, huh?”


    Leo shook his head and nodded a greeting. “Hey, Dad. Mom.”


    “Haven’t eaten yet? I saved you and your sister some dinner,” Delh offered with concern.


    Just reaching the doorway, Zach thought, “You and your sister?” Was he invisible?


    After a night of repeated blows to his ego, Zach began to question his very presence in the family. Fortunately, he wasn’t entirely neglected. Shawn chimed in, “Zach, why are your zoning out in the doorway?” He gave Zach a puzzled look that clearly questioned his mental sharpness at such a young age.


    Zach just sighed internally. Maybe it was time to find a new ce to call home.


    Delh was preupied with Leo’s gaunt face, feeling a pang of maternal heartache that pulled her attention away from Zach. She ushered Leo into the living room for a closer look and said, “You look pale. You haven’t been resting properly, have you?”


    She had been worried since hisst visit, and after discussing it with Collins, who assured her there was nothing to worry about, Delh hadn’t probed further.


    Leo’s eyes drooped slightly as he replied, “It’s just jetg. I’ll be fine tomorrow<i>.</i>”


    Mirabe, who had been observing quietly, remembered checking Leo’s pulse earlier, and her expression tightened slightly. Her brother might’ve been physically weakened, but there was


    something else in his pulse that troubled her.


    After a moment, Mirabe excused herself, “I’m heading to my room. Still got some


    homework to finish.”


    “Oh, okay,” Delh nodded but quickly added, “Did you have dinner yet, sweetheart?”


    Mirabe affirmed with a nod, “I did.” With that, she gave a slight bow and headed upstairs.


    Delh turned back to Leo,menting, “Your sister is so into her studies. It’s all books and homework with her, like a little nerd. She doesn’t have any fun.”


    Leo, looking towards the second floor, felt a little surprised. He hadn’t expected Mirabe to be such a bookworm. But then again, maybe growing up in a small town had fueled her fervent pursuit of knowledge. At that moment, his appreciation for his studious little sister soared.


    Mirabe, nowbeled as diligent and hardworking, returned to her room and sat down at her desk, booting up herputer.