Leo let out a resigned sigh, thinking. “You’re asking so obliviously, Mom. Anyone would think. you’re the evil stepmother from one of those old fairy tales.”


    Looking up. Leo was about to speak when Shawn interjected. “Honey, why even ask? He’s grown enough to know when to grab a bite.” Shawn shook his head in mild exasperation.


    “I was just making conversation,” Delh retorted with a side nce at her husband, patting her face as she briskly headed to her bedroom.


    Leo was left speechless. His heart felt like it had been put through a shredder since moving back home.


    Mirabe nced at Leo, who was with his self–absorbed, dazed expression, sipped her soup. and then reached for the cake box beside her, cing it in front of him. “The strawberry shortcake from this ce isn’t half bad.”


    And just when Leo thought. “Only my sister really gets me.” he was left bewildered.


    Strawberry shortcake? What the heck? He was not a girl!


    Meanwhile, Mirabe continued to slurp her soup, seemingly oblivious to Leo’s baffled look.


    With aplicated mix of emotions, Leo picked up his spoon. His hunger stripped him of his usual grace as he speared a meatball and bit into it fiercely, only to stter his shirt with greasy stains.


    Awkward much?


    Mirabe cleared her throat but said nothing as they ate in silence. Then, struck by a thought, Leo looked up at his sister. “Mirabe, that medicine you gave me, was it expensive?”


    Collins had told him about the rarity of the medicine, urging him to ask Mirabe where she had gotten it from.


    “It was okay.” Mirabe replied nonchntly, finishing her meal. Leaning back contentedly, she added, “I’ll get you another bottle in a few days. You’ll be back on your feet in no time.”


    Leo looked startled. His fingers involuntarily tightened on the tabletop as he echoed, “Back… on my feet?”


    Mirabe just winked at him before standing up to clear the dishes, cheerily saying over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Leo. I’ve got your back.”


    Watching Mirabe’s retreating figure, Leo felt a fog clouding his thoughts, trying to grasp the implications of her words while another part of his mind urged him not to overthink it.


    After washing up, Mirabe emerged, seeing him deep in thought but chose not to say more. simply remarking. “Leo, I’m heading upstairs.”


    Snapping out of his reverie, Leo replied, “Ah, sure.”


    Once Mirabe ascended the staircase, Leo stood and walked into the living room, sinking into the couch with a puzzled gaze towards Shawn. “Dad, do you ever feel like Mirabe is… I don’t know, kind of mysterious when she talks?”


    “Mysterious?” Shawn squinted, then suddenly lobbed a throw pillow at his son. “Can <b>you </b>believe it? Your sister brings you a midnight snack, but you decide she’s being all crazy<i>?</i><i>” </i>


    Leo’s mouth twitched. He’d said “mysterious,” not “crazy” clearly, his dad was just looking for an excuse to tease him.


    Scratching his head, Leo continued. “Didn’t the Gilbert family raise Mirabe in that small county town with her grandmother? Her friends should be limited to ssmates and neighbors. from there, right?”


    Shawn nced at him. “What’s your point?”


    Leo hesitated before saying, “Well, she gave me this medicine a while back, and I had someone consult an expert about it. They said it’s priceless and extremely valuable.”