James'' mother-inw has a curfew at her house-anyone not home by ten o''clock gets a talking-to. James said this matter-of-factly.


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched slightly.


    Emily had said this youngdy seemed so well-behaved. "Well then, Mira,e over to Marian''s ce whenever you have time."


    She patted Mirabe''s hand and did not insist on her staying longer.


    James nced at Emily''s gesture. "We should be going then."


    Mirabe stood up, nodded to Emily, said goodbye, and followed James out.


    As they stepped outside, the cool night air brushed against them, making Mirabe instinctively wrap her coat tighter around herself, somewhat dispelling the effects of the alcohol.


    James looked at her. "Cold?"


    Mirabe shrugged her shoulders, her voice a bit slurred, "It''s alright."


    James took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "You''ll warm up in the car."


    Mirabe looked down. "Oh."


    Seeing this, James raised an eyebrow. "You drunk?"


    Mirabe quickly lifted her head, her eyes misty but trying to feign sobriety. She cracked a smile, "Joking, how could I be drunk."


    James took Mirabe''s hand, agreeing with her, "Yeah, you''re not drunk."


    Mirabe frowned. "I really am not!"


    They had reached the car park by now. James opened the passenger door, his hand preventing the door frame from hitting her as she got in.


    However, Mirabe, refusing to get in, held onto the door, and her jacket slipped off her shoulders to the ground, seemingly unnoticed by her as she reiterated, "I, am, not, drunk."


    It was James'' first time seeing the youngdy so insistent, a demeanor more fitting her age. He bent down to pick up the jacket, putting it back on her. "I know."


    "Patronizing." Mirabe pushed


    away James and got into the camet


    herself struggling a few times


    before managing to grab the seat


    belt but failing to buckle up.


    James, now truly realizing she was drunk, smiled, helped her with the seat belt,


    covered her with the jacket again, and then closed the car door.


    Circling around to the driver''s side, he got in.


    Soon, the car left the Shepherd family''s ancestral home.


    By the time they reached the neighborhood, Mirabe had fallen asleep against the seat.


    Her phone rang several times along


    the way, and by thest call, James


    had parked outside the Davis family''s house. He took out her phone from the jacket pocket.


    He answered the call.


    It was Marian who had called several times. James spoke briefly with her before hanging up.


    Shortly after, the front gate opened, and Marian hurried out.


    James got out of the car, walked to the passenger side, and gently carried Mirabe out.


    Marian nced at the youngdy, worried. "Did she drink a lot?"


    "Just a few drinks, she''s probably not used to it," James said nonchntly, carrying Mirabe inside the vi.


    Marian followed without asking further.


    Inside, Marian led James to Mirabe''s room, watching him ce her on the bed before speaking. "Ms. Mirabe should be okay, right?"


    James, while pulling a nket over Mirabe, reassured, "She''ll be fine, don''t worry."


    Marian, reassured atst, looked at James again, cleared her throat, and said, "Thank you for bringing our youngdy home. I can take care of her from here."


    "It''s no trouble at all," James replied, knowing it was best he leave. He stood to go, but Mirabe suddenly turned over, the nket slipping off a corner.