Seeing the situation unfold, Mirabe had a hunch that Catherine might be troubled by something-probably a call from Mandy. But she didn''t pry. Instead, she said, "I''ve got things covered; you should get some rest. I''ll take this up to Nick."


    Catherine murmured a soft acknowledgment, watching as Mirabe carried the cup out of the kitchen. Then, she let her shoulders slump, slowly making her way out.


    In the living room, James noticed Catherinee out and stood up, ready to say goodnight and head upstairs himself. But something was off; her eyes were slightly red, and her mood seemed down.


    He guided her to sit on the couch, asking, "What''s wrong?"


    Catherine sighed, then looked at James, shaking her head, "It''s nothing."


    James could tell she was holding something back. "Mira''s gone upstairs. You can talk to me," he encouraged.


    "It''s really nothing," Catherine said, her smile strained. After a moment, she suddenly grasped James''s hand, "James, I can tell Mira trusts you. If I''m not around someday, please, look out for her."


    James was taken aback but didn''t pull away. He reassured her, "Grandma, you''ll live to a hundred."


    Catherine shook her head, patting the back of James''s hand before letting go, "Wait here a second; I have something for you."


    With that, she stood and walked to her bedroom.


    Soon, she returned with a box, sat down, and handed it to James, "Give this to Mira after I''m gone."


    "Why don''t you give it to her yourself?" James asked, puzzled.


    "She wouldn''t ept it from me," Catherine said, a touch of mncholy in her tone.


    Knowing Mira''s temperament, James understood. He nodded, "I''ll make sure she gets it."


    "Thank you, dear," Catherine said, visibly relieved. She nced at the box, then added, "It''s for her 18th birthday. Tell her to keep it close...for safety."


    Though the notion of keeping something for safety might seem old-fashioned to some, James understood that Catherine''s main wish was for Mira to be safe and sound.


    He nodded, "Don''t worry; I''ll let her know."


    Catherine hummed in response, ncing at the clock on the wall. "It''s gettingte. You should head to bed."


    "Alright, and you too, Grandma. Try not to worry too much," James said, nodding. With a smile, Catherine waved him off.


    James, holding the box, headed upstairs. Just as he rounded the corner, he saw Mira leaning casually against the wall, as if she''d been there a while.


    James paused, then continued up, nonchntly hiding the box behind him, "Haven''t gone to bed yet?"


    Mira raised an eyebrow, simply gesturing for him to hand it over, "Give it here."


    "You heard?" James wasn''t really surprised.


    With azy hum, Mira confirmed.


    Given the close proximity of the living room to the staircase and theck of


    soundproofing in the house, plus her slightly better than average hearing, it would have been more surprising if she hadn''t overheard.


    "Goodnight," James said with a grin.