Shawn’s thoughts drifted back to his wife’s migraines, which seemed to have magically disappeared. He had noticed that she neverined about them anymore.


    Curiosity about where his daughter acquired her remedies did cross his mind, but he respected her privacy. Shawn believed everyone had their secrets and saw no reason to pry. The family. had missed seventeen years of her life, and now that they were finally reunited, simply being together was enough. There was no need for suspicion or doubt.


    Shaking off his reverie, Shawn patted his belly reassuringly and asked with a hint of levity. “You think your sister would do you wrong?”


    Leo, caught off guard, instinctively shook his head.


    “See? No need for all these wild thoughts. She’ll share when she’s ready.” Shawn had a knack for seeing the bigger picture.


    His mind then wandered to Emmitt, prompting him to add with emphasis, “Thest thing we need in this family is distrust. It can hurt more than any outsider ever could. Leo, I don’t want you holding any prejudices against your sister.”


    Leo was taken aback to hear his father speak with such seriousness. Although it was surprising, he listened intently and responded with conviction, “She’s got a sweet temper, and she’s well–behaved. Why would I have any prejudices? And even if she did have her quirks, she’s still my sister.”


    “That’s my boy!” Shawn said approvingly. Pausing, he corrected, “And for the record, your sister doesn’t have any quirks. She’s a lot more dutiful than any of you boys.”


    Leo choked back a retort. “I was just making aparison.”


    Shawn gave him a sharp look. “Even so, noparisons.”


    “By the way.” Shawn continued, “why are you so free these days? Hasn’t thepany got work. for you?” There was a detectable note of disdain in his voice.


    Leo, now ustomed to his father’s insinuations to get out of the house, replied with thick–skinned ease, “Yeah, they gave me an extended leave.”


    Shawn squinted suspiciously. “You’ve been acting oddtely. Is something up?”


    “Nothing, just felt like taking a break,” Leo said, keeping hisposure.


    Satisfied with the answer, Shawn dropped the subject. But his thoughts returned to the


    medicine his daughter had provided Leo, which was said to be priceless and rare. What about his own?


    Rubbing his chin, Shawn stood and retreated to his room, pondering.


    The next day.


    Mirabe had just arrived at school when an unusual Friday announcement called for an all–school assembly. Typically, assemblies were a Monday affair. The sudden change had the students whispering in confusion.


    Soon, the entire school gathered on the field, with Mr. Hammond taking the stage instead of his usual deputy, which was a rare urrence.


    Mirabe and Jenna stood at the back of their ss<b>. </b>


    “I’ve got a hunch today’s meeting Has something to do with that forum post from yesterday.” Jenna murmured to Mirabe.


    Mirabe nced at the stage<b>, </b>thoughtful. “Could be.”


    “Were you on the forumst night?” Jenna prodded.


    “No,” Mirabe replied,zily tracing patterns on the ground with her shoe.


    “You went to see Summer from the Prodigy ss yesterday, right? Then someone posted your conversation in the forum’s chat section. Now, there’s a lot of spection about your rtionship with her.”


    Jenna’s love for gossip shone through as she continued, “Summer used to be a Davids, but after the whole baby mix–up saga, she took her birth parents‘st name. Queen Mira, don’t tell me you’re the one she was swapped with?”


    The theory was a bit melodramatic, but it wasn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility.