Mirabe''s face lit up with a sweet smile as she nodded at Nick. "Thanks for the gift, Nick."


    Nick, seeing the genuine joy in his sister''s eyes, couldn''t help but smirk and ruffle her hair. “We''re family. No need to thank me."


    "Yeah," Mirabe replied softly. Then, despite her mncholy, she bent down and effortlessly lifted a box that looked like it weighed a ton and started heading upstairs.


    Despite her gloomy mood, she carried the box without breaking a sweat.


    Nick watched,pletely dumbfounded. "..."


    Was this really his frail little sister pulling off such a feat???


    That many books—he''d struggle to lift it himself, wouldn''t he?


    Nick stood there, feeling like he was watching something out of a fantasy movie.


    Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was New Year''s Eve.


    This year''s holiday season was the most heartwarming one yet for the Davis family.


    With their daughter home and even Nick, who hadn''t been back for years, making the trip, Delh and Shawn were overjoyed at the dinner table. Delh, especially, had tears in her eyes as she looked at her children.


    Traditionally, the Davis family didn''t stay upte on New Year''s Eve. In previous years, after their reunion dinner, everyone would watch a bit of the New Year''s special on TV and then head to their rooms. This year, however, was different; no one was in a rush to leave.


    They all gathered in the living room, watching TV together.


    Leo had actually been invited to participate in a big New Year''s TV special, but he turned it down.


    This was his first New Year''s celebration with his sister. Missing a TV show was nothingpared to missing this opportunity for family bonding. Since Leo had already been dubbed the "little princess" by his fans—abel he couldn''t seem to shake off he decided to just embrace it and abandon any pretense of maintaining a different public image.


    At the moment, the two siblings were cozied up on the couch, engrossed in a video game, legs propped up, not caring one bit about their image.


    Zach, watching the two, especially his brother, rolled his eyes and turned to Shawn. "Dad, you should keep an eye on your son. Don''t let him lead Mirabe astray. It''s all video games, all day."


    Shawn nced at Zach and snorted. "That''s your brother. Why don''t you handle it?"


    Zach: ""


    Is this how we''re ying it now?


    Why not use the same approach you used on me before!


    Shawn, uninterested in further discussion, continued munching on nuts and watching the New Year''s special.


    Nick had stepped out to take a call, and in the living room, Emmitt sat farthest from the others, watching Mirabe and Leo''s harmonious interaction with a hint of envy.


    However, he only looked over a few times before lowering his head again, neither watching TV nor fiddling with his phone.


    Zach noticed him, sighed softly, and decided to sit next to Emmitt. "Still can''t get over it, huh?"


    Emmitt paused at Zach''s words, then shook his head, choosing to stay silent.


    Seeing this, Zach wasn''t sure how else tofort him. He had already said so much before, but it seemed like Emmitt couldn''t shake off his difort. Zach simply patted him on the shoulder as a gesture of encouragement.


    Meanwhile, after ying a couple more rounds of the game with Leo, Mirabe decided to take a break. "I''m going to call Grandma Catherine," she announced, closing the game.


    Leo nodded in agreement. "Say hi to Grandma for all of us."


    Mirabe stood up, waved at Leo to acknowledge, and then headed towards the garden.


    There was a swing chair in the garden. Mirabe wrapped herself in her coat before sitting down on it. She talked to Catherine for about half an hour. After hanging up, she didn''t rush back to the living room. Instead, shezily reclined on the swing chair, gently swaying her feet, and opened her Messenger app.


    A notification in her Messenger contacts showed a red dot, indicating someone had sent her a friend request.