When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira wasn't about to budge, not even an inch.

Caspian spoke up, "Evelina, Lemira just got back home. Maybe you should give her some leeway."

Lucian chimed in, "Any seat's as good as another, Evelina. How about you take this one over here?"

Evelina was on the verge of tears. In the past, she'd always snagged Lemira's spot, and her brothers had always backed her up. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd be the one asked to move one day.

Asher stayed silent, leaving Evelina with no choice but to grudgingly take another seat, though she simmered with resentment. Lemira noticed Evelina's unwilling expression. Good, she thought.

Before long, Zack, along with the staff, began serving dinner. As Lemira's fork clattered to the floor, she glanced at Zack, "Could you bring me a fresh set, please?"

Zack promptly obliged, returning shortly with new utensils. After taking a bite of her meal, Lemira spat it back onto her plate, "What's going on in the kitchen? This food is atrocious. Is this your way of saying I'm not welcome back?"

Zack, taken aback, retorted, "Ms. Lemira, these dishes were prepared by the head chef. They can't possibly be bad."

"Well, they are to me."

up to

for over a decade.

permission, altering things our parents left behind. I don't think

don't want to see him

at a loss for words and turned to Lucian

for so long, it's best he returns to his hometown, Lyria. He's no

who would have usually brushed off such a trivial matter, hesitated. With Lemira's stubborn streak, any confrontation could easily escalate into full-blown discord.

Zack's departure

more suitable course of

"That

send Zack back

action.

seeing Asher agree, was

losing patience, said, "Eve, don't be difficult. Zack's from Lyria,

family. I

to coax him as she had so many times before. This time, Asher gently pushed

a matter of letting go of a