LOGINMaria, Willow, and Jonathan moved into the living room with their bowls of soup in their hands and sat around the coffee table to continue with their unfinished meal.That left Richard and Cameron alone in the dining room, staring at each other in an awkward silence. The redwood table was still filled with the unfinished dinner, but now it looked like a deserted stage. The two of them were like the ridiculous clowns left behind after the audience was already gone.In the end, Cameron was the first to break the silence.Without giving the furious Richard another glance, he picked up his briefcase and followed the other three into the living room. There was not the slightest embarrassment on his face. He still wore the same gentle, composed smile, as if the childish argument a moment ago had never happened.He walked to Maria, who was sitting on the carpet and eating her soup in small mouthfuls, then took out the revised composition from his briefcase again, the one their argument
Even Richard could hear how unconvincing he sounded.Willow, who was sitting at the table, couldn't hold back anymore. With a cold laugh, he slowly picked up a piece of barbecued rib and dropped it into his plate before casually landing the final blow.He didn't even look at Richard and spoke in a detached tone, as if he was talking to the air. "Oh, really? You were married to her for seven years and couldn't hear it then. Now you're divorced, and suddenly you've had some great awakening and can understand her music? What a miracle!"Willow's casual jab instantly rendered Richard speechless. His face flushed bright red, as if he had been stripped bare in front of everyone. He burned with shame and anger, but could not force out a single word.The atmosphere at the table turned awkward.On one side, Richard and Cameron, two equally childish men, kept bickering in a completely pointless showdown."...I can give up the whole company for her!""...I can give up myself for her.""
Things were extremely tense at the Brooks residence's dining room. The expensive redwood table was filled with dishes rich in color and aroma, all made by Richard himself. Yet at that moment, not one person at the table had much of an appetite.Richard sat at one end of the table with a dark look on his face. His eyes fixed on Cameron and Maria across from him, the two of them chatting idly.Maria had her head lowered as she quietly discussed something with Cameron. Cameron had a gentle, attentive smile on his face. He even reached out and naturally tucked a loose strand of hair behind Maria's ear.That unspoken understanding between them made the gesture feel so natural and intimate.Richard felt the jealousy inside him explode completely, swallowing every logic in his mind. He couldn't take it anymore.Bang!He suddenly slammed down the fork and knife in his hands. The utensils hit the table with a grating sound.The dining room went silent at once as everyone looked at him.
Whether Maria and Cameron were talking about music theory or exchanging thoughts on inspiration, it was a world beyond Richard. Richard's world was packed with business and numbers, and the world of music was a place he could neither reach nor enter.For the first time, he understood with painful clarity that he was an outsider. A complete outsider, shut out of their world and utterly out of place.Jonathan watched from the side, and he let out a sigh like an adult trapped in a boy's body. He leaned close to Richard's ear and whispered in a volume only the two of them could hear, "Dad, look at them. They really do have so much in common."That sentence was like adding more fuel to the fire.Richard's expression darkened even more. Under the table, he clenched his uninjured hand so hard his knuckles turned white. He used everything he had to hold back the urge to get up right then and throw that irritating man as far away from Maria as possible.Willow saw it all and deliberately
Despite the worry in their hearts, everyone's eyes turned to the door at once.Mr. Carson also mumbled to himself in confusion as he walked to the door, "Who can it be at this hour?"Cameron was standing outside, holding a bouquet of sunflowers as bright as sunshine, a calm, gentle smile on his face.The moment Maria saw him, there was surprise in her eyes. There was even a trace of guilt she could not quite hide. "Cameron? Why are you here?"The moment Willow saw Cameron, the gloom on his face vanished, as if he had just seen one of his own. He walked over warmly and even gave Cameron an affectionate pat on the shoulder. "Cameron! Come in, come in! Perfect timing, you're just in time for dinner. You haven't eaten yet, right?"Cameron walked in and handed the bright bouquet of sunflowers to Maria first. He looked at her with a gentle smile, then explained why he had come over. "I heard you're holding your own charity concert, Mari. It just so happens that I own a few private c
Richard remembered Maria liked her barbecued ribs a little sweeter. The vinegar had to go in at the very end to bring out the aroma… He could not afford to mess this up again. Not even once.Jonathan was unusually well-behaved, too. He sat on the couch after he was done watching TV. He did not beg to play video games like he usually did, and he did not turn on the TV to watch more cartoons either. Instead, he put on his headphones, curled up in the corner of the couch with a tablet, and quietly watched a silent comedy by himself.He did not want to make a sound and disturb this hard-won, fragile peace.The last light of the sun as it was setting streamed through the tall windows, washing the whole living room in a warm orange glow.In the kitchen, a man moved with quiet focus and intent. The clatter of pots and pans were the simplest sounds of everyday life.In the living room, Maria played the cello with easy grace, the music sounded ethereal. Beside her sat a boy wearing he
Kyle pulled his hand back and adjusted his sleeve. "Your wife's condition is actually quite serious."Maria's heart skipped a beat.Could he really tell just from her pulse?She glanced up at Richard.Richard's brows were furrowed tightly, his tone urgent. "What's wrong? Don't keep us hanging. S
Maria took a deep breath. She felt utterly humiliated, but she kept reminding herself that it was all for the land.She walked over."I was being too harsh yesterday. Sorry."As a mother, after being insulted by her own son, she was now being forced to apologize for hitting him.What a joke!Jo
Maria clutched the blanket, remembering when Trent had brought her that marriage certificate. She had been so happy as she took many photos of it, even hugging it to sleep. She had treasured it for seven years, only to find out it was fake.Her jaw tightened, eyes reddening from the sting.Before
Catelyn's smile froze instantly. She jumped to her feet, chest heaving, clearly fighting the urge to lose her temper as she wanted to say something a few times. Finally, she said coldly, "You can't be serious, right? Tell me you're joking. Are you?""I don't joke about things like this," Richard







