, she rose from her seat, biting back the threat

ed towards the kitchen, as if any further delay would render

g ingredients from the fridge, his brow furrowing instinctively. He

eal within half an hour and managing

oom carrying the food, she

ly placing a bowl of vegetable soup on the table, then gingerly touchi

nd-shaped eyes filled with a radiant smile that complete

left James moment

soft voice reached him: "The chopsticks are

ames ignore

seeing her reddened fingers, he paused,

dinne

asted two bites from each dish, neither picky nor gluttonous, as if even a simpl

mes but was deterred by his imposing manner. Even the

, Emily couldn't help but ask, "Is it always t

during eating, no talking during sleep

eechless and began clear

hesitancy and asked, "Is ther

ys eaten alone when

d, how could there be no convers

d dinner with them, she always

calling an unpleasant memory. His expression dar

promptly retreated to his roo

here had she offended this usually unflappable figure, she wondered, her offense a mystery. She

enses. In response, she willingly took up the mantle of housekeeping. After all, it s

nnui threatening to set in at home, she picked up her sketchpad and headed

es slumped on the sofa, his forehead slick with

dropping her sketchpad in surprise as

s with a languid gaze. His voice was weak, tinged with an edge o

went straight to the

deserted. There seemed to have been an accident on the outski

a brief examination, the doctor directed him

n her, his exhaustion palpable. He seemed so heavy that Emily herself felt unsteady. She gritted her teet

kempt bench and the vei

ad let go of him and was dashing

ook a seat on the grimy bench. As Emily's silhouette retr

assed when Ethan, clad in

ong bench and peering out of the queue

d, "The mighty James Williams reduced to this, isn't life ju

in as he watched Emily rushing back towa

ng medication and handed the prescription to a nurse for dispensing. He then turn

than, what's wrong

for generations and, being an illustrious and reputable family, has been c