Chapter 544
Chapter 544
The Miller residence.
The atmosphere in the dining room remained tense, and more than a few eyes were fixed on Selena. Althea’s question had left her momentarily speechless-but the look she gave Althea was razor-sharp.
Then… she laughed.
“You’re acting as if you’re someone important in this house,” Selena sneered, her tone biting as she folded her arms across her chest.
Eli lowered her head even further, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She hadn’t expected her mother to go this far. Tonight’s dinner could have been a chance-if they truly wanted acceptance from the Miller family.
Not that Eli had ever intended that. She only wanted to share a meal with people she already considered family. To her, Nathan and Riana were her grandparents.
But Selena’s words were met with complete indifference.
Several servants had just set down the final dishes. The warm aroma of soup and the main courses filled the air.
Althea didn’t even turn.
She stood calmly beside her chair, adjusting the arrangement of the plates and bowls in front of her. Her expression remained gentle, as though she hadn’t heard a single word.
“Please make sure everything you prepared is served,” she said to the head housekeeper. “It would be a shame if the food got cold p>
“Yes, ma’am,” the woman replied at once.
Within seconds, the servants moved faster. Lids were lifted, bowls distributed, drinks poured. The quiet efficiency of their movements swallowed Selena’s remark as if it had never existed.
Selena stood frozen.
She hadn’t expected to be ignored so completely. And the fact that everyone was following Althea’s instructions -as though she truly held authority in this house-only made it worse.
“I’m talking,” Selena said again, louder this time.
Still no response.
Nathan was pouring a drink for Riana. Lydia helped Grace straighten the napkin on her lap. Josh was quietly telling Daven something about school. Even Eli was helping Lydia spoon mashed potatoes onto her plate.
And Althea?
She was already seated, calm and composed.
“Dad,” Althea called gently to Nathan. Then she looked around the table. “You can begin now. I think everyone’s been waiting for dinner p>
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Nathan, who had been holding his glass, paused.
His gaze moved slowly around the dining table-first to Riana beside him, then to Daven, who looked calmer than he had in days, to Althea, pale but wearing a gentle smile, and finally to the children, who were sitting together without the shadow of worry hanging over them anymore.
He drew a quiet breath.
For weeks, this house had been filled with tension, bad news, and a pressure that never seemed to ease. And now, for the first time, they were gathered again-whole.
Nathan gave a small nod. “All right,” he said, his voice calm but steady. He set his glass down for a moment, looking at each of them in turn. “Before we begin… there’s something I’d like to say p>
The dining room grew still. Even the servants standing along the walls seemed to pause, their movements quieting.
Nathan continued, his tone warmer now. “We all know the past weeks haven’t been easy for this family. A lot has happened… too much pressure, too many things we’ve had to face p>
His eyes turned to Daven.
“But today, we received good news. Daven is back with us, safe-and the truth is finally coming to light p>
Then his gaze shifted to Althea. His expression softened.
“And we’ve also been given a new blessing for this family p>
Beside him, Riana smiled, while Grace looked at Althea with shining eyes.
Nathan nodded again, his voice deepening slightly as he went on.
“This house has been through a great deal. But every time we’re tested, we’re also given a reason to be grateful p>
He paused briefly, then added more quietly, “Our family hasn’t grown smaller. It’s growing p>
Daven lowered his head slightly, his jaw tightening as he held back emotions he didn’t put into words.
At last, Nathan lifted his glass.
“So tonight, we won’t talk about problems. We won’t talk about who was wrong or what’s happening out there.” A faint smile touched his lips, “Tonight, we share a meal as a family. And for that, I’m truly grateful p>
Riana raised her glass as well. “To family,” she said softly.
“To family,” Lydia echoed.
Grace eagerly lifted her small glass, while Josh offered a quiet smile.
Althea looked at Nathan, her eyes shimmering slightly. Beneath the table, Daven quietly reached for her hand and held it. Nathan lowered his glass and gave a small nod.
“Now,” he said, his tone lighter, “go ahead and start before the food gets cold p>
The tension that had filled the room slowly began to dissolve. Spoons moved. Soft conversations returned. And
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for the first time that evening, the Miller family’s dining table truly felt warm.
Only one person seemed untouched by that warmth. Something rose in Selena’s chest-hot, sharp, and burning, ready to erupt at any moment. It was as if she didn’t exist in the room at all. Her eyes immediately
searched for Eli.
“Eli, we’re going back to the room,” she said coldly. “Now p>
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