Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 830

Kathleen linked arms with Teague and greeted Madge with a bright smile. "Madge, and Aberdeen-well, I didn't expect to see you two here! Mom and Dad didn't mention it before, so I thought you wouldn't be spending New Year's in Lumina City. This is wonderful. The whole family's together."

Her smile was radiant, and her words couldn't have been more gracious.

Neely and Geneva exchanged a glance.

Ever since Kathleen had married into the Sullivan family, she'd missed most of the holidays at home.

Not that the matriarch minded. Truth be told, she had little interest in seeing Kathleen anyway. If Kathleen didn't show up, so much the better.

Besides, the Sullivans were a large clan. With in-laws above and children below, it made sense that Kathleen would spend the holidays with them rather than coming back home.

Still, when you don't like someone, nothing they do ever really sits right.

Take Madge, for instance-she came home every year for the holidays, and the old lady's smile never faded.

But now, with Kathleen at the door, that smile instantly waned.

It was New Year's, though; it wouldn't do to turn guests away, especially with Corley present. So, though the elders were clearly less than thrilled, they still invited Kathleen and Teague to sit down and join the meal.

A housekeeper brought over two clean sets of plates and forks.

like I get this royal

No one responded.

seem the least bit embarrassed. With a smile, she reached for the serving spoon and placed some food on Teague's plate. "Here, try this—it's

cool. "I can

but the moment she tasted it,

kitchen since this morning. Most of the

bitterness

standards. But even so, confronting it now still caught

golden child. Mom hasn't set foot in the kitchen for years. Honestly, I thought I'd never get to

"Just eat, Kathleen. There's no

you're going to stuff my mouth with food in front of Mom

remember you being

at my own family's house. If I can't speak my mind here, where

fork. "I never said you couldn't talk. Just... maybe

she looked ready

"Mom spent a lot of time

of braised

go, picking up

delinenewed smile. "Mm. It's

ever."

Mom's cooking is