Chapter 125
Catherine had her little tricks to mask her emotions, and Mirabella knew them all too well.
Mirabella Idly twirled a lock of damp hair that had fallen over her shoulder. Her voice was nonchalant. “Look at you, all gutsy now, sneaking back to your hometown without a peep.”
At that, Catherine chuckled nervously, a hint of fear in her voice. “Well, I wasn’t alone. Mr. James arranged for someone to bring me back.”
Mirabella let out a soft snort. “You just met the guy. What if he tricked you? Where would I find another grandma like you?”
Catherine felt a sour lump in her throat, suppressing the discomfort as she whispered, “I know James is a good man.”
“Don’t pull a vanishing act on me again, okay? If you want to go somewhere, just tell me. Do you really think I’d stop you?”
After a brief pause, Mirabella’s gaze softened, and her voice was more serious than ever. “With me here, no one will ever force you to stay somewhere you don’t like again.”
She knew Mandy had always wanted to move Catherine to the city, but Catherine was reluctant. If it hadn’t been for Mirabella returning to the Davis family, Catherine probably wouldn’t have agreed to move. It was her own selfishness that made Catherine live unhappily in the city for this time. She wanted to take care of Catherine for the sake of her body’s original owner, but she had overlooked whether the old lady wanted to be taken care of at all.
Catherine’s voice was choked as she hummed in agreement, “If Mandy gives you trouble again, don’t worry about my feelings. Do what you have to do, and don’t let yourself be wronged.”
Mirabella spoke flatly. “So, all this heartache of yours is because you overthink everything.”
Fearing the conversation would weigh on her emotions, Catherine hurriedly said, “Alright, alright, it’s getting late. I’m off to bed.” Without waiting for Mirabella to bid her goodnight, she hung up the phone.
Mirabella listened to the dial tone, chuckled, shook her head, and set the phone down. She picked up the hairdryer and continued drying her hair. Soon, there was a knock at the door.
Mirabella had just finished drying her hair. She swept it back casually and headed to the door. “Zach?”
Zach stood with his hands behind his back, more scholarly without his usual frameless glasses. He pressed his lips into a slight smile and asked, “Haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”
Mirabella looked surprised, then nodded.
Zach stepped aside, tilting his chin toward the stairwell. “Come on, I’ll whip up something for you to eat.” After a brief pause, he added, “Emmitt’s gone. No need to worry about any awkwardness.”
Chapter 125
Without any fuss, Mirabella accepted, “Well, thanks, Zach.”
They descended the stairs, one after the other. It was nearly ten o’clock, and Delilah and Shawn had already retired to their rooms.
Rolling up the sleeves of his pajamas, Zach scanned the fridge. Finding only eggs and a tomato, he touched his nose, and then turned to Mirabella with a helpless expression. “Not much to work with. How about some pasta?”
“That’s fine. I’m not picky.”
“OK,” Zach nodded and took out the eggs and tomato. “Take a seat in the living room. I’ll have it ready in a jiffy.”
Mirabella hummed softly in response but didn’t leave. Instead, she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, calmly watching the figure in the kitchen skillfully prepare the meal.
Chapter 126
