"You could still meet with my father if you both have time. Blake and I wouldn't mind," Catherine suggested softly.
"There's nothing left to say between us," Abigail replied with a light laugh, her tone final yet tinged with resignation.
"Thank you, Abigail." Catherine's gratitude spilled out.
"Alright, no more formalities. I'm content now. Rest now—you'll need energy for tomorrow's flight," Abigail said with a gentle smile.
Catherine nodded and quietly left. Back in the bedroom, Blake was sitting on the sofa with a strange look. On seeing her, he got up and walked over. "What did my mom say?"
"Nothing much. Just reminded me about Dad's medication," Catherine replied softly.
"Is he ill?" Blake's gaze sharpened.
"Old health issues," Catherine deflected, unnerved by his sudden intensity.
Blake said no more and put his arms around her. "Let's rest early. The flight will drain you."
"Okay. Good night." Catherine leaned against him and walked to the big bed.
Next Morning
Catherine peppered Hedwig's face with kisses before turning to Noah. The boy squirmed away, cheeks pink. "Mom! I'm not a baby anymore!"
Catherine, pretending to be hurt, sighed.
"Look at our grown man," Catherine sighed dramatically, though secretly thrilled by his budding independence.
Hedwig clung to her neck and kissed her face. "I'll love you forever, Mommy!"
Catherine was just pretending to be angry. Noah had grown up now, and he wanted to keep distance with women. This was actually a good thing.
Blake ruffled Noah's hair, drawing a pout from the boy.
"Listen to Grandma. We'll bring back gifts." Blake said gently.
The children nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, Daddy-Mommy, say hello to Grandpa for us, we'll visit next time!"
Catherine, touched, agreed. "I will tell him. Don't worry."
They drove to Blake's private tarmac.
Sunny got a call from her mom, asking her to come home for a meal after the Christmas.
Though reluctant, she agreed, moved by her mom's pleading tone.
After all, being with her mother was the point.
After telling Leo, who was at the company, she went home with some fruit baskets.
Sunny adjusted the fruit basket in her arms as she entered the gated property.
A young woman in a pink wool coat blocked her path—Tasha, her stepfather's daughter.
"Look who's back," Tasha drawled, tossing her trendy collarbone-length bob.
Tasha was the daughter of Sunny's stepfather. She was one year younger than Sunny and was sent abroad when she was fifteen. She and Sunny hardly had any emotional connection, and they didn't exchange a single word when they came home for holidays. It wasn't that Sunny didn't want to talk to her, but Tasha didn't bother to say a word to her.
It was rare that Tasha talked to Sunny.
Sunny, going to the hall, replied, "I came to see my mom."
Tasha sneered. "Heard Leo dumped you. Was it a personality clash? Or did he just get bored?"
Sunny's gaze frosted. "Why the interest?"
"Why wouldn't I care?" Tasha's phoenix eyes gleamed. "He's my idol. I plan to audition for his agency."
Sunny recalled Tasha's dance background and awards, both domestic and international, making her semi - famous.
Abroad, her selfies had gained her a following.
Tasha eyed Sunny with envy.
Sunny, a media major, had a tarnished reputation in college, leading to her decline and becoming a reporter.
Tasha thought her fit only for running errands, but fate had other plans.
As she returned to develop in the States, she found Sunny with Leo, her idol.
This was hard her Tasha to accept.
Sunny, a lowly reporter, now Leo's public girlfriend, was something Tasha couldn't bear.