Chapter 414
Mirabella retracted her gaze, slipped into her house slippers, and made her way towards the living room.
Three people were seated on the couch, and as Mirabella approached, she could only apot her mom, Shawn, and another person. The third person’s back was turned to her, obscured by the sofa’s high back, revealing only the top of their head.
“Hey, Mom, Dad, I’m home,” Mirabella called out sweetly, her voice devoid of any curiosity to see the quest’s face. She placed her backpack on a nearby cabinet and walked over to the water dispenser, pouring herself a glass of water. Just as she took a sip, her mother’s volce floated over.
“Mira, sweetheart, why don’t you come over and say hello to Grandpa?”
At the mention of “Grandpa,” Mirabella nearly choked on her water, coughing violently as her face turned a shade of red. Once her coughing subsided, she set the glass on the dispenser and headed towards the living room.
That must be her mother’s father, she thought. She had been momentarily confused, thinking they were referring to the grandpa Catherine’s side of the family, who had passed away years ago.
Lost in thought, Mirabella’s eyes widened in shock when she got a clear view of the person on the sofa. “Holy smokes, it’s that sneaky old man!”
Donald had been facing Delilah and Shawn, but as Mirabella neared, he turned his head to look at her. Seeing the girl’s stunned expression, his lips curved into a pleased smile as he greeted her cheerfully, “My dear granddaughter, it’s been too long. I have missed you. terribly.”
Missed my foot! The usually eloquent Mirabella almost let out a swear.
Seeing her nearly explosive reaction, Donald turned back to Delilah and Shawn, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “Look at her. She’s so overjoyed, and she’s speechless.”
Mirabella was dumbfounded.
“Ha–ha, indeed, it’s been quite a while, Shawn agreed, mistaking his daughter’s shock for ecstatic surprise.
“Yes, terribly missed,” Donald suddenly feigned a choke–up, his head drooping as he began to tremble and dabbed at his eyes.
Mirabella couldn’t believe her eyes. What kind of melodramatic senior citizen was this? One moment he was all smiles, and the next, he was putting on a teaful act.
Delilah quickly handed him a box of tissues, “Oh, Mr. Donald, please don’t get so worked up. Now that you’re here, feel free to stay as long as you like. Mira will keep you
company
Mirabella’s eyebrows knitted together at her mother’s words. That wasn’t her mom’s father?
Sull pretending to dab his eyes, Donald peeked cautiously at Mirabella and asked in a low voice, “Really? Can I truly stay here?”
“Of course! We’d be delighted to have you,” Delilah assured him eagerly.
Donald paused in his act, then glanced slyly at Mirabella. “But I’m worried Mira might not want an old guy like me around.”
“That’s not true,” Delilah chuckled. “Mira’s a good girl. She’s probably even happier than we are that you’re staying.”
At that, Donald’s lips twitched. Good girl? Then who was it that he overheard on the phone last night, threatening to beat up an old man?
