Chapter 545
Chapter 545
Eli, already seated, looked startled. She turned slowly. “Mom… I want to eat here p>
“Didn’t you hear me?” Selena’s voice tightened. “Come with me p>
Eli tightened her grip on her spoon. “I p>
“Now!” Selena snapped. “I won’t p>
Before she could continue, Riana’s voice cut in.
“Selena.” Her tone wasn’t raised, but it was enough to still the entire room.
Selena turned. Riana looked at her calmly, but there was firmness in her gaze.
“If your intention is only to make this dinner uncomfortable,” she said slowly, “then it would be better if you returned to your room p>
Silence fell. There was no anger in her words. No sharp emotion. And yet, that calmness drew a clear line no one could ignore.
Selena opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She glanced around. Not a single person stepped in to support her. Even Eli didn’t move from her chair. The girl lowered her head instead, as if hiding-unwilling to meet her mother’s eyes.
Whether it was fear or simply a refusal to get involved, Selena couldn’t tell.
But she would make sure Eli understood her place in this house. If it weren’t for Selena’s efforts to bring them here, Eli would never have been sitting with the Miller family tonight.
At last, Selena’s gaze fell on Althea.
The woman was calmly ladling soup into her bowl, her movements unhurried and composed. She wasn’t disturbed in the slightest by Selena’s outburst. Her expression remained serene, no longer directing a single word-or even a glance-toward her.
But it was obvious-she wasn’t bothered at all.
And somehow, that was what hurt Selena the most.
“Fine,” she said sharply.
She turned and strode out of the dining room. The door shut behind her with a hard sound, yet not a single person turned to look.
For a few seconds, the room remained quiet.
Then Althea spoke in the same calm tone as before. “Grace, the soup is still hot. Be careful p>
As if nothing had happened.
Selena’s departure hadn’t disturbed her in the slightest. To Althea, a disruptor didn’t deserve more space than necessary. She had already said what needed to be said. There was no point in reacting to whatever Selena chose
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to do next.
And the room came alive again.
Soft conversations resumed. Spoons and forks clinked gently against plates. The warm aroma of food filled the air. For the first time after weeks of pressure and tension, the dinner truly felt like a family meal.
Daven glanced at Althea several times. “Finish your soup,” he said quietly.
Althea smiled faintly. “I am eating p>
“Not enough,” Daven replied. He moved another portion onto her plate. “The doctor said you can’t miss your nutrition p>
Josh let out a small chuckle. “Dad’s fussier than Grandma now p>
Riana raised an eyebrow. “I feel like I’ve been replaced p>
Light laughter circled the table.
Grace leaned closer to Althea. “Mom, will the baby like soup too p>
“I hope so,” Althea answered gently.
Nathan nodded in quiet satisfaction, watching the warmth around the table. Lydia and Felicia joined the easy conversation. Even Eli, though still a little awkward, found herself smiling now and then at the sudden jokes and lighthearted moments. Occasionally, she glanced at Althea with warmth, openly expressing her happiness about the pregnancy.
Her words were sincere-there was no hidden motive behind them.
Meanwhile, Daven never stopped keeping an eye on Althea throughout the meal. Whenever her bowl emptied, he refilled it. Whenever she paused too long, he quietly reminded her to keep eating.
Althea didn’t protest. For the first time, she allowed herself to be taken care of.
After dinner, Riana stood. “That’s enough for today,” she said. “Althea needs to rest p>
Althea was about to say something, but Riana was already looking at her firmly.
“No arguments. We have tomorrow to talk about everything else p>
Then Riana turned to the children. “And you two,” she added to Josh and Grace, “don’t disturb your mother tonight p>
Grace lowered her head immediately, disappointment written all over her face.
Daven noticed her expression. He crouched beside his daughter and gently smoothed her hair until she looked at him.
“Is there something you want to say?” he asked softly.
Grace hesitated, then whispered, “I want to sleep with Mom and Dad p>
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The room seemed to grow even warmer.
Daven looked at Althea, silently asking for her approval. Althea gave a small smile.
“Of course you can,” she said.
Grace’s head shot up in disbelief. When her mother nodded again, she hurried over and hugged her happily.
Josh let out a quiet sigh. “I knew she’d win p>
Daven stood and ruffled his son’s hair. “You can join too, if you want p>
Josh gave a small smile, though he tried not to look too eager. “I mean… is that allowed p>
Major Canis Author
Hi, my beloved readers,
Please forgive me for the late update. Today I met up with some old friends and it was such a wonderful time. I hope today is a happy day for all of you as well p>
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