"Nothing," Aiden muttered, his lips pressed into a tight line. Mirabe''s


    overwhelming presence had left him nearly speechless; he''d barely managed to say ten words.


    "Who are you guys talking about?" Summer couldn''t hold back her curiosity any longer and blurted out the question.


    Aiden, who didn''t get along well with Summer, certainly wasn''t about to admit he''d gone to see Mirabe and got turned away.


    Mandy, in a sour mood herself, snapped back, "Who else but Mirabe?"


    The mention of Mirabe made Summer''s face fall. Lately, whenever her mom came to pick her up, it seemed to always be about Mirabe.


    And now her own brother had gone to see her too?


    What was this all about?


    Did everyone suddenly remember the Davis family''s wealth and now wanted to win her back?


    Summer shook her head, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes, and decided not to ask any more questions.


    **


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe and her brother Nick walked back into the vi.


    Shawn and Delh had been waiting, tipped off by Nick''s call. It had been two or three years since the whole family was together.


    As soon as they stepped inside, Delh''s eyes filled with tears. She reached out to hug Nick, but he dodged her.


    Delh''s face fell, and she quickly dropped her arms, trying to act like it didn''t bother her. She pulled Nick''s suitcase inside.


    The suitcase felt unusually light. When Delh lifted it, she paused, her expression a mix of deep sadness and something else.


    Mirabe, who had just slipped into her slippers, turned to see Delh''s strange demeanor. "Mom?" she called softly.


    Delh snapped back to reality and forced a strained smile, dragging the suitcase into the living room.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly-something was definitely off. She nced over at Shawn, who was talking to Nick, and noticed the odd expression on his face too.


    Clearly, there was an untold story here.


    With her curiosity piqued, Mirabe walked into the living room.


    Zach had heard about Nick''s return and left work early to be home. Seeing Nick,


    he patted his shoulder warmly, "Good to have you back."


    "Thanks," Nick replied, not used to too much physical contact, even from his own brother, which made him stiffen involuntarily.


    Zach knew his habits and didn''t take it personally.


    They all sat in the living room chatting. Mirabe, ever thoughtful, went to the kitchen to slice some fruit and brought it out, then sat quietly, listening to their conversation.


    Zach, with one leg crossed over the other and his hands resting on his knee, looked at his brother, "So, Nick, are you nning to stick around this time?"


    As soon as the question was out, Delh and Shawn''s eyes locked onto Nick, especially Delh, whose face was filled with anxiety.


    She had noticed how light Nick''s luggage was, indicating he hadn''t brought many belongings, which made her feel uneasy.


    Feeling his parents'' anxious gazes, guilt welled up inside Nick. He turned to them, his eyes filled with regret, "Dad, Mom, I''m sorry, I..."


    Before he could finish, Delh''s voice broke. Tears she had been holding back streamed down her face, "Nick, don''t you want toe home?"


    The pain and sorrow in her voice were palpable, even causing Shawn, sitting beside her, to redden his eyes as he reached out tofort her.