Mirabe retracted her gaze, slipped into her house slippers, and made her way towards the living room.


    Three people were seated on the couch, and as Mirabe approached, she could only apot her mom, Shawn, and another person. The third person’s back was turned to her, obscured by the sofa’s high back, revealing only the top of their head.


    “Hey, Mom, Dad, I’m home,” Mirabe called out sweetly, her voice devoid of any curiosity to see the quest’s face. She ced her backpack on a nearby cab and walked over to the water dispenser, pouring herself a ss of water. Just as she took a sip, her mother’s volce floated over.


    “Mira, sweetheart, why don’t youe over and say hello to Grandpa?”


    At the mention of “Grandpa,” Mirabe nearly choked on her water, coughing violently as her face turned a shade of red. Once her coughing subsided, she set the ss on the dispenser and headed towards the living room.


    That must be her mother’s father, she thought. She had been momentarily confused, thinking they were referring to the grandpa Catherine’s side of the family, who had passed away years ago.


    Lost in thought, Mirabe’s eyes widened in shock when she got a clear view of the person on the sofa. “Holy smokes, it’s <b>that </b>sneaky old man!”


    Donald had been facing Delh and Shawn, but as Mirabe neared, he turned his head to look at her. Seeing the girl’s stunned expression, his lips curved into a pleased smile as he greeted her cheerfully, “My dear granddaughter, it’s been too long. I have missed you. terribly.”


    Missed my foot! The usually eloquent Mirabe almost let out a swear.


    Seeing her nearly explosive reaction, Donald turned back to Delh and Shawn, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “Look at her. She’s so overjoyed, and she’s speechless.”


    Mirabe was dumbfounded.


    “Ha–ha, indeed, it’s been quite a while, Shawn agreed, mistaking his daughter’s shock for ecstatic surprise.


    “Yes, terribly missed,” Donald suddenly feigned a choke–up, his head drooping as he began to tremble and dabbed at his eyes.


    Mirabe couldn’t believe her eyes. What kind of melodramatic senior citizen was this<b>? </b>One moment he was all smiles, and the next, he was putting on a teaful act.


    Delh quickly handed him a box of tissues, “Oh, Mr. Donald, please don’t get so worked up. Now that you’re here, feel free to stay as long as you like. Mira will keep you


    Mirabe’s eyebrows knitted together at her mother’s words. That wasn’t her mom’s father?


    Sull pretending to dab his eyes, Donald peeked cautiously at Mirabe and asked in a low voice, “Really? Can I truly stay here?”


    “Of course! We’d be delighted to have you,” Delh assured him eagerly.


    Donald paused in his act, then nced slyly at Mirabe. “But I’m worried Mira might not want an old guy like me around.”


    “That’s not true,” Delh chuckled. “Mira’s a good girl. She’s probably even happier than we are that you’re staying.”


    At that, Donald’s lips twitched. Good girl? Then who was it that he overheard on the phonest night, threatening to beat up an old man?