Before long, dinner was ready.


    Around the dining table, the air was filled with the savory aroma of a well-roasted chicken and theforting scent of baked potatoes. Delh, beaming with maternal pride, couldn''t help but get sentimental as she looked around at her sons and cherished daughter gathered in one ce. "Today has got to be the most together we''ve been in ages," she remarked.


    Shawn, eager tomemorate the asion, fetched a bottle of vintage red wine from the cer, filling everyone''s ss with a generous pour. When he reached his daughter, however, he swapped the wine for a ss of freshly squeezed apple juice.


    Mirabe merely raised an eyebrow at the substitution.


    Throughout the meal, Mirabe spoke little, chiming in only when someone directly engaged her in conversation. It wasn''t that Emmitt''s return had rendered her silent; she was always the quiet one at the table.


    Both Shawn and Delh were ted to have Nick back home, but they didn''t forget to shower their daughter with attention, making for a content and fulfilling family dinner.


    Ever since Emmitt had tasted the bitter vor of regret, he''d felt too ashamed to return to the family home. It was only his brother Nick''s homing that had given him the courage to face everyone again.


    Sitting at the table, Emmitt couldn''t quite understand his own motivations— whether it was the longing to see his estranged brother or some other draw. Noticing Mirabe''s quiet demeanor, he found himself equally at a loss for words, simply nursing his ss of wine.


    Initially, Nick hadn''t sensed anything amiss, but as the meal progressed and he observed theck of interaction between Emmitt and Mirabe, he began to feel that something was off.


    After dinner, Nick discreetly pulled his brother Zach aside to inquire about any recent family drama he might have missed.


    Zach hesitated only briefly before deciding toe clean, summarizing the misunderstanding that had taken ce.


    Nick listened intently, then shook his head after a long silence. "Emmitt just put too much trust in Summer," he finally said. Though brotherly bonds were strong, Nick believed one should never be blind to their sibling''s faults.


    However, at the mere mention of Summer, Nick''s expression turned notably colder, his pale skin casting a faint chill under the light.


    Zach eyed his brother, tempted to offer aforting pat on the shoulder but knowing well Nick''s aversion to physical contact. He let his hand fall to his side and simply said, "You really should let go, you know."


    Nick chuckled ruefully, his gaze drifting off into the distance. "If only it were that simple," he murmured.


    "By the way, have you been sleeping bettertely?" Zach asked, recalling a particr concern.


    "Much better, actually. It''s thanks to the sandalwood incense Mirabe mailed me. I''ve tried all sorts of sleep aids before, but none worked like hers," Nick replied, still amazed by the efficacy of his sister''s gift.


    Zach let out a thoughtful hum. "She must have a knack for healing. That incense really does wonders."


    Nick hummed in agreement.


    In the living room, Mirabe and Leo were engrossed in a video game, while Emmitt, having indulged a bit too much in the wine, massaged his temples, feeling the onset of a headache.


    Delh, noticing Emmitt''s state, prepared a cup of strong ck coffee, hoping to sober him up. Despite downing it, Emmitt''s difort persisted.


    Nick, who had finished his chat with Zach, observed Emmitt and approached him with a concerned look. "Emmitt, have you been entertaining a lottely?" he asked.


    Emmitt tilted his head slightly to nce at Nick, his response nomittal. "Not really."


    "You look like you''ve been overdoing it with the alcohol recently. I suggest you get yourself checked at the clinic tomorrow," Nick advised.


    Delh, caught off-guard by the exchange, quickly regained herposure and chimed in, "Overindulging? But you''ve never been much of a drinker. What''s going on?"


    Emmitt''s eyes dropped, and he didn''t answer her. Instead, he steadied himself against the couch and rose to his feet. "It''s gettingte, I should head out," he said, excusing himself from the family gathering.