Chapter 60
Delilah eyed her eldest son with a curious blend of suspicion and warning in her voice. “You are just back home and already looking for your sister. What kind of mischief are you plotting now?”
Ever since their last falling–out, this brat had done nothing but phone her to keep an eye on her daughter. She hadn’t seen him this eager to return in ages.
Emmitt’s lips twitched into a half–smile. “Are you under some kind of misunderstanding? I was just casually asking about my little sis.”
Delilah peeled off her facial mask, revealing a damp face tinged with distaste. “Misunderstanding? Don’t you know in your own heart?”
Emmit was speechless.
“Enough, I’m done talking. I need to pamper my skin. Do whatever you please.”
After saying that, Delilah turned and headed for the bedroom. After only a couple of steps, she paused, turned back with a stern expression, and added. “And don’t you dare disturb your sister. She’s been working her tall off studying every day.”
After leaving those words hanging in the air, she disappeared into her room, so suddenly, only Emmitt and Shawn, who was engrossed in the TV, remained in the living room.
Emmitt glanced at Shawn, about to speak when Shawn stood up, switched off the TV with the remote, and yawned loudly. His words showed his fatigue, “Woke up way too early this morning. I’m beat. You should hit the hay early, too, Emmitt. Goodnight.”
Without waiting for a response. Shawn quickly retreated to his room as well.
Emmitt was stunned. Had he really become not welcomed for his parents after just a few days away?
Climbing the stairs with a sigh, he glanced at Mirabella’s room and lingered for a few seconds before pulling back and heading into his own.
The next day was Saturday, and with no classes, but Mirabella kept up her routine of an early morning jog.
After her run, as she ascended the stairs and passed by Emmitt’s door, it swung open. She hesitated for a split second. Emmitt, clad in pajamas, looked like he had just woken up. His eyes were still half–closed. He opened the door to find a sweaty Mirabella, which snapped him to alertness. “You’re…?”
Mirabella’s initial surprise faded, and her voice was calm as she volunteered, “Just got back from my morning run.”
At her words, Emmitt paused, seemingly taken aback since most people would choose to sleep in on weekends.
“I’m heading to my room,” said Mirabella, nodding politely to Emmitt in a manner that was both courteous and well–mannered.
Emmitt watched her retreating figure, momentarily lost in thought.
Twenty minutes later, Mirabella sat quietly and obediently at the breakfast table, eating at a leisurely pace. Emmitt sat across from her. His gaze drifted to her now and then. He wanted to speak but unsure what to say, and his expression was awkward.
Feeling the weight of his stare, Mirabella set down her spoon and lifted her head. Her clear, inquisitive eyes fixed on him. “Do you have something you want to say?”
Emmitt cleared his throat and, recalling the previous night’s conversation with Summer, broached, “I heard you signed up for the BrainSpark Nationals?”
“How did you know?” Mirabella asked, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
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11:38
“Summer mentioned it yesterday.” Emmitt didn’t see any reason to hide it and spoke frankly.
Mirabella raised an eyebrow and let out an “oh.” Well, she had more or less quessed as much,
“Why do you want to join that competition?” Emmitt was about to chide her for wasting time in her critical last year but held back.
Mirabella’s lips curved into a faint smile as she simply retorted, “Did you ask Summer that? What did she tell you?”
