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Nicole quickly tried to smooth things over. “Martha, just eat. The food’s getting cold. It’s rare for the family to sit down together–let’s not ruin it with arguments.”

Martha responded coolly, “A family is only a family when a father is present. You all go ahead. I have no appetite. How can I cat when my father is suffering?”

With that, she tossed down her utensils and walked away,

Nicole felt regret immediately. She shouldn’t have invited her. A perfectly good dinner had been ruined.

She turned to Isolde apologetically. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked her to come.

Isolde looked at her cautious expression and let out a soft sigh. “Big Sister, there’s no need to apologize. If anyone should, it’s her. I am your younger sister. You can even scold me if you want.”

Nicole hesitated, then gave an awkward but gentle smile. “You’re doing so well. Why would I scold you? Right, Big Brother?”

She turned to Clark, almost pleading for support.

Clark glanced at both of them and nodded. “Isolde is right. You are the eldest.”

Nicole laughed sheepishly, visibly uncomfortable. She was someone who had never taken charge of anything in her life, always waiting for others to lead the way.

Geoffrey placed some food on Nicole’s plate. “Eat.”

Nicole let out a breath of relief. “Thank you. But how can I trouble you to serve me?”

Saying that, she picked up the food and tried to pass it to Isolde instead.

Isolde’s plate was already stacked like a small mountain. The additional portion caused the food to tip over and spill onto the table.

Nicole gasped, her face turning pale. “Isolde, I didn’t mean to!”

Isolde put her fork down with a deliberate clatter, her face darkening as she stared at Nicole.

Nicole was so frightened that tears nearly welled up in her eyes. She had never been so afraid of Isolde before, but after realizing how much the Langley family depended on her–how she had been made a County Princess–Nicole couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of reverence. Or rather, fear.

Isolde turned to Clark and said quietly, “Clark, take Nicole outside.”

If she stayed any longer, she would probably burst into tears right there.

Clark nodded. “You all continue eating. Save me some food, I’ll come back later.”

“I’ll have Esme prepare a fresh meal for you. By the time you return, this food will be cold.” Isolde said.

arm and led

Geoffrey remained at the table, allowing them to eat

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Finished

neither rushing nor hesitating. She had expected this meal to be unbearably awkward, but surprisingly,

urge to cough. His face turned red

at him, Isolde heard his barely contained coughs. Setting her bowl down, she poured a small bowl of soup and handed

out, carefully taking the bowl.

and gratitude made Isolde feel strangely

He was filled with guilt toward her, so even

didn’t like

somehow

Martha, as irritating as she was, felt easier

finished the soup and smiled. “That

utensils down. “Take your

a response, she

after her with a rare enthusiasm, “Alright! I’ll prepare

tomorrow.”

Esme caught up to her. “Why do you look like you’re in a bad mood?”

to talk to Nicole,” Isolde said.

frowning. “She’s becoming

me,”

afraid

a monster, either. I’ve done nothing to her, so why is she so scared? It’s

lost. She’s dependent on others now,

she had felt the same way -clinging to Michelle’s kindness, questioning herself whenever Michelle was cold. That desperate need for approval… wasn’t

Have Esme prepare a separate meal for Clark and send it to his

“Understood.”

I just wanted the family to have a nice meal together.

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319 I Know I Am

silent, simply watching her.

Finished

grew even more flustered. “How could I be so foolish? I should have known better! This dinner was so important to Uncle Geoffrey. Isolde was finally willing to come, and now I’ve upset her and

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