Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1302: Jessa's reminders

[MAMA]

The family had decided to have their family dinner at the restaurant instead of at the Cortez or Bennet households. One of the reasons was that Jessa and Charles couldn't agree on a location-both wanted to host it in their home, each claiming to be Nina's parents. So, with Allison's suggestion, they all agreed to meet at Mama.

After all, Mama was a restaurant owned by both the Cortez and Bennet families. With that in mind, Nina decided to help out at the restaurant the day before the family meeting. Since they would be closing tomorrow, business continued as usual today. While helping out, Nina tried not to dwell too much on what had happened earlier.

"Is everything alright, dear?"

Allison's calm voice snapped Nina out of her thoughts. Turning to Allison, who stood beside the cashier counter, Nina gave her a small smile.

"Mhm," Nina hummed. "Everything's alright, Mom."

"Are you sure?" Allison raised a brow. "You've seemed a little distracted since you got here."

"Well..." Nina pursed her lips. "I'm just a little nervous, that's all."

"Nervous about the family meeting?"

"Mhm." Nina nodded, though that wasn't the full truth. She was distracted by what had happened earlier today, but it was true that she also felt tense as the family meeting approached.

"Oh, dear." Allison's warm eyes softened as she gently held Nina's hand. "Everything's going to be fine."

replied, glancing toward the kitchen entrance. "Aunt Jessa looks

she always like that?" Allison

person Nina had ever met-blunt to a fault, yet capable of kindness toward select people. Considering that Finn,

"Everything's going to be fine,"

they know Finn, so I'm sure they'll be fine," Nina replied, though she caught the doubt

Jessa and Charles. They might know Finn and have spent time with him on their trip, but a family dinner was a different matter. Still,

them later, she thought, knowing full well she had already given

smile as she stroked her hair. "You've really grown into a fine young woman,

fully understand that sentiment, but Allison was sure many parents would. The memories of her children-their habits, their little quirks were still so fresh in her mind, as if they had only happened yesterday. And yet, here they were—one of her

the thin sheen of tears

her smile to brighten. "I'm just... a little emotional, thinking

she nodded reassuringly. They didn't need

restaurant, with people constantly coming and going

light beer after another exhausting day.

that, it's going to be bad

beer down as she studied Nina. "Are

I'm okay." Nina

who should

t Scare Nina like that," Allison interjected, arriving with small plates of dessert and a snack for both of them.

like that boy?"

it's just a

don't think they