Chapter 402
Kieran reached over and adjusted the blanket that had slipped off Lila’s shoulders. “Staying here tonight works too. It’s only two days until New Year, and we’ll
probably need to return here tomorrow anyway.”
Over the past few days, the Morgan residence had steadily grown busier with visitors. This was usually the time of year when the younger generation began gathering here for the holiday season.
Lila glanced up. “What about Aunt Jasmine and Bryce?”
Nicole answered before anyone else had the chance. “They’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. You and Noah can go pick them up.”
Jasmine Morgan and her son, Bryce Robinett, hadn’t been around much in recent years because of their overseas business ventures.
They had originally planned to return earlier when they heard about Lila and Kieran’s marriage.
However, with no wedding scheduled immediately and complications with their company, their trip home had been delayed until the end of the year.
Hearing this, Lila nodded, her expression softening into a smile.
“Sounds good. The last time Aunt Jasmine and Bryce came back was midsummer, I think. They’ve been away much longer than usual this time.”
Kieran turned slightly to look at her, his eyes sparkling with undisguised delight. On the table, the scattered playing cards lay in a messy pile. Kieran’s long fingers began gathering them one by one, methodically stacking them into a neat pile.
His movements were unhurried, almost like something from an old film, and even his fingertips seemed to carry the weight of the emotions he was carefully holding back.
Sensing the subtle shift in his mood, Lila glanced toward the staircase.
Ruby and Noah still hadn’t come back down.
“I’ll go check on them-”
Before she could stand, Kieran gently pressed her shoulder. Then, reaching for the glass of warm water Carol had just poured, he handed it to her.
“Don’t worry about them. Why don’t you think about what gifts to prepare for Jasmine and Bryce instead?” he suggested softly.
“You’re right, I almost forgot about that,” Lila said, patting her forehead with a small sigh.
“It’s just that Aunt Jasmine and Bryce always bring such expensive gifts, and I have no idea what would feel appropriate to give them in return.”
“We’re all family. It’s the thought that counts,” Kieran said, his gaze lingering on her face.
Lila nodded thoughtfully.
The soft light in the room, which had been switched on at some point, cast a warm glow over her smooth skin. Her delicate features looked like they had been painted onto a canvas, and the graceful curve of her slender neck as she tilted her head made her resemble a swan in repose.
Kieran’s eyes darkened briefly with a flicker of emotion, though it wasn’t just because of the beauty of the moment.
Lila seemed to still be lost in thought, turning over the earlier question in her mind.
“Don’t overthink it,” Nicole said with a
light laugh. “I know you’ve always
been fond of Bryce, but no matter you care about him, what
how much
you need to focus on now is what you want to eat tonight!”
As Nicole’s words trailed off, Ruby and Noah came back downstairs.
Nicole waved them over. “Ruby, stay for dinner tonight. Grandpa and Grandma will be back soon, too. It’s rare to have so many people here, they’ll be thrilled to see everyone together.”
Leaving the younger ones to chat in the living room, Nicole headed into the
kitchen to check on the food.
After sitting for a moment, Lila stood and quietly followed her.
She didn’t expect that as soon as she stepped into the kitchen, Kieran would walk
in behind her.
Startled, she turned to him. “Why aren’t you staying with the guests?”
“Guests?” Kieran raised an eyebrow slightly. “Are you talking about Ms. Clemence?”
Lila froze for a moment, caught off guard by the way he phrased it. Did that mean Ruby wasn’t considered a guest in his eyes? Did he think of her as family?
She hesitated, about to say something, when Kieran grabbed two tomatoes from the counter and placed them in her hands. “Could you help me out, Mrs. Morgan?”
As if it were an afterthought, he added casually, “Ms. Clemence doesn’t count as a guest.”
Lila watched him calmly turn around and tie on an apron. Her confusion deepened, and after a brief pause, she couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “Why doesn’t she count?”
Even if Kieran liked Ruby, they weren’t together right now.
So why wouldn’t Ruby be considered a guest?
Kieran glanced over his shoulder, his expression softening with a gentle smile. “I’ll
tell you later. For now, could you help me wash these tomatoes, Mrs. Morgan?”