"Grandma, we want tea too," Serena piped up.


    "Why don''t you take Miss Shannon to your room to y?" Magdalen replied, not wanting her granddaughter underfoot while she spoke with Eleanor. She also hoped Vanessa wouldn''t make things harder for Eleanor.


    After all, Vanessa had yed a part in her grandson''s impending divorce from Eleanor. It frustrated Magdalen to no end-her grandson was blind to the value of a devoted wife like Eleanor, and instead let himself get swept up by someone like Vanessa, whose motives were anything but pure.


    As Magdalen approached, Eleanor bit her lip, gathering herself. "Grandma, I actually have some things to take care of. I was just thinking-maybe I should-"


    "You''re not the one who should be leaving," Magdalen''s voice rang out, sharp and sudden.


    Eleanor startled at the unexpected outburst.


    Vanessa, who had just stepped into the foyer with Serena, heard it too. A flush crept up her cheeks.


    "Grandma, that''s not what I meant, I just―" Eleanor tried to exin, thrown by the older woman''s intensity.


    "This is my house," Magdalen cut in firmly. "I invited you here for dinner myself. You''re not going anywhere."


    Vanessa, meanwhile, handed her gift basket to the housekeeper. She turned to Serena. “Serena, I should be going-I have something I need to take care of."


    "Vanessa, you don''t have to leave. I''ll talk to Grandma and exin," Serena whispered, annoyed. Why did Grandma have to make things so awkward? This was all Eleanor''s fault.


    Vanessa squeezed Serena''s arm and murmured, "Serena, today is your grandmother''s housewarming. Let''s not upset her, okay?"


    "But... you''re my guest..."


    Vanessa let go and forced a smile as she walked over to Magdalen. "Grandma, I''m so sorry, but I have to leave early today. I''lle visit you again soon."


    Then, turning to Eleanor, she added quietly, "I''m sorry, Eleanor. I didn''t realize you''d be here. I didn''t mean to intrude or make things ufortable."


    Eleanor''s eyes narrowed. It was clear from Vanessa''s words that she saw herself asn''s new partner, staking her im in front of everyone.


    Just then, Gina hurried out from the living room, Serena trailing behind her.


    Gina had already gotten the gist of what was happening. She nced at Eleanor, then spoke to Magdalen in a gentle voice, "Mom, since Vanessa''s already here, and it''s our very first meal in the new house, why not have her stay for dinner?”


    "Exactly, Grandma! Turning away a guest on a special day isn''t a good omen," Serena chimed in.


    "Aunt Gina, Serena, that''s really not necessary..." Eleanor protested.


    "Mom, Vanessa looked out for us when she was living abroad. She visits whenever she''s in town, too. Don''t you agree?" Gina continued to reason with her mother-inw.


    She then looked at Eleanor with a reassuring smile. “Eleanor, please don''t take it personally. We''re just trying to have a nice dinner together."


    Eleanor nced at Vanessa, who lingered awkwardly, clearly hoping for an invitation to stay.


    "But Mom, she''s not family anymore!" Serena muttered, pouting.


    Magdalen shot her a look. "Ellie isn''t an outsider. She''s the mother of your niece, and that alone makes her practically family."


    Vanessa tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Aunt Gina, I''m sorry for imposing. I''lle back another time."


    Suddenly, Serena called out toward the east wing, n!"


    Vanessa spun around at once. Ian was walking out, hand in hand with Evelyn. A lump rose in Vanessa''s throat; she''d been hoping for a reason to stay.


    Evelyn spotted the little group in the garden and tugged her father''s hand. "Daddy, Miss Vanessa is here too!"


    "We''re just keeping Grandmapany," Serena replied quickly. Then, linking arms with Vanessa, she said, “Come on, Vanessa, let me show you my room."