As Linnea walked through the door, she immediately spotted her son sprawled on the living room couch. "Chen, when did you get back? Why didn''t you call me?"


    Owen was still on his phone, but at his mom''s voice, he just waved absentmindedly.


    Seeing this, Linnea held back her words, choosing instead to shrug off her coat and hang it up.


    It took a while before Owen finished his call. He looked up nonchntly at his mom and sister. "I just got back a little while ago."


    "You look exhausted, kid. Your face is so thin," Linnea said, her concern evident.


    Autumn sat next to Owen, resting her chin in her hands as she looked him over. "Yeah, Emmitt, you''re all skin and bones. Are you sick?"


    Owen didn''t seem fazed. "With all the running around I do, it''s bound to happen."


    Linnea sighed softly, knowing the demanding nature of her son''s job.


    For generations, the Shields family had been in government service. Owen, however, had surpassed them all, securing the top municipal position at a young age. His constant busyness had be the norm.


    "Have you eaten yet?" Linnea asked.


    Owen shook his head. "Haven''t had the chance."


    Feeling a wave of empathy, Linnea quickly stood up. “Let me fix you some pasta.”


    She soon disappeared into the kitchen.


    Owen turned to Autumn with a teasing glint in his eyes. "So, you went on a blind date?"


    Autumn, surprised at her usually serious brother''s joke, waved a hand dismissively and slumped back on the couch. "Don''t even get me started. It was beyond awkward."


    The other family was well-mannered, reflecting their status, so Autumn had been on her best behavior during her visit with the Davis family.


    Owen just smiled lightly. "You''re still young. No need to rush."


    "It''s not me who''s in a hurry, it''s her!" Autumn pointed towards the kitchen. "Now I understand why my life''s been so rough. With you not around, mom''s doubling down on me with all the marriage talk that''s meant for you."


    Owen''s cheek twitched, but he chose to stay silent on the topic of marriage.


    Before long, Linnea brought out a steaming bowl of pasta, calling Owen over to eat.


    Owen was still bundled up in a puffy down jacket, so aside from his thin face, he didn''t appear particrly frail.


    Just as he was about to dig in, Linnea approached him. “It''s not cold in here, and that bulky jacket must be hard to eat in. Take it off, I''ll hang it up for you."


    Owen paused, then declined. "I''m good. Caught a bit of a cold recently, so I''d rather keep it on."


    Hearing this, Linnea retracted her hand and sat down. "Alright, eat up.”


    With a nod, Owen pulled his jacket sleeves down to cover his hands.


    However, Linnea noticed and her brow furrowed. Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and yanked up his sleeve.


    Seeing the stark veins on his thin arm, Linnea''s face turned pale, and her voice trembled, "What''s this... How long has this been going on?"


    Caught off guard by his mother''s sudden action, Owen pulled his hand back. "It''s almost healed. Don''t worry."


    Linnea''s gaze bore into Owen, her hand trembling on the table. "Just tell me, how long has it been like this?"